Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Felony DWI Charge
A 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed early Sunday morning on a felony DWI charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Silas Whaley responded in the 100 block of East Shannon Road to a report of a suspected drunk driver at 1:54 a.m. Sunday, June 10, 2022. The officer was given a vehicle license plate number and told the person in question appeared to have passed out in the driver’s seat, behind the wheel of a truck.
Upon arrival at the fast food restaurant, Whaley located the silver Chevrolet Silverado in question and contacted the man in the driver’s seat. The officer in arrest reports said he detected an alcoholic beverage odor emitting from the 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s breath. Joshua Cruz also had bloodshot, glassy eyes and slurred speech, leading the officer to believe the man likely was intoxicated, according to arrest reports.
Cruz reportedly agreed to perform standard field sobriety tests. Upon completion of the tests, Whaley determined Cruz had operated the truck in a public place while intoxicated. As a result, Cruz was taken into custody at 2:06 a.m. July 10, 2022, and transported to jail. When the Sulphur Springs man agreed to a blood specimen for testing, the blood sample was drawn for analysis at the hospital emergency room.
Cruz was returned to jail, where he was booked in at 3:34 a.m. July 10, 2022, for third or more driving while intoxicated charge. He was released later Sunday, July 10, on a $10,000 bond on the felony DWI charge, according to jail reports.
Jail records show Cruz has twice before been booked into Hopkins County jail on DWI charges, on June 7, 2018, and again on March 2, 2019.
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.
PCP Found During Traffic Stop
Woman Jailed On Controlled Substance Warrant
An out-of-state pair was jailed after PCP was founding in their possession during a routine traffic stop early Monday morning. A Sulphur Springs woman was arrested Saturday on a controlled substance warrant, according to arrest reports.
PCP Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Drew Fisher reported stopping John Davis Fowler at 1:43 a.m. July 11, 2022, on the south Interstate service road at FM 275 for failure to drive a Cadillac ATS in a single lane. Upon contact, Fisher noted the 41-year-old Hugo, Oklahoma man who’d been driving appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance. Fowler had slurred speech and appeared confused, Fisher reported.
Fisher and Sgt. Tanner Steward continued investigating, conducting standard field sobriety tests and detaining Fowler. Deputies later located a small vial that contained what was believed to be PCP liquid on the ground beside Fowler, Fisher alleged in arrest reports.
Fowler reportedly gave deputies permission to search the car. They found a vial containing suspected PCP in the seat of passenger, 42-year-old Shawn Antwan Lewis of Bakersfield, California, according to arrest reports.
Fowler and Lewis were taken into custody at 2:06 a.m. July 11, 2022, and transported to jail, where each was booked in for just before 4 a.m. July 11, 2022, for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, the suspected PCP.
Deputies were unable to weigh the liquid alone, so the final weight of the suspected PCP will be determined during lab analysis, Fisher noted in arrest reports.
Both men remained in Hopkins County jail later Monday, July 11, 2022.
Warrant Arrest
HCSO Deputy Isaac Foley reported seeing Linda Ann Miears, a woman he knew had outstanding warrants, at 9:40 p.m. Saturday, July 9, 2022, operating a Hyundai SUV on Gilmer Street. So, he initiated at traffic stop in the 800 block of Gilmer Street.
Foley reported taking the 57-year-old Sulphur Springs woman into custody and transported her to Hopkins County jail. Miears was booked in on possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair warrants. The offenses, Foley alleged in arrest reports, occurred on May 27, 2022, on Connally Street at Garrison Street.
Miears — who jail records show is also known by Linda Burrows Miears, Linda Ann Miears Burrows, Linda Ann Burrows Miears and Linda Ann Ann Miers — remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, July 11, 2022. Her bonds totaled $30,000 — $15,000 per charge.
Sgt. Tanner Steward was credited with assisting with the arrest.
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.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report —July 3-10, 2022
Winnsboro Police Department each week provides a media report with information about department activity. WPD activity for the week of July 3-10, 2022, included:
Arrests
- Ed Lugo, 38 years of age, of Tulsa, OK., was arrested on July 3, 2022, on Possession of less than 2 ounces of Marijuana, Possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B Controlled Substance, and Possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 Controlled Substance charges.
- Dustin Cook, 38 years of age, of Quinlan, was arrested on July 4, 2022, on Van Zandt County warrants for Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon, Unlawful Restraint Exposed-Serious bodily injury, and Assault of a Family or Household Member that Impeded Breath, and a Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole warrant.
- Jeffery Merchant,35 years of age, of Terrell, was arrested on July 4, 2022, on a Wood County Warrant for Release of Surety Bond – Interfere with Public Duties.
- Juan Castillo, 24 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on July 4, 2022, on 6 Class C Winnsboro Municipal Court warrants.
- Miranda Collins, 36 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on July 7, 2022, on Criminal Trespass and Evading Arrest charges.
- Remington Hanes, 31 years of age, of Scroggins, was arrested on July 10, 2022, driving while license invalid with previous convictions.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 137 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 25 citations and 26 warnings during this reporting period.
Reinvestment Zones Established For D6 Inc. Extension, 1 Potential New Business
The establishment of reinvestment zones by Sulphur Springs City Council advanced two businesses one step closer to construction in Sulphur Springs. 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. D6 Inc. LLC plans to expand its current location, then in stages relocate its corporate headquarters from Portland to Sulphur Springs.
Establishing reinvestment zones does not commit the city to any tax incentives, but does allow certain taxing entities to consider granting tax incentives for businesses located within them.
Ashoka Steel Mills
The City Council first considered on second and final reading Ordinance No. 2805, creating a reinvestment zone for Ashoka Steel Mills, a business the Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation has been recruiting for development in Hopkins County.
Ashoka Steel Mills anticipates 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 .
The City of Sulphur Springs was asked to consider approving Ordinance No. 2805, establishing the reinvestment zone, required for Ashoka to 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 appraised value limitation requested for Ashoka Steel Mill LLC would limit the amount of property value considered when the business’ SSISD maintenance and operations taxes are figured for 10 years. The minimum required qualified investment for project for SSISD to consider the application is $30 million. That’s the amount of appraised value limitation for which Ashoka Steel is applying, according to the applications received by SSISD and submitted to Texas Comptroller’s Office for consideration for Chapter 313 agreement.
Sulphur Springs City Council during the regular meeting on July 5, 2022, agreed on second and final hearing to establish a reinvestment zone for a period of 5 years, renewable for an additional 5 years.
D6 Inc., LLC
Sulphur Springs City Council also on July 5, 2022, approved on first reading Ordinance No. 2806, a reinvestment zone for D6 Inc., LLC, an advanced design-to-shelf packaging manufacturer, using recycled plastics.
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, an agreement with 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.
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.
D6 Inc. uses materials shredded at an LA plant and shipped in carloads along the railroad to be offloaded to make aluminum pans that can be thrown away after use, pie pans, Danish trays. They also make the clear plastic containers and packaging in which cut fruit and vegetables are packaged in for sale at Walmart. In addition to recycled aluminum and plastic, the business also uses recycles plastic bottle tops to make plastic pallets.
The business is approaching the relocation and expansion in three phases. D6 Inc. plans to build expand the current facility by 66,000 square feet, because the business has already outgrown the Coca-Cola facility.
SS-HC EDC Executive Director Roger Feagley told Hopkins County Commissioners Court on June 10, 2022, when presenting for consideration a 381 agreement for the 66,000-square foot expansion.
“They’re going to add the 66,000, which basically completely fills that lot up with buildings. With this building there, that completely fills that lot. This agreement most likely won’t see it to the end, because by the time they finish the 300,000 square foot building, it’s their intention right now to sell what they’ve got now. We’re trying to get them moving because they’re just falling over each other,” Feagley said at a previous meeting.
D6 Inc. plans to tackle the 300,000 square foot expansion in increments of about 100,000 square feet at a time. Engineers are currently working on plans for the 300,000 square foot building, but the agreements approved in the last 6 months are for the 66,000 square foot expansion.
From a Nurse Aide Class at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
PRACTICING
Students in the nurse aide class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus are practicing clinical skills in lab exercises. Above Jadyn Carter, left, works on the hands of fellow student Emma Doolittle.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Freda Mae’s Bridge Day at Northeast Texas Children’s Museum Approaches
100 Maple Street, Commerce, Texas 75428 . Telephone: (903) 886-6055
P R E S S R E L E A S E
F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E
Freda Mae’s Bridge Day
at Northeast Texas Children’s Museum
.
(July 7, 2022 Commerce, Texas) One of the most anticipated adult activities at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum is Freda Mae’s Bridge Day to be held on Monday, August 22 at 1:30. The Bridge Day named for Freda Mae is a way for family and friends to honor her memory. It is also a day for friends to enjoy Bridge, dessert, and prizes. ” We have watched friendship grow each year around the Bridge table,” said Nancy McFarland, co-chair of the event. “We enjoy seeing returning friends and welcoming new participants each year.”
As a part of Freda Mae’s Bridge Day, Bridge lessons will be taught at the Children’s Museum. Beginner Bridge Lessons will begin on July 19 at 1:30. These lessons will begin with the counting points, etc. for those who have not played before. Intermediate Bridge Lessons will begin on August 2 at 1:30. These lessons will give intermediate players who may not have played recently a chance to review before Freda Mae’s Bridge Day. Bridge lessons are included in the $25 ticket for Freda Mae’s Bridge Day.
Prizes will be a big part of the event as prizes will be given for High Score, Low Score, Deuce Prize, and random drawings from ticket holders. All attendees will receive party favors and dessert. Attendees may choose their table for the first round. “We hope both new and experienced Bridge players will join us for this event,” said Toni Deaton, co-chair.
Tickets may be purchased by coming to the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum or by calling the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum at 903-886-6055.
For additional information, contact:
Sharline Freeman, Executive Director
Northeast Texas Children’s Museum
100 Maple Street
Commerce, Texas 75428
Telephone: (903) 886-6055 or (903) 456-4789Email: [email protected]
When Life Gives Lemonade …
Mason and Colton Stillwagoner, sons of Russel and Crystal Stillwagoner, opened a lemonade stand on College Street Saturday to offer those passing by a refreshing treat while earning funds to help pay for things they are interested in. Mason indicated he’s saving any money to apply toward equipment or related costs of baseball, which he plans to start this fall. Colton said although he’s not certain exactly how he’d spend any funds he received, he told his mom he’d like to donate to help someone who is homeless.
Parasite Control Options For Goat Herds
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Natural Resources and Agriculture, Hopkins County, [email protected]
As I started the working week, our hot and dry conditions intensified over the weekend. A “new” small ruminant producer came to the office to visit early about parasite control. He, new to goat ranching, took the initiative to educate himself about parasite control in his new goat herd. After visiting with him for few minutes, he shared the overwhelming different findings related to parasite control in goats on the internet.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, internal parasites such as roundworms and coccidia can occur during wet periods. Most flocks have some level of parasitic infection but symptoms from these infections really tend to show up during high rainfall as the amount of parasites build up and cause health issues.
The best control is preventive, but dewormers or anthelmintics can enhance control measures, especially when administered before the parasite’s eggs contaminate the pasture. Dewormers are drugs can be a powerful tool, but for long term-parasite management, dewormers cannot be the only preventative treatment. If using anthelmintic, treat only the animals that need treatment in order to reduce the chance of the parasites building up a resistance to the dewormer.
Producers can also conduct a fecal egg count reduction test to determine if the dewormer is working. This will alert the producer that it’s time to switch classes of dewormers in the event the current dewormer is losing its effectiveness. Using multiple classes of dewormers at the same time should be avoided unless advised by a veterinarian.
It is important to emphasized that grazing management is a huge part of parasite management, noting stocking rate, forage availability and other aspects of grazing management play heavily into avoiding or minimizing internal parasites.
There is also the aspect of genetic selection and looking for animals that are more resistant to these parasites. It is also good management to pay the most attention to those animals that are the most susceptible. Each property must develop its own parasite management plan. and no single program is appropriate for all operations, but plans should include good rotational grazing management, smart drenching and attention to genetic selection.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
90-Day Burn Ban Issued For Hopkins County
No Outdoor Burning — Not Even In Covered Barrel — Allowed At This Time
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning, at the request of Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley, issued a burn ban for Hopkins County. The ban is effective as of today, July 11, 2022, and will remain in effect for 90 days, unless Texas Forest Service or the county judge and fire marshal determine drought conditions no loner exist.
According to Endsley, the index was issued due to the worsening dry conditions in the county, with no potential for significant rainfall in sight in the weather forecast for the foreseeable future. Texas Forest Service recommends establishing a burn ban when drought conditions reach 600 on the Keetch Byram Drought Index.
The KBDI, used to determining forest fire potential, is based on a daily water balance, where a drought factor is balanced with precipitation and soil moisture (assumed to have a maximum storage capacity of 8-inches) and is expressed in hundredths of an inch of soil moisture depletion.
The drought index ranges from 0 to 800, where a drought index of 0 represents no moisture depletion, and an index of 800 represents absolutely dry conditions. Presently, this index is derived from ground based estimates of temperature and precipitation derived from weather stations and interpolated manually by experts at Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) for counties across the state. Researchers at Texas A&M University are working with TAMFS to derive this index from AVHRR satellite data and NEXRAD radar rainfall within a GIS.
The drought index ranges from 0 to 800, where a drought index of 0 represents no moisture depletion, and an index of 800 represents absolutely dry conditions. Presently, the KBDI is derived from ground based estimates of temperature and precipitation derived from weather stations and interpolated manually by experts at Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) for counties across the state. Researchers at Texas A&M University work with TAMFS to derive the KBDI from AVHRR satellite data and NEXRAD radar rainfall within a GIS.
Each 100 represents an inch into the ground without moisture. Hopkins County is averaging in the 600s on the KBDI. As of Monday, July 11, 2022, the county’s overall average was 667, with a minimum rating of 559 in a streak in the lower northeastern part of the county and a maximum of 709 in the central and mid southwestern part of Hopkins County. That’s a 7-point increase, according to the Forest Service KBDI maps and data.
A ranking in the 600-800 range on KBDI is “often associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurrence. Intense, deep-burning fires with extreme intensities can be expected. Live
fuels can also be expected to burn actively at these levels,” according tot he KBDI “Real-time drought Assessment System of Texas A&M Forest Service.”
Endsley noted that while some areas in the county did experience scattered rainfall over the weekend, it was not enough to even begin replacing ground moisture nor too reduce fuel levels. He said the area in the last few weeks has reached temperatures high triple digit temperatures, and is predicted to potentially peak at 107-108 with the heat of July and August still to go, temperatures the area has not experienced this early since the 1800s, as far as he’s been able to determine.
Over the past 2 weeks, county firefighters have responded to a number of grass fires, including one that resulted in loss of a structure, farm equipment and other property. That fire is under investigation by the county, aided by the state fire marshal’s office.
The burn ban applies to all unincorporated areas of Hopkins County, and stipulates that “all outdoor burning is prohibited in all areas of the county for 90 days from the date of adoption of the order,” unless the forest service or county judge and fire marshal rules drought conditions no longer exist.
That means no burning, not even in a burn barrel with a cover over it, Endsley noted.
The exceptions to the burning regulation would be would if the burning is related to public health and safety authorized by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, including firefighter training; public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining practices; planting or harvesting of agricultural crops; or burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Natural Resources Code 153.048 which meets standard of Natural Resources Code 153.047; and commercial welding projects with plan of action on file.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom noted he typically is resistant to enacting a burn ban, especially if there is a chance of appreciable rain in the forecast, but with no rain forecast, it would be prudent to put one in place to protect citizens and property.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley made a motion to enact a burn ban. Place 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin seconded the motion, which received full approval of the court.
Hopkins County joins 195 Texas counties already under a burn ban Monday morning, including nearby Rains, Wood, Hunt and Delta Counties. In fact, only 57 Texas counties did not have a burn ban as of the start of the day Monday, July 11, 2022.
Endsley said county officers will likely start issuing warnings for any violation of the 90-day burn ban, but after an initial warning a citation will be issued. The order states that a violation of the 90-day burn ban is a Class C misdemeanor offense, punishable with a fine of up to $500.
Meal A Day Menu – July 11-15, 2022
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for the week of July 11-15, 2022 includes:
- Monday – Chicken Spaghetti, English Peas and Garlic Sticks.
- Tuesday – Sweet and Sour Chicken On A Bed of Rice, Egg Rolls and Oriental Vegetables.
- Wednesday – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll.
- Thursday – Chicken and Dumplings, Crackers and Tossed Salad.
- Friday – Corn Dogs, Cole Slaw and Sweet Potato Fries.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
