I-30 West Shut Down From 115 Mile Marker To Sulphur Springs Due To 18-Wheeler Crash, Fire
Both lanes of westbound Interstate 30 were shutdown for several hours due to a two-vehicle crash near mile marker 115; the north service road also was shut down just before 2 p.m. and were expected to remain closed 5-6 hours Tuesday.
Those traveling along that stretch were warned to take a different route or plan for travel delays.
One truck-trailer rig reportedly crashed into the trailer of a truck-trailer rig parked on the side of I-30 west, injuring the driver of the parked rig. The vehicles reportedly burst into flames.
The crash, called in just after 1:40 p.m. Tuesday March 22, 2022, reportedly involved two 18-wheelers, at least one of which was reported to have caught on fire. The injured truck driver reportedly sustained serious enough incapacitating injury for a medical helicopter to be landed near the crash location to fly him to a trauma center.
Only the south service road remained open at 1:55 p.m. to westbound traffic, officials at the crash site reported. Traffic had reportedly backed up from the 120 mile marker eastward on I-30 west at 1:50 p.m. Law enforcement and firefighters from multiple agencies responded at the crash Officials, as soon as possible, began diverting westbound traffic away from the crash.
Just before 3 p.m., westbound traffic had backed up along I-30 and the north service road (Industrial Drive) into Sulphur Springs between Hillcrest Drive and South League Street. Officials were working to open one lane of the north service road at an exit down from the wreck, to allow some of the motorist to exit the highway and continue westward. Those between the exit and the wreck were locked in for a few hours, until the backlog of traffic could be diverted enough to safely back the locked-in section back out of the location.
One lane of of the north service road had been reopened around the crash around 4 p.m., with traffic exiting I-30 and directed past the crash. Just before 5 p.m., authorities had begun turning around the stranded motorists, directing them east on the westbound lane to an exit, getting those units of the Interstate.
Meanwhile, westbound traffic on the north service road from League Street and Hillcrest Drive were being directed an alternate route or halted as the motorists stranded on I-30 for hours were evacuated off the closed section of roadway. Thus, traffic had reportedly begun to stack up again on the north service road and I-30 between the US Highway 67 overpass and Hillcrest Drive. City authorities and constables were assisting with traffic direction before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities were monitoring Hillcrest Drive and Rockdale Road. Traffic was being directed away from the service road and onto the I-30 at League Street exit.
The roadway remained closed after 5 p.m. Tuesday and remained closed another 1-2 hours as officials worked to clear the wreckage, get stalled traffic off the highway and assess travel conditions on that section of I-30. A crew was expected to return to the location during daylight hours to finish clean up at the roadside
Both Baseball and Softball in Marshall for Tuesday Game Day
Both baseball and softball are in Marshall on Tuesday, Mar. 22 for this week’s edition of Tuesday Gameday.
Softball has an hour up on baseball as Coach David Carrillo’s squad tees off in Marshall on Tuesday at 6 P.M.
The Lady Cats enter Tuesday game day still undefeated in district play (4-0) and take on a Lady Mavs squad (1-2) who got their first win in district play Friday. Marshall no doubt hopes to make it two straight, but has a tough test ahead of them hosting Sulphur Springs Tuesday.
That game tees off Tuesday, Mar. 22 in Marshall at 6 P.M.
Coach Carrillo’s team last Wednesday got a come-from-behind win over Texas High, and look to make it five straight district wins Tuesday.
After Tuesday’s district match-up in Marshall, Lady Cats softball have just one more game before they finish their first half of district season.
Baseball, like softball is in Marshall for Tuesday game day.
Coach Jerrod Hammack’s team look to get their first win in district play Tuesday.
Last week Sulphur Springs opened district play at home, hosting Mount Pleasant and Texas High, but lost both of those contests to fall to 0-2 in district play. The Wildcats fell to Mount Pleasant in a rout 9-1 last Tuesday and had an okay showing against Texas High Friday but came up short 9-6.
Marshall lost their district opener Friday in Pine Tree 4-0 and look to get their first win in district as well.
Both teams look to get a win Tuesday to stay in the playoff race as already 1/4 of district play is in the books after tonight’s game.
Baseball tees off in Marshall on Tuesday, Mar. 22 at 7 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.
Easement, Property Purchase, Maintenance Agreement, Audit Approved By Commissioners
Hopkins County Commissioners agreed to continue contracting with Williams Air Conditioning And Heating, an easement at the end of County Road 4746, a property purchase and approved the annual audit during a special session Monday, March 21, 2022.
CR 4746 Easement
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price requested the county agree to a half acre easement at the end of County Road4746. He explained that was the road the court agreed at the March 14 meeting to abandon, at the request of the individual who owns property on both sides of the dead end road.
“We needed a turn around there at the end so we could turn our maintainers around, and the guy granted us an easement so we could do that,” Price noted, when making the motion to approve the easement as presented.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin seconded the motion, which received full approval of the four members of the court present. Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker continues to be out due to illness.
Property Purchase
Price also asked the court to approve purchase of property adjacent to the Precinct 4 barn for use by Precinct 4. The property is about half an acre of land located to the north of the county barn, which will give Precinct 4 a little extra room.
“We have no other way to grow nut in that direction. I think the ones [commissioners] before me have always wanted to buy it too, and we are fortunate to buy it this year,” Price said.
The property will cost $20,000 plus losing and about $300 owed in back taxes, Price noted, before making a motion to approve the purchase. Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by the court.
Preventive Agreement
County Judge Robert Newsom said the hiring of Williams Air Conditioning and Heating for preventive services for county air conditioning/heating units was a big step for the county last year. He said in talking with Tom Glosup who oversees buildings they agreed Williams has done a good job, even discovering things they were unaware of, allowing them to keep an eye on and maintain heating and air conditioning systems better than they’ve ever been tended in the history of the new jail.
“They did show us things we didn’t even know we had,” Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum noted. “Especially, filters and getting all that changed out and helping us do that. I know when our maintenance man has called, they are there very quick. The only problems we are having is ordering parts, but they are always there for us. It’s operating a lot better than it was.”
The contract covers four visits per year, plus the other services they provide for $28,088 per year, which is up a little from the original contract, Newsom noted.
Glosup said he talked with Williams about the proposal last week. The contract is essentially the same amount as last year’s agreement. Last year, the business actually shorted themselves about $2,000, that they did not bill for at that time. What has gone up is the fee for service calls, which has increased from $135 in the last contract to $155 per hour to account for rises and fluctuations in gas prices. Company representatives noted that since problems have been addressed, the Williams does not anticipate the county will have as many service calls this year.
“So, even though it’s gone up, they expect the county to be out less than what they were last year because the status of the equipment they’ve got,” Glosup said. “In everything, they’ve done an excellent job.”
Bartley made the motion, which was seconded by Price, and received unanimous approval of the court.
Audit
Lewis Crain of Rutledge, Crain & Company, PC, presented the audit his firm conducted of the county’s fiscal year 2021 finances. The auditor noted the county finished FY 2021 with a positive balance, despite the frequent changes in federal funding awarded to help offset costs from COVID.
Anglin made a motion, which Bartley seconded, and which received full approval of the court.
Lady Cats Softball Wins in Marshall, 6-1
Lady Cats softball got another win Tuesday, Mar. 22 in Marshall thanks to solid pitching and a grand slam.
Parris Pickett was the difference-maker on offense.
The SS recorded two hits in the game, both of which allowing at least one Lady Cat to cross home plate.
Her first hit was the biggest of the night, a gram slam that powered Sulphur Springs past Marshall 5-0 in the top of the 3rd.
While the Lady Mavs were able to put a run on the board in the bottom frame, Pickett’s second hit in the Lady Cats’ last at-bat put the game firmly out of reach, 6-1.
Coach David Carrillo’s squad rode the arm of Crimson Bryant, who struck out 17 Lady Mavs batters in the victory.
The junior pitched a full-game, allowing only three hits. Bryant struck out 17 Marshall batters for her fourth district win in five starts.
RF Kinz Smallwood Katie Johns managed a hit a piece for Sulphur Springs.
Tuesday’s win over the Lady Mavs gives softball a 15-1-2 record (5-0 district).
Next up, Sulphur Springs is at home on Friday, Mar. 25 hosting Pine Tree. That game tees off Friday at 6 P.M.
Friday’s home match with the Lady Pirates marks the end of the first half of district season for Lady Cats softball.
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.
2 Men, Including One Who Hid In A Utility Closet, Jailed On Felony Assault-Related Warrants
Two men, including a wanted Como man alleged to have hid in a utility closet, were arrested at their homes on felony assault-related warrants over the weekend.
Como Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chris Baumann learned James Dustin Kidd, a wanted man, was seen arriving at his residence March 20, 2022, so he proceeded to the location. Baumann contacted Kidd’s girlfriend, who allegedly attempted to get Kidd to exit the rear bedroom of the residence. As the deputy approached the rear bedroom, he noted the man had left through a rear door. As the deputy was at the rear of the residence the man reentered the home through the front door.
Baumann reentered the home, where he saw the man attempt to conceal himself inside a utility closet and close the door. The deputy assisted the 40-year-old Como man out of the utility closet and took him into custody at 4:25 p.m. March 20, 2022, on two felony warrants.
Kidd was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:16 p.m. Sunday, March 20, 2022, on one warrant for violation of parole on a family violence assault that impeded breathing charge and a Wood County third or more driving while intoxicated charge, according to jail and arrest reports. Bond was set at $50,000 bond on the Wood County warrant. He remained in Hopkins County jail until March 21, 2022. The parole violation is alleged to have occurred on Sept. 29, 2021.
Sulphur Springs Arrest
HCSO Deputies Drew Fisher and Zack Horne went to the residence of Brandon Tremaine Whitmore, contacted him an took him into custody at 12:10 a.m. Monday, March 21, 2022.
The 39-year-old Sulphur Springs man was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked in at 12:30 a.m. Monday on a warrant for aggravated assault of a household or family member with a weapon.
Whitmore remained in Hopkins County jail Monday afternoon, March 21, 2022, in lieu of $100,000 bond on the felony assault charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
20-Mile I-30 Vehicle Pursuit Ends Near Brinker With Spiked Truck Tire, Arrest
A 20-mile I-30 vehicle pursuit through Hopkins County late Saturday night ended near Brinker with the fleeing truck’s tire being spiked, according to arrest reports.
Cumby Police Officer Justin Talley reported seeing a Chevrolet Silverado with a non-operational head light pass him at 10:54 p.m. March 19, 2022, on eastbound Interstate 30 near mile marker 111 and attempted to stop him for the defective equipment.
The pickup moved into the right-hand lane on I-30, as if the driver was going to pull over, and swerved back into the left-hand lane and accelerated. The driver continued using his vehicle, reaching speeds estimated at 95-105 miles per hour, Talley alleged in arrest reports
Additional officers were notified of the pursuit. StopSticks, also called a spike strip, successfully deployed the left front tire between the 127 and 128 mile markers, as the truck exited Sulphur Springs on I-30. The driver drove the car onto the right shoulder of I-30 east near mile marker 131, the Cumby officer alleged in arrest reports.
Officers from multiple agencies assisted in contacting the driver, identified in arrest reports Roderick Neal Howard Jr. and jail reports simply as Roderick Howard, and taking the 28-year-old Bolivar, Tennessee man into custody at 11:34 p.m. March 19, 2022. The truck was impounded and Howard was transported to Hopkins County jail. Howard was booked into jail at 12:58 a.m. Sunday, March 20, 2022 on an evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge, Talley noted in arrest reports. Howard was released from jail later Sunday on a $5,000 bond on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
State Fair Of Texas Goat And Lamb Validation Tag Orders Due March 28, 2022
By Dr. Mario A. Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Hopkins County Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources, [email protected]
Officials of major livestock shows in Texas are participating in a program supported by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Texas Education Agency, Department of Agricultural Education, whereby all 4-H and FFA lambs and goats exhibited at their shows will be required to be identified appropriately with an official tag, county tattoo number, a hair sample for the DNA Assay, and a nose print for all lambs. A special tag has been designed specifically for the Texas 4-H/FFA Major Show Goat and Lamb Validation Program. Some local county shows or fairs may also require market lambs and goats to be validated through the state validation program.
The purpose of validation is to determine ownership and possession of a lamb or goat project by an exhibitor or family in a specific county. 4-H and FFA projects must remain in the possession and care of the exhibitor/owner through-out the feeding period. Market lamb and goat projects cannot be validated to more than one family and cannot be validated in more than one county. Violation of this rule will result in the disqualification of exhibitor(s) and projects.
It should be noted that a “complete validation” is defined as completing all necessary forms, online upload of information, as well as a secured placement of validation tags on-site.
All livestock are required to have tags placed in their ears at the time of county-level state validation. Under no circumstances should tags be handed out for off-site tagging. Additionally, tags must remain in the ear through exhibition. Tags should not be cut out of the ear of validated livestock for any reason. In the event of medical circumstances requiring the tag be cut out, please consult a veterinarian. If a livestock validation visit is conducted, all livestock must be in compliance with a complete validation. If livestock are not in compliance with a complete validation, they may be subject to disqualification.
State Fair of Texas validation tag orders are due March 28, 2022, with your FFA advisor or the Hopkins County Extension Office (903-885-3443) for 4-H exhibitors. The cost of each validation Tag is $15 (late fee $25).
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report For March 14-20, 2022
Winnsboro Police Department each week provides a media report with information about department activity for the last 7 days. WPD activity for the week of March 14-20, 2022 included:
Arrests
- Jaime Walker, 24 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on March 14, 2022, on a Franklin County warrant for False Report to a Peace Officer.
- Shayla Wright, 32 years of age, of Como, was arrested on March 14, 2022, on a Franklin County warrant for Release of Surety- Fraud Use or Possession of Identifying Information.
- Jeremy Burns, 41 years of age, of Mount Vernon, was arrested on March 14, 2022 on a Winnsboro Municipal Court warrant for Expired Registration.
- Brenda Durbin, 30 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on March 17, 2022, on a Franklin County warrant for Failure to Appear- Criminal Trespass.
- Nancy Perez, 57 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on March 18, 2022, for Driving While Intoxicated.
- Anthony Bauchanan, 24 years of age, of Sulphur Springs, was arrested on March 19, 2022, on Winnsboro Municipal Court warrants for Expired Registration and Speeding.
- Janetta White, 52 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on March 19, 2022, on Wood County Warrants for Possession of Dangerous Drug, Possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 Controlled Substance and Possession of less than1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 138 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 50 citations and 41 warnings during this reporting period.
Paris Junior College Adult Education Broadens Scope of Free Services
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center
Public Information Services
PJC Adult Education broadens scope, locations of free services
Getting the word out about helpful services can sometimes be difficult in rural areas, and the Adult Education and Family Literacy Program (AEL) at Paris Junior College wants everyone to know they continue to offer traditional as well as new services.
“We have free services for our community members that will help them move forward with their lives and careers,” said PJC Adult Education and Family Literacy Director Susan Sanchez. “Especially English as a Second Language (ESL) and High School Equivalency (GED) classes as well as new classes to help with future employment.”
Working to empower and educate area residents, AEL has added free Workforce Development Training, Employability Skills and Career Pathways, Citizenship Preparation, online learning opportunities and scholarship opportunities. The program is available at the College’s locations in Paris, Greenville, and Sulphur Springs.
To reach more people, AEL also provides the free services at other locations including CAN Help in Sulphur Springs, The Hub in Clarksville, CitySquare in Paris, and The Hope Center in Greenville. To register or learn more about these classes contact the PJC Adult Education office at 903-782-0467 or [email protected].
ADULT EDUCATION
Gretel Waite responds to mock interview questions from Career Navigator Mike Minihan and AEL Program Director Susan Sanchez as part of a new six-session course on employability. The session is one of many free services available from the AEL program at Paris Junior College.
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.
March 26 Cornhole Tournament Will Help Raise Funds To Repair Kids Kingdom
If you consider yourself a cornhole pro or simply like to toss some bags in the backyard occasionally, then the Sulphur Springs Leadership Class’ cornhole tournament is for you.
Even if you don’t play cornhole, the Saturday, March 26, event will include a silent auction with dozens of great items.
The best thing is that 100 percent of the money raised will be used by the 2022 Leadership Class to restore Kids Kingdom.
The cornhole tournament will have two divisions: open (for advanced players) and social. The cost is only $50 per team, and prize money will exceed $1,000.
Two-person teams can register in advance on the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce website or registration can be done the day of the event, beginning at 11 a.m. at Backstory Brewery. The brackets will be double elimination and teams will begin play at noon.
The silent auction will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Silent auction items include Courthouse balcony seating for the Independence Day concert, a ride for up to four kids on the Hopkins County fire truck, a morning tee time for the Chamber golf tournament, hundreds of dollars on gift cards and gift baskets.
The tournament will also have a free jump house for kids.
Money from the event will be used to pay for power-washing, restaining, repainting, replacing some wood, replacing playground equipment including a handicap swing, tire swing and two slides, new dirt and mulch and installing new lighting.
For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515.
– Submitted By Butch Burney, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, [email protected]
