Update: Additional Information About Meth Bust Released By HCSO
Pablo Vega 
Salvador Madrigal-Morales
The two men arrested in connection with the Interstate 30 traffic stop early Thursday morning that netted 8 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine were have been identified as 24-year-old Salvador Madrigal-Morales and 28-year-old Pablo Vega of Denver, Colorado.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Interdiction Deputy Jason Lavender reported stopping the driver of a gray Chrysler 200 with Texas license plates at 12:42 a.m. Dec. 12 near mile marker 116 on Interstate 30 for two traffic violation.
The occupants were identified as Pablo Vega and Salvador Madrigal-Morales. Although driver Vega was identified using a New York driver’s license, both men reportedly gave a Denver, Colorado address as their residence, according to arrest reports.
After receiving permission to search the vehicle, Lavender deployed his canine partner, Chiv, to conduct an open air sniff search around the vehicle. Chiv gave a positive alert to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, so additional deputies who had responded at the location to assist transported the vehicle and two men that’d been traveling in it to the sheriff’s office for further investigation, Lavender alleged in arrest reports.
A more thorough search of the car allegedly revealed a hidden compartment under the driver’s side front seat that contained eight large clear Ziploc bags with a crystal-like substance, Lavender alleged in arrest reports. Officers also reported finding another hidden compartment under the passenger’s side seat of the car. Deputy Zachary Horne and Lavender conducted a field presumptive test on the crystal-like substance which, they alleged in arrest reports, tested positive for methamphetamine.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum Thursday reported the suspected meth weighed approximately 8 kilograms.
Both Vega and Modrigal-Morales were booked into Hopkins County jail Thursday afternoon on a possession of more than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Vega and Modrigal-Morales remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Dec. 13; their bond was set at $100,000 on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
(HCSO photo)
Arizona Pair In Stolen Vehicle Arrested In Sulphur Springs Following Pursuit
Donnell James Jr. 
Mya Shyann Harris
A multi-agency pursuit of a vehicle that had been reported to Arizona authorities as stolen concluded Thursday evening in Sulphur Springs. According to sheriffs reports, the vehicle crashed into a ditch and the Arizona pair were arrested.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies were reportedly alerted just after 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 that a silver Honda Pilot was traveling east on Interstate 30 into Hopkins County. A Hunt County sheriff’s investigator reported a scan of the sport utility vehicle’s license plate using a license plate reader showed it had been reported stolen during a home invasion on December 11th, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Hunt County investigator followed the SUV as it crossed into Hopkins County and waited until marked patrol units could assist in intercepting it. Officers from multiple agencies responded.
Once a marked patrol unit got behind the SUV and Hopkins County dispatchers confirmed the vehicle has been entered as stolen out of Arizona, a Hopkins County sheriff’s deputy turned on the overhead lights. This attempt to conduct a “high risk traffic stop”, started near the 116 mile marker on I-30 east.
When the vehicle failed to pull over immediately, officers pursued the vehicle on I-30 east into Sulphur Springs. Spikes were successfully deployed near League Street, according to sheriff’s reports. The damaged vehicle continued a short distance before eventually exiting I-30 and resting in the center median east of the South Broadway Street bridge.
The two occupants in the SUV were ordered to get out and lie face-down on the ground. They complied, deputes stated in arrest reports.
Both the driver, 22-year-old Donnell James Jr., and passenger, 20-year-old Mya Shyann Harris, both of Phoenix, were arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. James was also charged with evading arrest or detention in a motor vehicle and fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, according to arrest and jail reports.
Both remained in Hopkins County jail on the charge Friday morning, according to jail reports.
Lady Cats Soccer First Scrimmage
Lady Cats Soccer Team is Impressive in First Scrimmage Battling Kilgore to a Tie Before Losing in PK’s
Kilgore has a reputation for having a solid girls’ soccer program. The Lady Bulldogs scrimmaged the Lady Cats Soccer Team at Gerald Prim Stadium Thursday night (December 12). After the teams ended up in a 2-2 tie, Kilgore came out on top in penalty kicks, 3-0. For the Lady Cats, Ashley Noe scored an unassisted goal. Rebecca Stanley also scored a goal for the Lady Cats assisted by Haley Robinson. The scrimmage marked the first competition for new Lady Cats Head Soccer Coach Javier Aguayo. Aguayo was a Wildcats Assistant Coach last year for Head Coach Alexi Upton. The Lady Cats have their second scrimmage at Paris next Tuesday night.
Wildcats Win Two Thursday
Clutch Free Throws Help Wildcats Basketball Take Late Game as They Win Two Games Thursday
With the #3 ranked Wildcats Basketball Team trailing by one point to Rockwall Heath Thursday night (December 12), Wildcat senior Day Day Hall was fouled with just 1.7 seconds in the fourth quarter. Hall sank both free throws. A desperation heave toward the basket by Heath fell well short and the Wildcats had a frantic, 52-51 win over the never say die Hawks. The win wrapped up the first day of the 2019 9th Annual Forney ISD Winter Classic that saw the Wildcats win both of their pool games at Forney. Earlier the Wildcats bested Ennis, 80-55 featuring a record breaking effort by Wildcats senior Grayson McClure. McClure hit a school record 10 three-point baskets as he scored 34 points against the Lions. The Wildcats got off to a slow start against Ennis trailing 17-11 after the first quarter. A 30 point second quarter put the Wildcats ahead at the half 41-27. Ennis trimmed the lead to 12 points after three quarters as the Wildcats led 55-43. A 25 point fourth quarter allowed the Wildcats to put the game away, 80-55. McClure’s 10 three-pointers bested the previous school record of 8 by Keaston Willis, now at the University of The Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Also for the Wildcats against Ennis, Day Day Hall had 14 points including one three-pointer. Boo Wilkerson scored 8 points. Cameron Kahn had 7 points. Jatavion Hall hit two long rangers for 6 points. Lamodrick Johnson added 5 points. Justin Haire scored 4 points. Justin Brock had 2 points. Against Rockwall Heath, the Wildcats played some of their best basketball of the season and some of their worst. The Wildcats came out red hot, destroyed the Hawks full court pressure and hit just about all of their shots. The Wildcats led 23-9 after the first quarter and 39-22 at halftime. The Hawks began to play much better in the second half and the Wildcats struggled mightily on offense. Heath outscored the Wildcats 14-6 in the third quarter to trim the Wildcats lead to 45-36. Rockwall Heath continued their comeback in the fourth quarter and took their first lead since early in the ballgame going up 51-50 with just 34 seconds left to play. The Wildcats had enough time to get the ball into Day Day Hall who was hammered as he attempted to shoot. Then came the clutch free throws. Hall led the Wildcats with 19 points. Cameron Kahn scored 12. Boo Wilkerson and Grayson McClure scored 6 points each. McClure had two more three-pointers. Lamodrick Johnson had 5 points. Justin Haire and Justin Brock scored 2 points each. With the two wins, the Wildcats improved their season record to 10-3. The Wildcats won their pool and now move into the Gold Bracket against three other undefeated pool winners. The Wildcats now play Wylie Friday at 6 p.m. in the Forney High School Gym. Wylie defeated Keller Fossil Ridge, 71-55 and Forney, 64-42 Thursday. Wylie defeated the Wildcats in this tournament last season, 54-41.
Meal a Day Gets Donation from Four Heroes, VFW
Karon Weatherman, Director of the Sulphur Springs Seniors Center, had four American heroes stop by the Senior Citizens Center to give Meal A Day a donation this week They are from Hopkins County VFW Post 8560.
Left to Right:
Philip Gabbert, Travis Estes, Art Romanat, Karon Templeton Weatherman and Joe Robinson. It is organizations like this that keep Meal A Day funded.
Former Wildcat Football Player And Defensive Coordinator Has Paul Pewitt In State Semifinal Game
Former Wildcat football standout and Wildcat assistant coach and defensive coordinator Triston Abron is in his second year as Head Football Coach for the Paul Pewitt Brahmas.
It will be Brahmas versus Brahmas Friday night, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m., as Paul Pewitt plays East Bernard at Waco ISD Stadium in a State Semifinal Game in Class 3A, Division II.
In a radio interview by phone with Coach Abron Thursday morning, he credits big buy-in from his players. He is also hoping to keep on proving some doubters wrong.
Paul Pewitt was picked by some experts to finish fourth in their district. They ended up with just a single loss in district play, to Daingerfield, and tied for first place.
Coach Abron still does not believe Paul Pewitt is getting the respect they deserve as a 13-1 team. He says the Brahmas are big up front which makes their running game go. The former defensive coordinator says Paul Pewitt has played decent defense. He adds he still can’t stand to give up touchdowns; he wants to shut out every team.
Coach Abron says beating Daingerfield in a playoff rematch last week was fun. He says it was Pewitt’s first win over Daingerfield since either 2005 or 1998. Coach Abron feels the Brahmas should have defeated Daingerfield the first time. They led them at home at halftime, before giving up the lead.
Last week, in the rematch, the Brahmas trailed at halftime. He says he challenged his team at halftime and they responded.
Concerning East Bernard, Coach Abron sees more similarities with Paul Pewitt than just the same mascot. He calls the teams clones of each other and has cast the game as Rocky versus Apollo.
Coach Abron discussed some coaches that have inspired him and mentored him. He tells his Brahmas every game something he heard about from James Cameron: Be humble in victory and give God the glory. He says wins don’t come easy and he says they take a lot of work to achieve.
Other coaches who have influenced him include Chuck King, Dwayne McMeans, Greg Owens, Brad Turner, Steve Hale, Matt Young, Rodney Bartholemus and Dean Lassiter; also Chris Owens, Coach Chris Valdovinos, Bruce Silman, Cameron Warren and Kurt McCain. He says he appreciates all the support he gets from Sulphur Springs.
Saltillo Lady Lions Basketball Team Overcomes Slow Start To Get Win Tuesday
The #16 ranked Saltillo Lady Lions Basketball Team overcame a very slow start and then did enough in the second half to defeat Lone Oak, 43-35 at home Tuesday night, Dec. 10. The Lady Lions improved their season record to 12-6.
The Lady Lions trailed 13-8 at halftime. Anna Reeder led Saltillo with 15 points. Chandler Bain scored 11 points. Kristina Wade scored 9 points. Julianna Giles had 5 points. Brittney Peeples added 2 points. Maddy Smith scored 1 point.
Lady Lions Coach Bill Giles said the Lady Lions did a good job hanging in there after a terrible first half. He added the Lady Lions did enough good things to win it. The Lady Lions play at Union Grove Friday evening.
The NETBIO Cattle Sale Was Held Wednesday
Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission
Public Information Services
Producers sold 5,062 head of pre-conditioned cattle at the December Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization’s (NETBIO) Pre-conditioned Calf and Yearling Sale held Wednesday (Dec. 11) at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission. A total of 208 producer/members consigned cattle to sell in the sale, and despite the chilly weather, a good crowd of buyers, sellers and visitors showed up for the sale.
“The cattle held up very good through the colder weather — mainly because they were all pre-conditioned and in excellent health,” said David Fowler, co-owner of the livestock commission and a NETBIO director.
“The buyers who come to the NETBIO sales look for quality cattle, and it was again evident that our producers offered the quality cattle they were looking for,” Fowler said. “We even had a good amount of bidding and buying activity over the Internet.”
Fowler said most of the cattle in the sale were destined for the feed yards in the Panhandle. He added that there were some new buyers who took a lot of interest in the pre-conditioned cattle.
When the sale was over, a total of 28 buyers had paid an average of $733.15 per head for the nearly 5,100 head of cattle.
The NETBIO Pre-Conditioned Stocker and Feeder Calf Sale gives producers a market to offer their pre-conditioned calves and yearlings in load lot quantities. NETBIO holds six pre-conditioned calf sales per year, which is the marketing arm for members of the organization.
The next sale will be held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission on Wednesday, January 15, 2020. The weaning deadline for the cattle selling in this sale will be Dec. 1 and the boosting shot deadline is Dec. 16.
Auctioneer Joe Don Pogue calls for bids on this pen of cattle at the December NETBIO sale held Wednesday (Dec. 11) at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission. Producers sold 5,062 head of pre-conditioned cattle at the sale.
