Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Evading Arrest Charge
A 41-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed on an evading arrest charge Sunday afternoon, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies responded at 5:27 p.m. July 31, 2022, on County Road 3341 to check out a vehicle suspected to have been involved in a crash. The vehicle reportedly traveled at a high rate of speed despite having a flat tire, then turned into a County Road 3341 address.
Upon arrival, deputies spotted a black Nissan Altima with major damage on the driver’s side of the car. The back driver’s side wheel was also bent. A female claimed she had a blow out and hit a sign, so her husband drove the vehicle home.
When the man exited the residence, deputies alleged it was apparent the husband was intoxicated. While talking to the 51-year-old man, deputies noted he spoke with heavy, slurred speech and admitted he had been drinking, but denied operating the car.
While deputies continued their investigation to determine who had actually been driving the car when it was damaged, the deputies asked the man to step off of his porch. The Sulphur Springs man, however, allegedly told them no, then took off on foot away from deputies toward the interior of the home. Deputies chased him, taking him to the ground just as he was about to enter the residence. Once on the ground, the man allegedly ignored the deputies’ commands. After a brief struggle, the man complied and was taken into custody at 5:40 p.m. Sunday,
The 51-year-old rural Sulphur Springs resident was booked into Hopkins County jail at 8:43 p.m. July 31, 2022, on the evading arrest or detention charge, then released Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, on a $2,000 bond on the misdemeanor charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
KSST does not publish the photos or names of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
4 Jailed In Hopkins County On Felony Warrants
At least 4 people were jailed in Hopkins County on felony warrants from July 26 to Aug. 1, 2022, according to arrest and jail reports.
During an undercover investigation by Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit, a quantity of methamphetamine was purchased from Brandon Nicholas Carrell, SCU Lt. Mark Estes alleged in arrest reports. SCU then obtained a warrant for the 40-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s arrest.
Carrell was taken into custody at 3:45 p.m. Aug. 1, 2022, on East Shannon Road by Estes and SSPD Sgt. Brandon Mayes, on the manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. He remained in Hopkins County jail Aug. 2, 2022. Bond on the second-degree felony charge was set at $35,000, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a tip that a wanted woman had left a residence and was walking the area of FM 1567 Saturday morning. Sgt. Richard Greer located Samantha Gail Crotzer at 9:54 a.m. July 30, 2022, on FM 1567 at County Road 1197 and took the woman into custody.
The 35-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was booked into jail at 11:01 a.m. Saturday on the possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance; the offense, Greer noted in arrest reports, is alleged to have occurred on May 14, 2022.
Crotzer was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, July 31, 2022, on a $10,000 bond on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Corrections Officer Courtney Steward took Dustin James Thomas into custody at 10:39 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2022, on a warrant for burglary of a habitation. Steward escorted Thomas to Hopkins County jail, where the 20-year-old Brashear man was booked in at 1:01 p.m. on the warrant. The offense, Steward noted in arrest reports, is alleged to have occurred on April 9, 2022.
Thomas was released from the county jail on Saturday, July 30, 2022, on a $30,000 bond on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
HCSO Deputy Terry Thompson traveled to Ellis County, took custody of Sidney Pierre Runnels at 9:10 a.m. July 26, 2022, and transported him from Ellis County jail to Hopkins County jail on bench warrant.
Runnels, who jail reports show is also known by the aliases Sidney Fitzgerald, Sidney Gray, Sidney Groucho and William John Judkins, was booked into Hopkins County jail at 12:25 p.m. July 26, 2022, on warrants or bond forfeiture on a possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, as well as misdemeanor warrants for failure to drive in a single lane, insufficient bond on a failure to identify as a fugitive and on a driving while intoxicated charge. All four offenses, according to jail records, are alleged to have occurred on Dec. 4, 2021.
The 47-year-old Waxahachie man remained in Hopkins County jail Aug. 2, 2022. His bond was set at $2,000 on the latter two charges, according to jail reports.
Texas Joins Nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force
The State of Texas is joining a nationwide Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force with 49 other states to investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies responsible for bringing a majority of foreign robocalls into the United States. This bipartisan nationwide Task Force has one goal: to cut down on illegal robocalls, Texas Attorney General Paxton announced Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in a news release.
The Task Force has issued 20 civil investigative demands to 20 gateway providers and other entities alleged to be responsible for a majority of foreign robocall traffic. Gateway providers that bring foreign traffic into the U.S. telephone network have a responsibility to ensure the traffic is legal, but these providers are turning a blind eye to robocall traffic, Paxton contends in the release. The Task Force is designed to help reduce the number of robocalls Texans receive and provide incentives to companies that are following the rules.
“Robocalls have become a nationwide problem and I’m proud to join my fellow Attorneys General to put a stop to the incessant interruptions these calls inflict on Texans every day,” Attorney General Paxton said. “We will take this fight to all who assist or enable these scam calls. If the telecom industry refuses to create and comply with reasonable regulations, then our Task Force will demand compliance.”
According to the National Consumer Law Center and Electronic Privacy Information Center, over 33 million scam robocalls are made to Americans every day. These scam calls include phony Social Security Administration calls to seniors, Amazon scams against consumers, and many other frauds targeting consumers, especially vulnerable citizens. An estimated $29.8 billion dollars was stolen through scam calls in 2021. Most of this scam robocall traffic originates overseas. The Task Force is focused on shutting down the providers that profit from this illegal traffic and who refuse to take steps to prevent these scam calls, Paxton reported in the release.
The AG offers the following tips to avoid scams and unwanted calls:
- Be wary of callers who specifically ask you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. For example, the Internal Revenue Service does not accept iTunes gift cards.
- Look out for prerecorded calls from imposters posing as government agencies. Typically, the Social Security Administration does not make phone calls to individuals.
- If you suspect fraudulent activity, do not provide any personal information and immediately hang up.
- File a Do Not Call or Text complaint here: File a Consumer Complaint | Office of the Attorney General (texasattorneygeneral.gov) or print and mail the form below o: Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, PO Box 12548, Austin, TX 78711-2548. You will need the following information to file a complaint:
- The name of the business or individual you’re filing a complaint against
- The business/individual’s full address, including zip code
- A detailed description of your complaint
- Explanation of how you came into contact with the business/individual
- Transaction dates and amounts
- Contract information (when appropriate) with payment details
- How you may have attempted to resolve the dispute, including the names of people you spoke with.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report — July 25-31, 2022
Winnsboro Police Department each week provides a media report with information about department activity. WPD activity for the week of July 25-31, 2022, included:
Arrests
- Kelli Griffeth, 39 years of age, of Winnsboro was arrested on June 30, 2022, on Winnsboro Municipal Court Warrants for two Driving While License charges; and one charge each for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Expired Registration, Expired Driver’s License, and Operating Unregistered Motored Vehicle.
- Angalic Ballard, 31 years of age, of Cumby, was arrested on July 31, 2022, Driving While License Invalid with Previous Convictions.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 148 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 39 citations and 44 warnings during this reporting period.
Chamber Connection – Aug. 3: Time For The Annual Chamber Photography Contest
Next Business Before Hours Coming Up This Friday At Chamber, Jettribe Mid-America WaterX Championship Is This Weekend At Coleman Park
By Butch Burney, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
It’s time once again for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual photography contest!
The photography contest is open to anyone who resides in Hopkins County. We have seven categories: Natural World, Travel, Family and People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children (for photographers up to 18 years of age).
Photographs must have been taken in Hopkins County no earlier than Jan. 1, 2021.
See the rules on our website, HopkinsChamber.org. You can also upload your photos to our website to enter. The deadline to enter is Aug. 31.
Stewing About It
Registration for the 53rd Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, presented by Alliance Bank, set for Oct. 22, is open.
To register, go online to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org/stewcooks, email [email protected] or call 903-885-6515. The cost to enter is $100 per stew pot, with $150 coming from the sponsor to pay for ingredients.
This year, stew cooks can also pre-order a T-shirt with “Stew Cook” on the back for $15.
Register now to reserve your spot from last year.
We also are taking applications for our vendor market at the stew. Cost is $75 for Chamber members, $100 for nonmembers. Go to our website at HopkinsChamber.org or call Amanda at 903-885-6515 to register.
Our sponsorship letters will go out this week, so be looking for those!
Stewcomers Meeting
For those who are interested in cooking up a pot of stew for the Stew Festival, the Chamber will have a Stewcomers meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11.
Participating in the meeting does not obligate you to cook in the Stew Fest, but it will give you information on the process, including recipes, timelines and what to expect. Email [email protected] for more information on the meeting.
Leadership Apps Available
Leadership Sulphur Springs is back for another year, and registration has begun.
Leadership Sulphur Springs is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. The course was created in 1989 with the concept of offering leadership training and community involvement for emerging business and community leaders. It is a nine-month session, with meetings held once a month.
Applicants should have lived or worked in Hopkins County for at least a year, have demonstrated a concern for the community, possesses high standards of persona quality and integrity, willing to commit the time required for the program, have the endorsement of their employer to take the necessary time away from work.
To apply, go to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org, email [email protected] or call 903-885-6515.
The cost is $500, usually paid by the applicant’s employer.
Breakfast Hours
Come get some breakfast treats during the Chamber’s next Business Before Hours, hosted by Nunez Roofing, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5, at the Chamber office.
Whether you’re a member of the Chamber or not, come on for one of the best networking events.
Jet Ski Championships
It is race week in Sulphur Springs! Four day of championship jet ski racing is coming to Lake Coleman Thursday, Aug. 4-Sunday, Aug. 7, for the Jettribe Mid-America WaterX Championship. Racers from all over the USA, and even as far away as Australia and England, will battle it out to see who takes home the championship trophy. Spectators can watch for free from the shores of Lake Coleman, just bring some shade and chairs.
The Pro Racer Show will be on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. There will be food, ice cream, power sports merchants, and family games.
Check out Jettribe.com/jettribe-waterx/ for more information!
On Wednesday, Aug. 3, at Lake Coleman, Jettribe will offer a free clinic for any first time beginner racers of any age. Waiver signing starts at 3 p.m., clinic lasts from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. All stand-up and runabout skis riders are welcome. Come out and get to know what racing is all about.
Ribbon Cuttings
- The CHRISTUS Mobile Athletic Training Room was officially unveiled Monday morning at Gerald Prim Stadium. It will be available to 22 school districts in the CHRISTUS service area. There are plans to do a tailgate before one of the Sulphur Springs Wildcat football home games.
- Legend Dairy Heifer, an ice cream and refreshment truck, had a ribbon cutting with its unique vehicle at the Chamber office at noon Friday, July 29. Please welcome them to the community.
Sulphur Springs City Council Has Busy Night Ahead With Workshop Followed By Regular Meeting
Sulphur Springs City Council has a busy night ahead with a workshop scheduled at 5:30 p.m., followed by the regular monthly meeting at 7 tonight (Aug. 2, 2022).
The workshop focus will be on a proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-2023. City staff are continually updating and working on finances. They will present their first proposal for discussion during the 5:30 p.m. work session, which will then be revised based on discussions and continued work and be presented for official consideration during a future City Council meeting.
When the City Council reconvenes in regular session at 7 p.m. Aug. 2, 2022, in the Council Chambers at Sulphur Springs Municipal Building (City Hall), the elected officials will be asked to consider three new proposed ordinances and on second reading two additional ordinances, as well as a resolution, a contract and large equipment purchase.
Ordinance No. 2806 — Reinvestment Zone
Presented for second and, if approved, final reading is Ordinance No. 2806, which would create a reinvestment zone for D6 Inc. The City Council approved the reinvestment zone for the plastics recycler and advanced design-to-shelf packaging manufacturer during the regular July 5 city meeting.
The business began operations at the end of 2020 after purchasing the property known locally as the old Coca-Cola plant, after being granted a Chapter 380 economic development agreement from the City of Sulphur Springs, another tax incentive from Hopkins County and a tax abatement from Hopkins County Hospital District. The business had projected adding 25 jobs to the local economy but, thus far, has added over 70 jobs, according to Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Roger Feagley.
Now, the business is not only planning two further expansions, but will be relocating it’s corporate headquarters from Portland, Oregon to Sulphur Springs, Texas. In October of 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a $1,432,200 Texas Enterprise Fund grant and a $6,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus for D6 to help move its corporate headquarters from Portland, Oregon to Sulphur Springs, Texas.
When the pandemic began, D6 Inc. shifted to making face shields and masks. The latest project will expand the business’ manufacturing presence in the state, building the first fully closed-loop recycling site for single-use PET clamshells in Sulphur Springs.
Overall, the business is expected to expand the current operation by 300,000-square feet, with a 180,000-square-foot building to be constructed as soon as the business can get everything in line and another 120,000-square-foot building expansion in three years. The new buildings will be located on the Saputo (old We Pack) property just across from the current facility, on the 10 acres the EDC has near the railroad tracks, EDC officials reported in 2021.
Ordinance No. 2807 — Rezoning Request
The City Council too will be asked to consider approving on second and, if approved, final reading a request from Andrea and Malachi Sandoval to rezone property at 1659 Arbala Road. The request would be for 0.93-acre at the northwest corner of an 11-acre parcel of land the Sandovals own on Arbala Road, just off Wildcat Way be rezoned from single family to light commercial.
Sulphur Springs Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski earlier this summer reported that it is his understanding that the change would allow the applicants to construct a coffee shop on that corner, but at present there are no structures on it. Mini self storage is planned behind the 0.93-acre parcel, according to city officials and the sign posted on the property.
The land use plan along Wildcat Way identifies it as a future commercial corridor. The property in the area is zoned mostly commercial in all directions except to the west, which is single family, and most of the land is vacant, with the exception of a single family home to the east that is currently zoned heavy commercial, according to Niewiadomski
The P&Z Commission approved the measure June 20 as meeting zoning requirements, but added one stipulation at the recommendation of city staff: the applicant must subdivide the lots according to the rezoning request. That was forwarded to the City Council, who after discussions gave approval on first reading of the proposed Ordinance No. 2807. If approved tonight, it will become final.
Ordinance No. 2808 — Texas Enterpriser Zone Recommendation
The City Council too is asked to consider on first reading amending Ordinance No. 2395 relating to the city’s participation in Texas Enterprise Zone Program, to expand the list of local incentives offered and nominate Ashoka Steel Mills, LLC, to the Office of the Governor’s Economic Development And Tourism through the economic development bank as an enterprise project.
Ashoka Steel Mill is considering two locations on which to locate a new branch of the business, and Sulphur Springs is one of the two. Ashoka officials anticipate asking for incentives from Hopkins County, the City of Sulphur Springs, Sulphur Springs ISD and Hopkins County Hospital District as well, which Ashoka indicated would be determining factors in whether or not the business will open a sizeable facility in Sulphur Springs — which could be among two of the company’s first manufacturing facility in the US. Tulsa, Oklahoma is also in the running to for a new Ashoka facility.
Ashoka has already submitted an application to SSISD asking for an agreement for a tax incentive. SSISD’s attorneys have reviewed the documents and submitted them to the Texas Comptroller’s office. If approved by the Comptroller, then SSISD could consider approving the application from Ashoka Steel Mills LLC. for appraised value limitation on qualified property.
In June 2022, the City Council approved on second reading Ordinance No. 2805, creating a reinvestment zone for Ashoka Steel Mills so the business can apply to Hopkins County Hospital District for a tax abatement.
The company is looking to make a $265 million investment, which would create over 300 jobs, would be a boost to the local economy, the school board was told April 11, 2022. Talent would be mostly local, with a few experts in from Italy and Germany to help during the construction period and potentially with training of technicians and engineers.
The Ashoka Steel Mill would be located in the center of the City of Sulphur Springs’ property which previously housed a coal mine. It would initially occupy about 250 acres, with a 150 acre expansion later, out of the total 4,857-acre former Thermo/Luminant mine property, officials were told Monday.
The proposed electric arc furnace steel mill would produce 350,000 tons of rebar annually. The facility, according to documentation in the application, would use an electric arc to heat metals instead of a blast furnace. The mill estimates 402,500 tons of scrap metal from local areas would be used to produce the rebar; the steel recycling, according to the application, would reduce carbon emissions. The scrap metal would be brought in mainly by rail, amounting to an estimated 8,000 railcars a year, and about 40 trucks.
The business received first approval earlier in the summer and second approval on July 5, 2022, to establish a reinvestment zone for a period of 5 years, renewable for an additional 5 years.
The City Council at the Aug. 2 meeting will be asked to consider approving Ordinance No. 2808, which would recommend the business for additional incentives at the state level if Ashoka does indeed opt to build in Sulphur Springs.
Fire Department Agenda Items
Two items on the Tuesday evening agenda could impact Sulphur Springs Fire Department.
First, the City Council is asked to consider approving on first reading Ordinance No. 2809, which would establish and implement a program to charge mitigation rates for costs incurred during the deployment of emergency and non-emergency services, equipment, and first responders by SSFD, which were provided to non-residents of Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County. Second, the City Council will be asked to consider approving for purchase a Sutphen Rescue Pumper for SSFD.
Additional Agenda Items
City staff are expected to present for City Council consideration proposals for employee health insurance, then make a recommendation of a contract for reinsurance of the city employee health insurance program.
The proposed Ordinance 2810 would amend Ordinance No. 889, approved in 1982, and redefine and authorize locations for video gaming facilities, premises, and devices within the City of Sulphur Springs.
Resolution No. 1308 asks the City Council to appoint directors and a chairman to the Board of Directors of the City of Sulphur Springs Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone #1 and provide an effective date for them.
The City Manager is slated to give his monthly report of capital improvements, municipal operations, accidents and claims for the month of July, and Assistant City Manager Lesa Smith may provide a review of expenditures and revenues.
The consent agenda submitted for approval under one motion unless a Council member requests otherwise includes the minutes from the July 5 City Council meeting and June 27 EDC meeting, as well as a 380 agreement for 327 Magnolia Street.
Visitors may be recognized and city residents or business people who sign up in advance may address the City Council during the public forum portion of the regular Aug. 2, 2022, City Council meeting.
Wanted Man Allegedly Had Meth In Sock When Found In Abandoned Barn
Sulphur Springs Woman Jailed On Probation Warrant
A Sulphur Springs man and woman were arrested Sunday on probation warrants; the man also allegedly had meth when found in an abandoned barn.
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Francisco Castro and Sean Hoffman received a tip that Jeramie Jermaine Smith could be found at a Major’s Drive address. They located him inside an abandoned barn.
He had a white rock and a clear pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine and containing a meth residue in his sock. Also found in the 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s sock was a small plastic container with two shards of a crystal-like substance suspected to be meth.
Jeramie Smith, who is also known by the alias Jeramie Tremaine Smith, was taken into custody at 12:32 p.m. July 31, 2022, on the warrant for violation of probation on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. He was transported to jail, where he was booked in at 1:41 p.m. Sunday, not only on the warrant but also a new possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, Castro and Hoffman alleged in arrest reports.
The 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in lieu of the $10,000 bond set on the probation charge and a $50,000 bond set on the new controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Also arrested Sunday on a violation of probation warrant was Angelia Nicole Smith. SSPD Officers Sean Hoffman and Francisco Castro served the 28-year-old Sulphur Springs woman with the warrant at 8:55 a.m. July 31, 2022, at a Calvert Street residence.
She was booked into Hopkins County jail at 9:38 a.m. July 31, 2022, for violation of probation, which she was on for possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
She remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in lieu of the $250,000 bond set on the charge, according to jail records.
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.
SSPD: Van Sickle Street Search Warrant Yields Meth, THC Marijuana, 3 Arrests
Como Traffic Stop Results In 1 Felony Arrest
When Sulphur Springs Police and Special Crimes Unit investigators executed a search warrant at a Van Sickle Street address at 5 p.m. Sunday, they found suspected methamphetamine, THC, marijuana and drug paraphernalia and took three people into custody, according to arrest reports. In an unrelated incident, a Brashear man was accused Sunday of trying to discard meth pipe under a car during a Como traffic stop, according to sheriff’s reports.
Van Sickle Street Search
SCU Lt. Mark Estes reported finding a crystal-like substance in the night stand directly beside Barbara Jeanne Schmidt’s bed. The 65-year-old Sulphur Springs woman admitted to having the meth and was taken into custody at 6:30 p.m. July 31, 2022 and transported to jail, SSPD Officer Sean Hoffman and Lt. Estes noted in arrest reports.
Lt. Estes reported another Van Sickle Street resident, Mark Anthony Robinson, claimed ownership of a box containing drug paraphernalia, marijuana and THC found under a couch. The 53-year-old Sulphur Springs man was also arrested at 6:30 p.m. and transported to jail.
The officers also reported finding a 38-year-old staying at the Van Sickle Street residence, after being warned by police to stay away. Dispatchers confirmed an active criminal trespass warning on file prohibiting the woman from being at the Van Sickle Street address. Consequently, the officers also took her into custody around 6:30 p.m. July 31, 2022, and transported her to jail. She was booked into jail at 7:52 p.m. Sunday on a Class B misdemeanor criminal trespass charge, according to arrest reports.
Schmidt was booked into Hopkins County jail at 7:21 p.m. Sunday for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance; a drug-free zone enhancement was added due to the proximity of the address to a childcare facility. She was released from jail Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, on a $5,000 bond on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Robinson was booked into jail at 7:40 p.m. July 31 for possession of less than 2 ounces of the Penalty Group 2 controlled substance THC in a drug-free zone. He remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, in lieu of the $5,000 bond set on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
KSST does not publish the photos or names of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
Como Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite reported stopping a black Toyota 4-Runner at 2:19 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022, on Gaskins Street at Katy Street in Como, after seeing the eastbound SUV fail to stop at the designated stopping point at the intersection of State Highway 11 east at FM 69 south, then turn north on FM 69 south.
The front seat passenger reportedly admitted to being a felon and later claimed he was nervous. When the driver of the SUV refused permission to search its contents for potential contraband, the deputy said he had both men step out of the SUV. The passenger was hesitant to step out of the SUV, but did get out to await a police canine for a sniff search around the vehicle, Fite alleged in arrest reports.
A short time later, Fite and Deputy Kevin Lester alleged in arrest reports, the driver changed his mind about letting the deputies search the vehicle. “The driver stated it was too hot outside to wait for a K9 and he had placed to be and insisted we search his vehicle,” deputies wrote in arrest reports.
While conducting the search, one of the deputies reported stepping on a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine lying under the rear passenger’s side door. He placed the Christopher Shane Freeman into custody at 2:38 p.m. July 31, 2022, pending further investigation of the paraphernalia. After the search, the driver was released with a verbal warning for the traffic violation, while 48-year-old Freeman was taken to jail.
Once at the jail, Fite reviewed his car dashcam video, which he reported showed Freeman making furtive movement after exiting the vehicle. A glass pipe then fell to the ground, where it was later recovered by the deputy. As a result, the Brashear man was booked into the county jail at 4:24 p.m. July 31, 2022, for tampering with evidence. Freeman was released from Hopkins County jail on a $2,000 bond on the felony charge Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.
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.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Obstetrics Now Includes Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic In Sulphur Springs
August Is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month
By Jennifer Heitman, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
According to the CDC, breastfeeding has health benefits for both babies and mothers. Breast milk provides a baby with ideal nutrition and supports growth and development. Here are five great benefits of breastfeeding:
- Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies: as the baby grows, the mother’s breast milk will change to meet her baby’s nutritional needs.
- Breastfeeding can help protect babies against some short- and long-term illnesses and diseases: breastfed babies have a lower risk of asthma, obesity, type I diabetes and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). They are also less likely to have ear infections and stomach bugs.
- Breast milk shares antibodies from the mother with her baby.
- Mothers can breastfeed anytime and anywhere.
- Breastfeeding can reduce the mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type II diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Would you like to learn more about breastfeeding your baby? Our hospital has a lactation consultant at your service for assistance, and we offer a FREE virtual breastfeeding class every month. Call 903.439.4091 for more information, or to sign up for a class.
Sports Medicine
FREE Saturday Athletic Injury Clinic for student athletes is back this month! Starting August 20, a Saturday sports injury clinic will be held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. through November 12. Student athletes in Hopkins County from 7th grade to college age will be able to get a free exam and x-ray to determine a plan of care to treat their injury.
The clinic will be held at our CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Orthopedics, Medical Building 5, at 103B Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs. For more information about our Sports Medicine program or Orthopedic services, please call 903.885.6688.
Maternal Fetal Medicine
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Obstetrics now includes a Maternal Fetal Medicine clinic here in Sulphur Springs.
OBGYN Physician Dr. Martin Fielder says: “Having high risk maternity care here in Sulphur Springs means our pregnant patients with the most risks won’t have to leave the county to receive specialist care. Leveraging our extensive experience with telemedicine, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic can now offer access to the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists in Tyler, Texas to our patients in the Sulphur Springs service area. They will utilize the latest technology 3D/4D ultrasound machine generously gifted by our Hopkins County Health Care Foundation to evaluate and care for our high risk mothers.”
High risk pregnancies include conditions such as those that involve a mother with a complicated disease process such as diabetes, heart condition, or who has experienced recurrent pregnancy loss. There are those that involve an unborn baby or babies with a difficult diagnosis such as congenital heart disease or a genetic condition, or those where both mother and baby are affected with complex conditions.
Our provider team includes Darryl Doughtie, MD; Martin Fielder, MD; and Certified Nurse Midwife Deb Logan. To schedule an appointment, please call 903.439.4917.
COVID Vaccine Clinic Dates
Net Health continues to offer Adult and Pediatric vaccines and boosters every three weeks at the clinic on 100 Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs. The clinic will be held on the following dates:
- August 22-26
- September 19-23
- October 17-21.
You may walk in from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. No appointment is necessary.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
CHRISTUS Introduces Newest Resource — A Mobile Athletic Training Room
Approximately 40-50 attended a special ribbon cutting ceremony Monday morning, Aug. 1, 2022, to introduce CHRISTUS’ newest resource — a Mobile Athletic Training Room or MATR (pronounced mater), a specially equipped trailer designed to assist at athletic meets and games. The unit will add to the services available to student athletes who are injured during athletic events or practices.
Holding the ribbon cutting in the parking lot at Gerald Prim Stadium was appropriate as the trailer will be located at the stadium in Sulphur Springs most of the time, particularly during home football games.
“This is not an RV trailer. What we have in here and what we will have in here is state of the art equipment to take care of our athletes in Hopkins County and our service area. We’ve got bout 22 high schools that we work with now,” CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs CEO Paul Harvey said of the schools the hospital serves. “Dr. [Chris] Meltsakos and our athletic trainers will be involved in a lot of our games throughout Friday night games coming up this fall throughout our service area. So, we are real thankful for the energy and time that they are going to spend on this.”
Harvey noted the process to make the new CHRISTUS Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute mobile trailer come to fruition has been a 1 1/2 year journey that would not have been possible without a number of individuals and groups working together to make it happen.
Harvey offered thanks to Shannon Barker, who served as Hopkins County Health Care Foundation director until recently, for the many hours of work she put in initially to help the project get up and running. He also thanked the Health Care Foundation Board for the dedication and effort they put into the project, including coming up with creative ways to make the Mobile Athletic Training Room (MATR) possible, and Sharla Campbell who lead the effort.
Sharla Campbell, on behalf of the Health Care Foundation Board, extended thanks to Alliance Bank for partnering with them to bring the opportunity to the community.
“As a mother, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to CHRISTUS and to Alliance Bank and the other companies that support the Foundation. It’s a blessing to know that I am raising our children in a community that will and can take care of them, especially since it looks like I’m going to need a standing reservation for our daughter,” Campbell said with a laugh.
Harvey recognized “Tom Sellers and the fantastic team from Alliance Bank,” who embraced the healthcare professionals’ dream to make the mobile center possible as a means to better serve area athletes.
“I am just so pleased and thankful to have Alliance Bank to be part of this effort. I’d just like to recognize Tom and his team right now,” Harvey said of Sellers, Alliance Bank’s Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.
“I just wanted to say thank you personally to Alliance Bank and the Health Care Foundation for all you guys do for us. We couldn’t have done this project without you and we are so proud to have this in Sulphur springs,” said Jennifer Heitman, senior market development representative for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
The Hospital CEO too offered thanks to Sulphur Springs ISD Superintendent Mike Lamb for his part in the planning process for the MATR. Harvey and Kyle Lemarr, coordinator for sports medicine, met many time with Lamb “to make sure we were on the right track with this whole process, not only from what we do from an athletic training standpoint but really how to take care of our athletes — not just in football but in every sport that each high school has, how can CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs make a difference from that standpoint.”
“We are just real pleased to support our community. We are very pleased to be able to support student athletes and provide for them across the market and in our county. That’s very important for us, supporting efforts by the school in any manner and also support of our hospital. I’ve said many times we are blessed to have a hospital of the caliber we have in this community. A lot of communities ours size do not have that and we appreciate very much all the hospital does in health care and in support they give the community. We are just thrilled to be a partner with them and look to continue partnerships in the future,” Sellers said.
“I can’t thank Alliance Bank enough for all the support. When Mr. Harvey, Shannon and I went with him to Alliance Bank, we pitched what we are doing and they said immediately, ‘What do you need?’ That was a blessing, the support you show for our community is really awesome not only will this allow athletes to go back to play it allows them to play safely. That’s the most important goal, being able to have the tools, being able to evaluate them in an athlete training room, to do it properly . I can’t thank you enough,” sports medicine coordinator Kyle Lemarr said.
Lemarr also noted that Meltsakos and has been a blessing to the community, especially the athletes during the last few years.
Meltsakos too thanked “everybody for their support” in attaining the MATR, noting that it is “a beautiful, wonderful thing to be able to help these athletes.” The resources will allow not only early diagnosis of injury for athletes but also help get them back on their feet sooner.
The Health Care Foundation Board last month approved purchase of the final piece of equipment to go into the trailer to make it fully operational, a state of the art mobile x-ray machine to fit inside of a moving trailer. It’s not arrived soon but will be added as soon as it’s available. The MATR already has tables and other stations on which to seat or position athletes who are being seen by the orthopedic trainers and staff.
During football games, the trailer will be parked behind the stadium on the visitors side, where buses are typically parked. That will make it visible and give better accessibility to the field. The tailgate of the trailer lowers so athletes can be driven or carried over on a golf cart if needed.
Starting this fall, in September, Meltsakos will be joined by another orthopedic surgeon, who will be the only hand specialist in this part of North Texas. He and Meltsakos have already been planning regarding orthopedic service offerings.
The MATR will supplement service already offered in Sulphur Springs. In addition to the specialized staff, the CHRISTUS Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute also for the past couple of years has offered Saturday sports injury clinic.
Starting Aug. 20, a Saturday sports injury clinic will be resume every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Nov. 12 at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Orthopedics, Medical Building 5, at 103B Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs. Student athletes in Hopkins County from 7th grade to college age will be able to get a free exam and x-ray to determine a plan of care to treat their injury. For more information about our Sports Medicine program or Orthopedic services, please call 903.885.6688.
