Brownfield Teacher Arrested on Charge of Improper Relationship with Student

A Brownfield teacher has been arrested on a charge of Inappropriate Relationship with a student.

According to the Terry County Sheriff’s Office, Tyson Jones, was arrested Friday by the Texas Rangers and taken to the Terry County Jail on a charge of inappropriate relationship with a student.  He was released on a $20,000 bond Monday, August 14.

Brownfield ISD released a statement saying, “As of Monday, August 14, Jones has resigned from his position with the school district.”  They went on to say that the district immediately notified the Texas Education Agency licensing office, once they learned of the allegation.  The statement said, they will continue to cooperate with state and local authorities in the investigation.

Hockley Sheriff’s Office Report of Calls for Monday, August 14, 2017

The following are calls for service and activities for the Hockley County Sheriff’s Office for Monday, 8/14/2017.  The report was released Tuesday morning by Hockley County Sheriff, Ray Scifres.
-Hwy 114 at Barton Ln, Opdyke West: Welfare Check. A deputy was dispatched to assist a possible stranded motorist on Hwy 114. The deputy checked the area and the vehicle was gone prior to arrival.

-100 blk Arnett, Ropesville: Assault. A complainant met with a deputy regarding an assault report. Information was collected and a report was taken.

-Hwy 114 at Alamo, Levelland: Motorist Assist. A deputy stopped to aid a motorist along Hwy 114. The driver ran out of gas. While on scene, another individual arrived with gas to assist.

-3000 blk West Houston, Levelland: Harassment. A deputy received information about a harassment report. The matter is under investigation and a report is pending.

-300 blk Duggan, Anton: domestic Disturbance. A deputy was dispatched to a residence regarding a disturbance. On arrival, it was determined that an individual in the home had a medical issue and was transported to an area hospital by a family member. No offenses occurred and the call was medical in nature.

-3100 blk Blackgold Rd, Levelland: Domestic Disturbance. Deputies were dispatched to the area regarding a possible disturbance. While checking residences it was determined a male and female subject had been arguing in a vehicle in the area. Multiple individuals stated the parties separated and left the area in separate vehicles prior to the arrival of deputies. No offenses were reported at that time.

-1000 blk Slaughter, Sundown: Agency Assist. A deputy was dispatched to assist Sundown Police regarding a civil matter. Deputies stayed on scene until the issue was resolved. No offenses were reported.

-100 blk Arnett, Ropesville: Reckless Driver. A deputy responded to a call about a reckless driver traveling on the wrong side of US 62/82. The information was passed on to Terry County as well. The area was checked and the vehicle as not located.

-100 blk E. Richardson, Sundown. Agency Assist. Deputies assisted Sundown Police with a motor vehicle stop where two individuals were detained. Deputies assisted in transporting individuals who had been arrested related to firearms charges.

-Hwy 114 at Hummingbird Rd, Levelland: Welfare Check. A deputy responded to a report of a female walking along Hwy 114 in the area. The individual was contacted and transported to the Lubbock County line. She advised she was headed to Plainview.

-1600 blk Avenue S, Levelland: Harassment. A deputy took information for a report related to a harassment complaint. A complainant advised she was receiving repeated messages from an individual. The matter is under investigation.

-Hwy 114 at Sherman, Levelland: Civil Issue. A deputy met with a complainant regarding a civil matter involving a residence. The individual advised he left his residence and wanted to speak with a deputy about the matter. No offenses were reported.

-6800 blk Hwy 114, Smyer: Civil Issue. A deputy responded to assist with a civil standby while an individual retrieved personal property. No offenses were reported.

Deputies also completed close patrols/vacation watches, civil process service, follow up investigations, and patrols in areas of the county.

Levelland Fire Department Assists Sundown Fire Department with Structure Fire

Levelland Fire Department crews responded to Sundown Friday morning to assist the Sundown Fire Department with a structure fire on McCallon street.

According to the Sundown fire chief, a substantial amount of smoke was coming from the structure when firefighters arrived.  Levelland fire crews arrived at just before 9am and were on the scene until approximately 10:30am.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Levelland City Council Sets Maximum Proposed Tax Rate on a Split Vote

The Levelland City Council met in a regular meeting Tuesday night.  One of the main items on the agenda was to propose a tax rate for the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

The council discussed a proposed tax rate for 2017-2018 fiscal year. The effective rate, which is the rate to raise the same amount of revenue as 2016-2017 is .7508 cents per $100 property value. The council proposed a tax rate ceiling of .78 cents per 100 dollars property value which is equal to the same tax rate as the current year. Councilman Jim Myatt, asked when we can roll the rate back from .78, Erik Rejino said that the council could propose a lower tax rate on September 11. There will be a public hearing on August 21 and August 28. Councilman Max Ledesma, said he received a lot of calls from residents, not wanting ANY tax increase and would like to see a tax rate reduction. Jim Myatt, said “we have already had a tax increase because property values went up”. It was noted that property values are out of the hands of the city council, that is set by the Hockley County Appraisal District. Erik Rejino noted that over one million dollars was taken out of budget before the council looked at it, he noted if the council goes to much lower on the tax rate, then city management will need to know from council what services they want to cut. He noted that the city has been able to maintain services through the downturn in economy. He also noted that this is a heavy capitol investment year.  It is also important to note that over $1 million are to satisfy state requirements.   Two fire engines must be replaced this year. It was noted, last week, five of the twelve fire trucks were down. A motion was made by JoeBill Vardeman to approve the .78 cents per $100 property value, the motion was approved on a vote of 2 to 1 with Jim Myatt casting the dissenting vote.  Billy Youngblood, was not present at the meeting.

The council took action on a 3.25% rate increase for Republic Services for garbage collection and disposal services.  The increase is based on Bureau of Labor Statistics cost of living adjustment. It is part of the contract and as long as Republic Services is providing good service the city has a lawful duty to approve the increase or risk being in violation of the contract. The increase was reluctantly approved on a unanimous vote. Councilmembers noted that they didn’t have a choice.  It was noted that the current contract expires in 2020 and the council may choose to look at other services.

The council also reviewed a recommendation for the Main Street program to establish an endowment fund through the Community Foundation of West Texas. For the long term it is hoped it will become a funding source to pay for Main Street projects. There is a local business owner, which is willing to donate the $5,000 to start the endowment fund. The resolution was approved with little discussion.

Tiger Towing and Transportation has come to Levelland and is in operation. They have requested to be added to the wrecker call rotation for the Levelland Police Department. Currently two wrecker companies are on rotation. It was noted that the company is in full compliance with all state laws.

Levelland and Sundown Fire Departments Respond to Structure Fire

The Levelland Fire Department was called to a report of a structure fire in the 3200 Block of FM 300 Saturday afternoon around 3:00pm.  When the crews arrived on the scene the structure was fully engulfed in flames.  Due to the uncertainty of what was in the structure, Sundown Volunteer Fire Department was called to provide mutual aid.

The Levelland Fire Department said no one was in the structure at the time of the blaze and no one was injured.

The Levelland Fire Marshall is investigating the blaze.  There is no word on what caused the fire.

Photos courtesy of Levelland Fire Department

Seagraves Police Officer Dead After Traffic Accident in Yoakum County

Seagraves Police Officer, Jason Fann, who is also a deputy sheriff in Yoakum County was killed in a traffic accident while in Yoakum County.

According to information released by the Seagraves Police Department, Officer Fann was responding to a call while on duty in Yoakum County.  Texas Department of Public Safety reported, they were called to tractor-trailer accident, two miles south of Plains.  Fann reportedly was enroute to the accident and lost control of his patrol unit and the vehicle rolled.  Fann was a graduate of the 2015-16 Evening Law Enforcement academy at South Plains College.  Fann was also a fire fighter and fire marshal in Plains.

Seagraves Police Department issued the following statement Saturday evening.

“The Staff of the Seagraves Police Department are with heavy heart tonight as we have learned that one of our Police Officers in Seagraves, Jason Fann who is also a Deputy Sheriff in Yoakum County was involved in a traffic accident while answering a call in Yoakum County. Officer Jason Fann did not survive the accident. We ask for prayers from the public for Officers Fann’s family, friends, and co-workers. Jason Fann will be sorely missed by all.”

City of Levelland Recycle Center Wins Workforce Solutions Award

At the July 26, 2017 South Plains Workforce Solutions annual award presentations held at the Overton
Hotel in Lubbock, the City of Levelland was given an award for Service to Community. This award honors an employer who served the local community through coordination and collaboration efforts to significantly improve services to the community.

Earlier in the year, Jerrica Fugate, Interim Director of the Levelland Workforce Solutions office approached the City with the desire to submit the City’s recycle program as a nominee for an award. As the recycle center grew, the City was able to provide supplemental staffing through the programs offered by Workforce Solutions.  The City received notification in early July of the award.
City Secretary Beth Walls and Recycle Center Operator, Rob Alcazar accepted the award on behalf of Mayor Barbra Pinner, City Council and City Staff.