Kaufman Woman Arrested By Texas A&M Forest Service For Hopkins County Theft
KAUFMAN, Texas – Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigators and the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office arrested Frances Charline Lee Cole, 51, of Kaufman, Texas for theft of more than $2,500 and less than $30,000 in Hopkins County on March 2, 2022.
Cole entered into a real estate agreement for 42 acres in Hopkins County, she then convinced a logging company that she owned the property and entered into a contract to sell the timber. A timber deed was filed with the county clerk’s office and the logger paid her a lump sum of $8,000. Cole then backed out of the real estate sale of the property, so when the logger returned to cut the tract, they found out they had been deceived.
“Essentially, the logger paid her for timber that wasn’t hers that she had no rights to sell,” said Jonathon Keller, Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Investigator. “Although our agency commonly advises landowners how to recognize and protect against cases of theft when selling their timber, landowners are not the only ones who should be diligent when entering timber sale agreements. All parties involved should have a thorough knowledge of who they are dealing with and have all the facts before entering contracts.”
Timber theft can take a variety of forms – from harvesting timber without the landowner’s knowledge or consent, to entering into a formal agreement and not paying them the full purchase price and even stealing timber or money from logging companies.
Any entity seeking guidance on buying or selling timber, can contact their local Texas A&M Forest Service office. Texas A&M Forest Service field staff assists with the process of securing the services of a professional resource manager to help select trees for harvest, estimate values and find potential buyers.
To report suspected timber theft or suspicious activity, call the Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Timber Theft Hotline at 1-800-364-3470. The Texas A&M Forest Service Law Enforcement Department works diligently with local officials to help bring those responsible for timber theft and other violations of the natural resources code to justice.
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Contacts:
Jonathon Keller, Investigator, Texas A&M Forest Service, 936-546-1958, [email protected]
Texas A&M Forest Service Communications Office, 979-458-6606, [email protected]
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Feb. 28-March 6, 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 Feb. 28-March 6, 2022 included:
Arrests
- Kristeen Adams, 50 years of age, of Longview, was arrested on March 1, 2022, on two possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charges and for possession of a dangerous drug.
- Adrian Foster, 46 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on March 4, 2022, for driving while license invalid with previous convictions, and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
- Jacob Smith, 28 years of age, of Kilgore, was arrested on March 5, 2022, for possession of a dangerous drug.
- Calum Foldenauer, 25 years of age, of Pittsburg, was arrested on March 6, 2022, for driving while license invalid with no insurance.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 142 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 43 citations and 42 warnings during this reporting period.
School Calendar & Technology Purchases, Head Start Items On SSISD Board Agenda
A 2022-2023 school calendar, technology purchases and several Head Start documents are among the items on the March 7, 2022, Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees agenda for board discussion and consideration.
As is customary for this time of year, Superintendent Michael Lamb is slated to present at tonight’s 6 p.m. school board meeting a calendar for the 2022-2023 school calendar which would begin this August. A committee typically is involved in the process of shaping the calendar before it is submitted by administrators for trustees’ consideration.
Trustees also are expected to approve an order canceling the May 7, 2022 school board trustees election as the incumbents were unopposed in their bids for reelection to their seats on the school board.
Technology Coordinator Rodney White is expected to present for trustees’ consideration purchase of interactive panels, student laptops and teacher laptops. Bid were sought for all of these items, to replace devices either nearing the end of their lifecycle or lease cycle.
Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams, on behalf of the CTE/Career and College Director Jenny Arledge, a CTE innovative course addition to continue building on and offering an upper level course for an endorsement program started 2 years ago at high school.
Williams also is slated to present on behalf of Head Start Director/Douglass ECLC Principal Angela Edwards for board consideration a Head Start transportation waiver request, allowing the Head Start director to apply for continuation and refunding of the Head Start Program, and a one-time carryover request for reprogramming.
The consent agenda also includes numerous Head Start items which are routine but required, including:
- Head Start self-assessment summaries,
- Head Start Community assessment update,
- Head Start program improvement plan,
- Head Start Cost Allocation Plan
- Head Start training and technical assistance plan, and
- Head Start priority screening instrument.
The consent agenda, which includes 8 different items (the 6 Head Start items included) to be considered under one motion of the board unless otherwise requested by a board member, contains for February 2022 tax credits and supplements, delinquent tax collections and financial statements and bills payable.
The district too is slated to approve a letter of engagement with Rutherford, Taylor & Company, P.C., to perform auditing services for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2022. This is the auditing firm that SSISD has used for a number of years and has had a good working relationship with.
For at least the third time since Christmas, the school board will be asked to approve a resolution authorizing wage payments for school employees during a school closure, this time for the Feb. 24, 2022, cancelation of classes due to inclement weather (rain, sleet and icy roads).
During executive session, the trustees are slated to consider one-year contract extensions as recommended for professional certified instructional administrative personnel and administrative support services personnel presently employed with SSISD under two-year contracts, which includes assistant superintendents, directors, principals and assistant principals; consider hiring an assistant superintendent of elementary and students services, to replace Kristin Monk, who submitted her letter of resignation in December and became effective on Jan. 28, 2022; and any other personnel or real property matters submitted for board consideration since the last board meting. Any items pushed forward for action would be voted on when the board reconvenes in open forum.
Sulphur Springs Adult Leadership Class is also slated to attend the regular portion of the SSISD Board of Trustees meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. Monday, March 7, 2022, in the board room of Sulphur Springs ISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St. The meeting is being conducted earlier than usual, as is customary for March, due to spring break and other after-hours school activities and events.
Students will be out of school for a staff preparation day on Friday, March 11, and March14-18 has been designated for spring break.
Name Of Man Killed In Head-On Collision Saturday Night Released
Additional Details About Crash Reported
The identity of the Sulphur Springs man killed in a two-vehicle head-on collision Saturday night and additional details about the crash have been released by authorities.
Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Gregg Williams, Texas Highway Patrol Media Communications and Safety Education for the Texarkana-North Texas Region, 27-year-old Tyler Chester of Sulphur Springs died at the crash site March 5, 2022.
Chester was reported to have been driving a 1998 Toyota Camry around 10 p.m. Saturday on State Highway 19, about 5 miles south of Interstate 30. For an “as yet undetermined reason” Chester was reported to have been traveling north in the southbound lane of SH 19. Another vehicle reportedly took action to avoid the Camry. A 2012 Chevrolet Malibu traveling south behind the other vehicle, was unfortunately, unable to avoid colliding with the Camry. The cars collided head-on, Sgt. Williams reported.
Multiple law enforcement officers, including sheriff’s deputies and state troopers, firefighters from several departments, and emergency services personnel responded at the crash site. At least two people were reported to be trapped in the wreckage, requiring extrication.
Tyler Chester, who was reportedly not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, died at the crash site. Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer pronounced Chester deceased at 10:05 p.m. March 5.
A helicopter was requested. Wilma Lane, a 68-year-old Emory woman in the Malibu, was transported by air to a regional hospital Saturday night for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
State Highway 19 south was shut down temporarily and traffic diverted away from the crash site, while emergency responders worked to cut the vehicle occupants out Saturday night, the crash investigation was conducted and wreckage removed from the roadway.
The crash remains under investigation. Texas Highway Patrol Aaron Hanna lead the crash investigation.
Mayor Encourages All To Join Him in Celebration Of Texas History Month
March 6 Designated As Alamo Day
Texas has a diverse and colorful history, which Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers hopes all will join him during the month of March in celebrating the state during Texas History Month. And, for those who many not know, not only is March a busy and important month in Texas but several important events transpired and are observed during the first full week in March – including Alamo Day on March 6.
Mayor Sellers noted that March 1, 2022, is notable not only because the regular Sulphur Springs City Council meeting meeting was held on that day, but it was also Primary Election Day, Fat Tuesday, and the beginning of Texas History Month.
March 2, then, is Texas Independence Day, the 186th year since the signing of Texas’ declaration of independence, creating the Republic of Texas, Sellers noted.
March 2 is also Flag Day for Texas, as declared by the Legislature in 1915. A law was later passed in 1933 establishing rules for proper display of the flag and a pledge to the flag, “Honor the Texas Flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.”
In February of 1845, the Republic of Texas approved the resolution to enter the Union, part of which has become known as the Constitution of 1845 and states that Texas retains it’s right to divide itself into four states, in addition to the original Texas. The Republic of Texas existed for 9 years before joining the Union as the 28th State on Dec. 29, 1845.
The Texas Legislature purchased the land that’s come to be known as the Alamo Complex in the early part of the 20th century and designated the Alamo Chapel as the official Texas State Shrine. Alamo Day is Celebrated on March 6.
Texas is known as the Lone Star State, referring to the flag with one white, five-point star on a field of blue, with an upper right white horizontal stripe and a lower red horizontal stripe.
In 1826, the Texas Rangers was established by Stephen F. Austin to track down outlaws, reconcile land disputes and settle feuds. In 1925, the Texas Rangers became a branch of Texas Department of Public Safety, and continues to work for law and order in the state.
Texas is the only state that a Republic before joining the Union, the second largest state in land mass and population, and occupies about 7% of the total land and water areas of the United States.
Recognizing the importance of Texas history, the Legislature enacted legislation on June 20, 2003 declaring March 1-31 of every year as Texas History Month.
“It is imperative that the citizens of the great State of Texas make every effort to preserve, protect and promote the diversified and cultural history of our state,” Sellers read from the proclamation, concluding by urging all Texas citizens to observe Texas History Mont with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Construction Manager-At-Risk Selected For Trusty Housing Project
In one of the shortest meetings on record, Hopkins county Commissioners Court Friday approved the recommended company to serve as construction manager-at-risk for the trusty housing project.
A review committee Monday afternoon rated the three companies – Tegrity, Sedalco and Harrison Walker Harper – that submitted bids for the project. Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook recommended Sedalco be awarded the contract based on the scoring criteria.
“This selection committee based this off of scoring by fees , schedule (the time they can get the project out), their organization, licensing, their overall experience, their labor’s experience, and their safety,” Aulsbrook said, with up to 100 points available for each area. Sedalco had 709 points, the highest of the three business.
Aulsbrook said the scoring information is available at her office and open to the public if anyone wants to view them in her office.
Monday morning, the three bids received for the project were opened and fees were read aloud.
Tegrity’s quoted fee is 3.77%, general conditions cost of 8.77% and a fee of $7,777 would be charged to the county if for any reason Tegrity provides preconstruction services but the county does not proceed with the project. HWH (Harrison, Walker and Harper) bid a preconstruction fee of $20,000, overhead fees of 3% and a profit of 5%. Sedalco bid a preconstruction Phase B fee of $15,000 and a construction management fee of 5% of cost of work.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin made a motion to, approve the recommendation. Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price seconded the motion, which receive unanimous approval from the four members of the Commissioners Court able to attend the meeting. Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker was ill and unable to attend the court session Friday, March 4, 2022.
Funding for the Hopkins County Trusty Housing Facility would come from the $7-plus million the county has been awarded in American Rescue Program funding, with no local tax dollars allocated for the project. The facility would keep the trustees, who work in the community during the day, separate from other inmates as a safety precaution against COVID-19 or any other illness being spread through the jail, and to better keep contraband such as snuff and controlled substances out of the county jail, officials noted when announcing plans to use a large chunk of the COVID-19 related funding to build separate housing for jail trusties. The Trusty Housing Facility will be planned on county owned property directly across from the current jail facility.
Over the past few months, the Commissioners Court, Sheriff Lewis Tatum, Jail Administrator Kenneth Dean and other jail and sheriff’s office employees, along with County Grants Consultant Beth Wisenbaker have been working with DRG Architects LLC to design a facility that not only meets the county’s needs, but remains within budget and meets state jail standards. DRG is the company that designed the current jail facility.
As is the process when constructing a facility to house inmates, the initial plans have been submitted to the jail standards administration. A meeting was held with the state officials, with some recommendation. Modifications were being made in January based on those recommendations as well as requests made by the Commissioners Court, Sheriff and Jail Administrator.
The revised plans then are sent back to the state authorities over jails, and another less formal conference is conducted. Once any issues are resolved and the plan is given the green light by state and local officials, the project moves into the construction documents phase of the building project. Those are then be sent to the jail commission, and officials will be given a chance to discuss that and provide a time for any formal comments to be made. If the jail commission is not satisfied, then a written response will need to be accompanied by the written design information.
Saltillo FCCLA Chapter Receives Regional Recognition
Saltillo ISD Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Chapter, a student-led organization of Family and Consumer Science classes, was awarded the largest chapter in Region 3 1-A for 2021-2022.
“I am very proud of my students wanting to be a part of Family Career Community Leaders of America and participating in everything we do. Saltillo ISD high school students are so busy in a lot of school activities including UIL, One Act Play, sports, jobs and other school organizations, but are still able to be a part of a great organization,” said Johnna West, Saltillo ISD FCCLA Chapter advisor.
Meal A Day Menu – March 7-11, 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 March 7-11, 2022 includes:
- Monday – Apricot Glazed Chicken Breast On a Bed of Rice, California Blend Vegetables and a Roll.
- Tuesday – Sliced Ham, Sweet Potatoes, Normandy Vegetables and a Roll.
- Wednesday – Taco Soup, Cheese Cubes, Crackers and Tossed Salad.
- Thursday – Chicken Spectacular, Candied Carrots and a Roll.
- Friday – Chili Cheese Dogs, Cole Slaw and Chips.
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.
Lady Cats Softball Close Out Tournament With 3-0 Win
Coach David Carrillo’s squad got a big 3-0 win over Canton Saturday, Mar. 5 in Royse City.
The win over Canton gave Lady Cats softball a 4-1 record in the tournament and put Sulphur Springs in first place to win the tourney.
Crimson Bryant got the win Saturday, pitching 6 shutout innings and allowing only one hit in the win.
The junior walked two and struck out 16 batters Saturday.
Both Jadyn Harper and Parris Pickett got two hits and an RBI against the Eaglettes.
The win over Canton gave the Lady Cats a 4-1 record over the three day tourney, good enough for first place.
Final standings in Royse City:
- Sulphur Springs — 4-1
- Prairiland — 3-0-2
- Canton — 3-1-1
- Royse City — 2-2-1
- Ursuline Academy — 1-4-0
- Mineola — 0-5-0
The five game tournament brings the Lady Cats’ season record to 9-1-2.
Next up, Coach David Carrillo and his softball team begin their district season Tuesday, Mar. 8 when they host Hallsville.
That game is set to tee off Tuesday at Lady Cat Park at 6:30 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Contractors Selected For Curb And Gutter Work; Backhoe Purchase Put On Hold For A Month
Contractors were selected for curb and gutter removal and replacement as part of the 2022 street improvement program, while a backhoe purchase was put on hold for a month by Sulphur Springs City Council. Also during the regular March council meeting earlier this week, action was taken to cancel the May 7 City Council election.
Street Work
Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski told the City Council the way the bid specifications were structured for curb and gutter removal and replacement on California Street and Brinker Street. was so that the city could consider approving one bid for both projects, one for each or none of the bids submitted by contractors.
The city received five bids from contractors for bids. The way the bids came in city staff recommending awarding the projects to two different contractors, one for each street improvement project. He recommended contracting with Richard Drake Contractors for work on California Street and with Highway 19 construction for the Brinker Street project. Drake is out of Paris and Highway 19 is local.
The two low bids , $21,000 bid from Richard Drake Construction of Paris for California Street curb and gutter removal and replacement program and $45,825 from Highway 19 Construction for the Brinker Street project.
As part of the consent agenda, the City Council on March 1 also approved a 380 agreement for 306 Easy Street.
The Council held an executive session 30 minutes prior to the regular meeting Tuesday night, but reported no action was required from that session.
City Manager Marc Maxwell reported the city will hold off completing paving of Lee Street from Brinker to League Street and League Street from Bellview to Pampa Street, both of which run in front of Sulphur Springs Elementary. Sulphur Springs ISD officials contacted the city to ask that the work be completed after school is out instead of during the school year so as not to interfere with traffic during the spring semester.
“There are twice as many streets being done with the street maintenance fee. We are going to be paving 7.18 miles of road, 37,884 feet. We will be expending more than 2 million dollars on it, over half of which comes from street maintenance fee. So this is your tax dollars at work,” Maxwell told the council.
City streets which were already scheduled for improvements this year, included:
- Ardis Street, between Spence Street and Beckham Street,
- Azalea, between Hillcrest Drive to Main Street,
- Bonner Street, between Church and Davis Streets (in front of Central Fire Station)
- Brinker from Beasley Street to the dead-end,
- California Street between Church Street and Seventh Street, and
- Charles Street from College Street to Lakeshore Drive were
The street maintenance fee is expected to allow the city to also make improvements to more than a dozen additional city streets this year. Streets listed for improvements using the SMF include:
- Jackson Street, between Middle to College Street;
- Kasie Lane, between Tate to Camp Streets,
- Lee Street , between Davis (Brinker) and League Street,
- Fore Street, between Main Street to Connally Street;
- Glover, between Davis Street to Church Street
- Forrest Lane between Bell Street to Connally Street; Garrison Street between Main and Connally Streets;
- Houston Street. between Hillcrest Drive to League Street;
- Commercial Services Drive, various spots of repair;
- Como Street, between College Street and the railroad tracks;
- Dabbs Street, between Gilmer and Davis Street;
- Drexel Drive, between Broadway Street to Mockingbird Lane; and
- Fisher Street, between Spence and Lee Streets.
Construction Equipment
Initially, the City Council was asked to consider approving the purchase of a backhoe from South Star JCB using a Sourcewell Contract, using $98,000 funding budgeted for the water distribution and wastewater collection department to get a new backhoe. The amount quoted during the budgeting process has increased to over $120,000, so that has been ruled out due to cost. City staff reached out to all manufacturers that have contracts with Sourcewell, a purchasing cooperative. They received three bids in response to that request as well as one for a 2019 used backhoe.
“After reviewing the equipment that was quoted to us, James Jordan – utilities director; he could not be here tonight – is recommending that you approve the purchase of a backhoe from South Star JCB for $106,953.50,” Smith noted.
Mayor John Sellers noted that would only be an $8,000 difference from the original quote.
“Whenever we started buying Caterpillars, we started having a lot less problems . JCB is an unknown. I talked to the department head. He feels fine with it. I don’t. How would you feel about coming back later and increasing the budget so you can buy a Caterpillar?” Maxwell asked the Council.
Smith said the amount quoted for a new unit was over $120,000, so the one proposed was used. They won’t go lower on the amount.
Maxwell said it’s been the city’s experience with equipment other than Caterpillar that about 15 months after purchase, the equipment begins having problems. The city manager said he was not disparaging the company, because that might not be case with their products. However, every time the city has switched from “something else to Caterpillar, we’ve been pleased with it.” He said when it comes to such a big purchase, you want to get your month’s worth for the product.
“Can we delay it for a month to have this looked at further, to see what y’all can come back to us with?” Sellers asked.
“Yes, I just want to see if there’s any out there. If guys say, ‘Nah, nah, we don’t want to do that,’ we’ll just do the other,” Maxwell said. “If you think it might be worth looking at, then lets look at it.”
“I’m just worried if your department head has taken into account the dig depth, 20-feet, 20-inch verses the 14 on the Cat and 101 horsepower,” Place 1 Councilman Jay Julian asked.
“Oh, he has. He kind of likes the dig depth,” Maxwell said.
“I’ve always like horsepower on equipment like that. A little more horsepower comes in handy at times,” Place 5 Councilman Gary Spraggins noted, asking for the city officials to once again describe the difference in costs to make sure he understood the amounts posts.
Smith noted that the information does appear to show the Caterpillar backhoe at a a lower price, $105,000, that rate is for a used 2019 model backhoe while the $106,000 bid is for a new JCB backhoe, and only has a 36-month 1500-hour warranty that only covers powertrain and hydraulics.
JCB and Case have backhoes available now. New Holland’s projection for new equipment is 4-6 months.
“In October, Capital Construction purchased a backhoe. They got the last backhoe from Holt Cat that they had on the lot,” Smith noted.
“I ask that y’all delay it,” Maxwell said.
“I say we wait, if we can get a better quality piece of equipment that’s going to outlast others… that’s more heavy duty,” Place 3 Councilman Oscar Aguilar said.
Spraggins asked how critical the need for the equipment now as opposed to waiting a month or more to make the purchase.
“James says what we have now is starting to have some electrical issues,” Smith replied. “They have a back up.”
“We’ll be fine,” Maxwell said.
“I guess they could possible see if capital construction would share theirs or either they would have to go rent,” Smith said.
The City Council declined the proposal to purchase of the backhoe from South Star JCB through Sourcewell at this time, pending further discussion and research regarding a backhoe.
Financial Reports
The general fund is positive, pretty close to what was budgeted.
The report given to the council at the March 1 meeting was through Jan. 31, 2022, reflecting property taxes collected. Any payments received after that time will be will be considered delinquent. Property tax collections are “about where they should be,” Assistant City Manager/Director of Finance Lesa Smith reported.
Sales taxes received through February were up 13.75%, a $280,000 increase over the same time last year.
Overall, in the departments for the general fund everybody is right where they should be at this time. A lot of times in the short beginning of the fiscal year, expenses are top heavy at the start of the fiscal year. So any overages are mainly due to that,” Smith reported.
She reported the one department that is slightly overbudget was the street department, which performed some drainage work this year that they don’t normally do.
A budget amendment is expected to be presented at the next City Council meeting, allowing for two readings. This would also allow the city to catch up and include any additional items which cost more than projected due largely to inflation.
Smith said she did do some research to answer a question posed by Julian at a February City Council meeting regarding sewer sales and revenue in the enterprise fund.
“I do see an account that is an issue, so we are taking steps right now to get that account fixed, and hopefully, that’s that,” Smith said. “That’s something that we are working on right now.”
Smith said the city was received $59,000 in American Rescue Act money last week for Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport. The funds will be reflected in the February financials, which the council should receive at hte April meeting. She said when the funding reimbursement request was made, the amount was based on Airport salaries.
Bids will be sought soon for construction of the basketball pavilion in Pacific Park, with submissions expected to be presented to the City Council in April for consideration. The new Grays Building opened last summer, an official opening and ribbon cutting for the new fitness court will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday, March 10, in Pacific Park. Crews have been readying another area of the park for construction of playground equipment. Bids for a basketball pavilion would allow the Pacific Park improvement project to enter the next phase.
Other Business
The City Council voted unanimously to accept the certificate of unopposed candidates and order canceling the May 7 General Election to fill Places 4 and 5 on the Sulphur Springs City Council. City officials noted there was no need to hold an election as the two candidates are unopposed for the seats they are seeking.
Tommy Harrison filed candidacy and in May will be administered the oath of office, replacing Freddie Taylor who opted not to seek another term in Place 4 on the Council. Gary Spraggins, who was elected to fill the remaining term of the individual who resigned from the Place 5 seat on the Council, is also scheduled to take the oath of office to serve a full three-year term starting in May as well.
Julian asked if the program to drive buzzards out of trees in town to another area using pyro-techniques has been successful. Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson reported there were a lot less of the pesky birds roosting in trees in the Sulphur Springs neighborhood between Main and Van Sickle Streets, Water Oak Street and League Streets. He said he’s not sure where they relocated to, but there were only about half a dozen of them left to drive out.
