Two Bright Star Christian School Students Selected for 4-States Honors Band
In a news release from Band Director Richard Shanks, two students of the Bright Star Christian School in Hopkins County have qualified for positions in the 2020 4-States Honors Band. Valerie Jenkins and Brianne Jenkins joined with other students from Texas as well as Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana in try-outs for the honor of being selected. Now, those who were selected will play in one or more of the 4-States Concert Band, Jazz Band and Symphonic Bands. Rehearsals are now going on under the baton of a University Band Conductor for a total of fourteen hours of instruction. The first concert of 2020 will be held on Saturday January 18, 2020 at 2pm.
Valerie and Brianne are daughters of April and Thomas Jenkins of Cumby. This is the sisters’ second year to be named to the 4-States Honors Band. Bright Star Christian School, a private school offering religious instruction, is located at 8757 Highway 11 East in Hopkins County near Como, Texas.
Hopkins County Pair Arrested After 1-Year-Old Tests Positive For Meth
Joseph Ryan Sims 
Stephanie Jo Howse
A Sulphur Springs man and Brashear woman, both 31, were jailed Thursday for child endangerment. A 26-year-old Rowlett man with the woman at the time of her arrest also was jailed, according to arrest reports.
The arrests are reportedly the result of a joint investigation by the Sulphur Springs Special Crimes Unit and Child Protective Services personnel of Joseph Ryan Sims and Stephanie Jo Howse. They are alleged on Jan. 3 to have endangered the child by exposure to methamphetamine at a Helm Lane residence. The couple’s 1-year-old allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine. Both Sims and Howse also tested positive on drug screens for meth, the SCU Lt. Mark Estes and Sgt. Joe Scott alleged in arrest reports.
Based on that information, the SCU officers sought and obtained warrants for Sims’ and Howse’s arrests. Estes and Scott served Sims with an endangering a child warrant at 3 p.m. Jan. 16 at his West Industrial Drive residence, according to arrest reports. Howse was reportedly served with an endangering of a child warrant at 4 p.m. at the South Broadway Street convenience store, where arrest reports show she is employed.
While at the store serving the woman with the warrant, they encountered a 26-year-old Rowlett man, who was with the woman. He allegedly admitted to the SCU investigators he had marijuana. Scott removed marijuana from the man’s pockets, resulting in his arrest for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana, the SCU officers alleged in arrest reports.
Sims was released from Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Jan. 17, on $20,000 bond on the endangering of a child charge. Howse remained in jail Friday morning in lieu of $20,000 bond on the endangering of a child charge. The Rowlett man also remained in jail Friday morning in lieu of $1,000 bond on the misdemeanor marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
Winter is a Good Time to Visit Cooper Lake State Park
According to Steve Killian, Park Complex Supervisor at Cooper Lake State Park, Winter brings a unique experience for people who visit the park. In January, seven programs are offered which focus on family and learning about our natural world. Local fishermen as well as kids will be interested in an all-day Trout Fishing Day on Saturday January 25, 2020. Admission to the park is always just $5 per adult, and kids 12 and under are always admitted free. There is no cost to participate in the trout fishing event, and no fishing license is required during the hours of the hours of the event.
This Saturday January 18, there’s an archery event and on the afternoon of Sunday January 19, there’s a guided Walk n Talk for education, fun and great outdoor exercise. All programs are free with paid entrance fees. and year-round, the South Sulphur Unit of Cooper Lake State Park also offers Equestrian Trails for horseback riders and campers.
Contact the Ranger Station at Cooper Lake State Park by calling 903-945-5256 South Sulphur Unit, or phone 903-395-3100 for the Doctor’s Creek Unit.
Here’s a great idea for gifts for for your family vacations! Get a Season Pass to all of Texas’ 88 State Parks is only $70! The season pass-holder gets unlimited free admission to any or all the parks for a year, and that goes for everyone in his/her vehicle too! Find out more at tpwd.texas.gov
Lady Cats Soccer Gets First Win
Lady Cats Soccer Team Gets First Win of Season Splitting Pair of Tourney Games in Terrell Thursday
The Lady Cats Soccer Team was involved in a pair of 1-0 games on Thursday (January 16) on the first day of the Terrell Tiger Winter Blast Tournament.
In the opener, the Lady Cats defeated Athens, 1-0. Lady Cats Coach Javier Aguayo said his team had a tough first half but then came out in the second half and started moving the ball and creating chances. As a result, the Lady Cats scored a goal. Rebekah Stanley scored the unassisted goal. Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats would have scored at least three more goals but were unlucky. He said he was proud of the way the Lady Cats came out in the second half and resolved the game.
In the tournament late game, the Lady Cats lost a 1-0 match to host Terrell. Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats got off to a bad start and gave up a goal during the first 15 minutes of the game. He said other than that, the Lady Cats controlled the game. He said they came out in the second half and had some mistakes in the defensive end but other than that they kept possession of the ball during the last 20 minutes of play but could not put the ball in the back of the net. The Lady Cats season record is now 1-4-1. In the tournament Friday, the Lady Cats play Seagoville at 6:30 p.m.
Wildcats Soccer End In Tie
Wildcats Soccer Battles Weather and Kilgore, Terrell Tourney Game Ends in 1-1 Tie Thursday
The Wildcats Soccer Team opened play in the Terrell Tiger Winter Class tournament Thursday morning (January 16) with a 1-1 tie with Kilgore. Wildcats Coach Alexi Upton said the game featured nasty weather with rainy, wet and windy conditions. He said it was hard for players to read the ball or judge much. Coach Upton said Kilgore is a good team and he added the Wildcats played well. He said the tie keeps the Wildcats where they need to be to win the tournament. Wildcat Angel Andino scored the Wildcats goal assisted by Kevin Yanez. The Wildcats season record is now 2-4-3. The Wildcats will continue group play against Hallsville Friday at 2 p.m. and against Seagoville Saturday at 12:30 p.m. If the Wildcats win their group, they will play for the tournament championship Saturday evening at 6:45 p.m.
Cumby Boil Warning Lifted For FM 275 North Water Customers
The boil water notice issued Jan. 9 for Cumby water customers on FM 275 north has been lifted, according to the notice Cumby Place 5 Alderman Julie Morris posted on the City of Cumby Facebook page shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16.
The boil water notice was issued as required by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality due to a water main break
Sulphur Springs ISD Bus Involved In Minor Crash
A Sulphur Springs Independent School District bus was involved in a minor traffic crash Thursday afternoon, Jan. 16, according to SSISD administrators.
“This afternoon one of our buses was hit from behind by a passenger vehicle on College Street. There were students along with the driver on the bus. EMTs checked out the students and the driver, and no injuries were reported,” SSISD Assistant Superintendent Rusty Harden stated in a press release.
Driving Class Offered At Senior Citizens Center
An Affiliated Driving School Class is scheduled Jan. 30 at the Senior Citizens Center. The class is open to all ages, but those planning are asked to sign up as soon as possible to ensure enough will be attending to host the class.
“I need people to sign up for this class before I have to cancel it,” Karon Weatherman, program and marketing director for the Senior Citizens Center.
Those looking for a discount on liability insurance of a class to help with a ticket may want to put this class on their calendars. Those taking the class for these purposes are recommended to contact their insurance agent to verify the discount and the court the ticket was issued for to confirm requirements for ticket dismissal, in advance.
“It is good for 10 percent off of your liability insurance or ticket dismissal. The cost of the class is $15 for insurance discount and $25 for ticket dismissal. The discount is good for 3 years,” Weatherman noted.
For more information about the driving class or to register contact Weatherman at the Senior Citizens Center at 903-885-1661, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears Basketball Team Gets District Win Against Bloomburg
The Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears Basketball Team overwhelmed Bloomburg in district play, 67-12 Tuesday (January 14). The Lady Bears outscored Bloomburg in every quarter leading 19-4 after one quarter, 34-9 at the half and 50-12 after three quarters. Skylar Stanley had a big game with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 6 steals and an assist. Bailey Neal scored 11 points, 1 rebound, 2 steals and an assist. Dalena di. Donato had 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals and an assist. Angel Brown had 7 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 assists. Jada Wade had 6 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Lady Bears Coach Zandra Peyton said Wade also had a big defensive game keeping Bloomburg’s key player from scoring any field goals and limiting her to a pair of free throws. Alley Collett had 5 points and an assist. Molly Kelly had 5 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal and 3 assists. Tori Raine had 3 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals. Lydia Drummond had 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 assist. Coach Peyton said all team members stepped up and had a great game defensively and offensively.
