Houston-Rosemont Building Razed
Hopkins County Trustees could be seen mopping up the remains of the building that stood at Rosemont and Houston Streets Wednesday afternoon. Bundles of salvaged lumber were being loaded onto flatbed trailers.
This is another step toward the construction of a new building on the site. County officials determined the cost to renovate the existing building was greater than tearing it down and constructing a new building.
The structure, which had a hole in the roof, was purchased by the county prior to the construction of the new Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center, District Court, Clerk and Attorney buildings. It was used to store items during the transition and continues to house some county property.
Oklahoma Man Jailed On Hopkins County Trafficking Of Person Charge
Raymond Antywan Larry III, 19, of Idabel, Oklahoma was booked into Hopkins County jail Tuesday on a warrant alleging trafficking of a person, a female runaway, according to sheriff’s and arrest reports.
“We had a female subject run away. The subject was transported to the Idabel area. He is believed the person responsible for the transporting and harboring of the subject. He has been arrested and charged with trafficking,” Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said Wednesday morning.
Hopkins County Chief Sheriff’s Investigator Corley Weatherford said based on their investigation, officials believe Larry “arranged it.”
According to a a press release from HCSO, a sheriff’s deputy immediately began “locating people that may have information and interviewing each person he could locate” when the child was reported as a runaway or to be missing in mid-November.
Deputy Colt Patterson uncovered information that the child was likely in South Eastern Oklahoma. HCSO Criminal Investigation Division was called in to assist with the investigation. Patterson and investigators began a broader search for the child, including working with officials in Southeast Oklahoma. “Officials of the local Police Department and Sheriff’s Office in Oklahoma assisted with making contact and searching houses associated with the minor. However, initial locations did not lead to locating the minor,” the HCSO press release stated.
HCSO officials “developed several suspects and involved persons, we then began to monitor these individuals.” Eventually officials learned of the an exact location for minor and the information was relayed to Oklahoma authorities, who located the child, the press release noted.
“Additional interviews and review of the evidence in this case revealed that Raymond Larry communicated with the child and arranged her transport to his location in Oklahoma. Information was found of acts that occurred outside of the State of Texas, due to these acts Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is pursuing charges of Human Trafficking for the transportation of a minor out of Hopkins County for these specific acts,” the HCSO release stated.
Larry was arrested in Oklahoma on the Hopkins County charge, the HCSO officials said. He was transported at 7 a.m. Dec. 10 by HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite from McCurtain County jail in Oklahoma to Hopkins County jail, according to arrest and jail reports.
Larry, who is also reportedly known by Larry Antywan Raymond, remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Dec. 11; bond was set at $100,000 on the trafficking charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County sheriff’s officials will continue to work with Oklahoma officials and forward any evidence to them if the Oklahoma authorities “desire to pursue charges for acts that occurred in their jurisdiction,” the press release stated.
At Cooper Lake State Park, 'Life's Better Outside' Even During the Holidays!
Cooper Lake State Park Complex Manager Steve Killian has good news if you want to get away during the holidays; there are more than 90 State Parks in Texas offering magnificent sights, exciting events as well as wide open spaces for you and your family. Here’s a great Christmas gift idea…an Annual Pass which gives you free entrance to any and all State Parks in Texas for an entire year. And not only you, but anyone in your vehicle when you come through the Park’s gate with your Pass and ID. The Annual Pass is only $70, and talk about getting a lot for your dollar, that could be the best present you give this Christmas!
From the Texas State Parks and Wildlife website, additional information is stated. “You get free entry to state parks for one year. Some parks do not charge an entry fee. Activity and camping fees still apply. The pass applies to you and your guests who are riding in the same noncommercial car or boat. The pass holder must be present and provide valid identification.
Having your physical card will significantly speed up the check-in process and is recommended. Pass information can be looked up by staff, if the pass holder’s digital profile matches the pass holder’s identification. You will need the number printed on your pass to use “iron ranger” stations or to check-in after hours. If you enter the park by bicycle, motorcycle, or on foot, you can bring as many as 14 guests with you who are entering the same way”. Look up camping as well as educational and sporting opportunities in State Parks at the same website, tpwd.texas.gov.
On Friday and Saturday December 13 and 14, 2019, there are holiday programs and events planned for the public at Cooper Lake State Park. A free ‘winter wonderland’ with a visit from Santa will begin at 6pm both nights. Live music and hot chocolate are also planned, and camping sites will be decorated for the holiday. On Saturday December 14, a Dutch Oven Cooking event will start at 11am and at 8pm, a “night view of the heavens’ program will be conducted. Also, three “first day” hikes are planned on January 1, 2020. The hikes are planned at 10am and 2pm from the South Sulphur Unit, and a 1pm hike from Doctor’s Creek Unit. Killian wishes everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year by taking advantage of the camping, boating, hiking, birding, bicycling, horseback riding and numerous other ways to get fresh air and exercise at Cooper Lake State Park in 2020.
Blue Santa Toy Distribution Day is Saturday December 14
Empty Stocking plans to distribute the toys which Blue Santa took in from the annual Toy Drive and the blue barrels on Saturday December 14, 2019. There will be additional toys for the kids, too, purchased at Market over the summer with the monetary donations taken in last year. Also, Secret Santa shoppers went to local stores last week to supplement gifts for the teens. This years campaign will serve over 300 families which totals more than 800 children. It is a very exciting and gratifying time for local volunteers!
Actually, CANHelp finds the families in need through a sign-up held during the early Autumn. Blue Santa gathers the toys for the families through October and November and the first week of December. Then, Empty Stocking distributes the toys. According to Co-ordinator Amy Griggs, Hopkins County always hosts quite a large Blue Santa operation. During the two weeks before distribution day, numerous individuals, family groups and members of civic groups come together to sort and pack the boxes. The boxes are then distributed on a designated day to the families of the children on the sign-up list compiled by CanHelp. When we say it takes a village to do this project…we mean it to be true! This Saturday morning, the SS police department, HC sheriff office, HCSO Posse along with a group of First Baptist Church deacons will oversee the vehicle lines formed by the recipients. The boxes of unwrapped toys are donated to the families as a means to supplement their children’s Christmas.
Here is the story of how Hopkins County Empty Stocking started, as well as how it came together with Blue Santa.
Empty Stocking began in the early 1970’s as a project of the Hopkins County Ministerial Alliance. The Texas Department of Health and Human Resources asked each community to address the needs of the poor during Christmas. Several ministers asked the woman of their congregations to help and a core group was established. Pat Johnson, Carolyn Stewart, Nancy Barton, Ann Sewell and Dorothy Ponder were just a few of those that helped the program get started. Their mission was always to preserve the dignity of the family. For this reason, the toys were given to the parents a few weeks prior to Christmas so that the gifts could be from the parents and the children might not ever know where they came from. As the program grew they decided to fulfill the legal requirements to attend the Dallas Toy Market each year to buy toys in bulk. Several locations were used to store toys over the years, but the toys are now stored at Grocery Supply Company.
In the early 2000’s there were three groups essentially doing the same thing: Empty Stocking, Angel Tree and Blue Santa. These three groups finally came together into the present system of Blue Santa and Empty Stocking working together to raise money, purchase and distribute toys while Angel Tree concentrates on clothing items.
We look to serve over 300 families this year. That translates to 4,000+ toys! Signups for families are done through CanHelp. Local law enforcement and other departments put on a Toy Drive the first week of December at Lowe’s parking lot. Toy distribution will be held at FUMC in Sulphur Springs on Saturday December 14, 2019.
Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs News
PHYSICS
Students in Lee LaRue’s physics class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center get together for a study session before finals. They include, from right, Bennie Whetstone, Sarah Leano, Nathan Tlegiser, Caeden Reddick and Williams Jones.
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.
White Castle Recalls Limited Production of Frozen Sliders
December 10, 2010 – White Castle has initiated a voluntary recall of a limited number of frozen 6-pack cheeseburgers, frozen 6-pack hamburgers, frozen 6-pack jalapeno cheeseburgers, 16-pack hamburgers, 16-pack cheeseburgers for the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
The voluntary recall will impact product on shelves at select retailers with best by dates ranging from 04 Aug 2020 to 17 Aug 2020. Any product with these dates on shelves is presently being removed. Any product with a best by date before or after these best by dates is not included in the voluntary recall.
To date, public health officials have not reported any illness associated with these products, according to the company and FDA announcements.
White Castle conducts frequent and regular quality assurance tests. A recent sample conducted by a third party laboratory of its frozen sandwiches from one manufacturing facility showed a presence of Listeria monocytogenes, halting any shipment of product to customers. Since the problem was identified, White Castle has not shipped any product from this facility to customers. Following rigorous safety testing protocols, all impacted production runs have been identified for destruction.
White Castle is taking the following actions at the facility where the problem was identified:
- Intensive sanitation and cleaning with guidance from outside food safety experts.
- Aggressively elevating already strong food safety testing and manufacturing guidelines.
- Conducting comprehensive testing to confirm no presence of listeria in the facility. “This voluntary recall is precautionary and is the right thing to do,” said Richardson.
Customers who may have purchased any of the products indicated (product codes listed below) are urged to dispose of them or return them to the store where they were purchased for an exchange or full refund and to consult with their physician regarding any medical questions.
Customers may also contact White Castle at 1-800-843-2728.
White Castle frozen sandwiches are sold in rectangular cardboard packages and the code date is located on a side panel.
A complete list of recalled products may be viewed on the FDA announcement page
Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton Discusses Team's First Scrimmage This Saturday on Coaches Show
Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton, in his second year here, says he is excited and ready to get things rolling. This Saturday (December 14) the Wildcats have their first scrimmage of the season at The Prim against Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill, Sabine and Mineola. Coach Upton was on KSST and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show last Saturday. The Wildcats scrimmage Chapel Hill at 9 a.m., Sabine at 11 a.m. and Mineola at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Wildcats JV scrimmages Chapel Hill at 3 p.m. and Sabine at 4 p.m. Coach Upton says all the teams at the scrimmage are solid teams and should provide a good test for the Wildcats. He says he’ll be working to clean up things for the Wildcats so they can get better. Coach Upton says they will need to work on possessing the ball and increasing their speed of play. He says the Wildcats have looked good in practices that started December 2. Coach Upton says he held tryouts Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday last week and then assigned players to the varsity and JV teams. Friday he says the Wildcats and JV played each other. Coach Upton says the Wildcats have more depth than they did last year and are more talented. He says he would like to have the numbers to create a freshman team. Coach Upton is also working to continue developing soccer at the Middle School level. After Saturday’s scrimmage, the Wildcats will have two more scrimmages along with the popular Alumni Scrimmage this month. The Wildcats open the regular season at a prestigious Frisco tournament on January 2.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Basketball Teams Have Non-District Games on Tuesday
The Wildcats and Lady Cats Basketball Teams have non-district games on this Tuesday (December 10) game day.
The Lady Cats are at home playing New Boston in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School. There will be a JV game at 5 p.m. with the varsity game coming up at around 6:15 p.m. The Lady Cats are hoping to break a three game losing streak. They dropped their last three games in a Glen Rose tournament this past weekend. The Lady Cats season record is 4-9. Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell said like Terrell and Liberty-Eylau, New Boston will be super athletic and fast and will pressure the ball. She says if the Lady Cats can stay calm and handle the pressure, they should do alright. KSST Radio will have the Lady Cats and New Boston game live beginning at around 6:15 p.m. with live audio streaming. The game will also be videotaped for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Meanwhile the Wildcats Basketball Team will be taking on the Dallas Woodrow Wilson Wildcats in Dallas. There will be a freshman game at 5 p.m., a JV contest at 6:15 p.m. with the varsity game at around 8 p.m. Woodrow has a 5-7 season record according to Max Preps but they have played some good teams. The Wildcats, ranked #3 in Class 5A, are 8-2 for the season. They just finished in fifth place in a Mansfield tournament last weekend by winning 4 of 5 games. Included were wins over Pearland Shadow Creek, #2 ranked in Class 5A, and Killeen Ellison, ranked #6 in Class 6A. Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta says Woodrow Wilson lost no one off of last year’s team. He says they are very tall with several guys from 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-9. Coach Cipoletta says not many teams make the Wildcats look small but Woodrow Wilson does. He says the Wildcats will have their hands full defending Wilson’s size. He says the Wildcats may be more athletic at some positions than Wilson. Coach Cipoletta says the Wildcats will need to execute, keep Wilson off the boards and defend them inside.
Fifteen Wildcats Make All-District Football Team
Fifteen Wildcats’ football players made the District 8-5A All-District Football Team selected by the district’s coaches recently. Three Wildcats made First Team All-District: outside linebacker Kylan Wade, safety Chase Haney and punter Noe Ponce. Four more Wildcats made Second Team All-District: running back Caden Davis, offensive lineman Giovanni Pizano, defensive end Cameron Kaufert and inside linebacker Ryan Carrillo. Eight Wildcats received Honorable Mention All-District Honors: running back Da’Korian Choc Sims, offensive lineman Chandler Leo, offensive lineman Ryan Hammons, defensive lineman D’Andre Peoples, inside linebacker Eleazar Brena, cornerback Detrick Clayton, safety Korderrian Bull Turner and cornerback Dominique Sims.
2 Arkansas Men, 1 Sulphur Springs Man Jailed Monday On Felony Warrants
Two Arkansas men and a Sulphur Springs man were reported to have all been booked into the county jail on Monday, Dec. 9, on felony warrants, according to sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Bobby Osornio and Sgt. Shea Shaw were reportedly notified Monday by Jeramie Jermaine Smith’s parole officer that that a warrant had been issued for his arrest, according to arrest reports.
Osornio and Shaw received information the 39-year-old Sulphur Springs man could be located at a Sulphur Springs sale barn. They located Smith there and took him into custody at 10:50 a.m. Dec. 9 for violation of parole, an offense alleged to have occurred on Nov. 17. Smith was transported and booked into Hopkins County jail on the charge, according to arrest and jail reports
Morris Lee Toney, 57, of Judsonia, Arkansas was arrested in Upshur County on four felony Hopkins County warrants. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified. Deputy Elijah Fite traveled to Upshur County jail, where he took custody of Toney at 2:10 p.m. Dec. 9, according to arrest reports.
Fite transported Toney to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked on four warrants for violation of probation, which he was on for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence charges, according to arrest and jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified Carl Featherston had been arrested and was being held in Bowie County jail on a Hopkins County warrant, according to arrest reports.
HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite traveled to Bowie County jail, where he took the 36-year-old Louisville, Arkansas man into custody at 4:05 p.m. Dec. 9, on the warrant for violation of probation on a Jan. 5, 2018 unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge, according to arrest and jail reports. Featherston was transported and booked into Hopkins County jail.
