Condition Of Children In Fatal Crash Reportedly ‘Much Improved’
DPS: Crash Resulted From Pickup Swerving Into Opposite Lane, Striking 2 Vehicles
Several fundraisers were held over the weekend and more are planned to assist the families of Sandy Cavanaugh Reed and Keesha Gibbs Ivey, who were killed in a three-vehicle crash while returning home from the football game versus Forney late Friday night.
Crash information
According to Texas Department of Public Safety reports, a vehicle swerving into the opposite lane of traffic resulted in a three-vehicle crash. Reed’s son Jacob and Ivey’s daughter Kaycee were reported flown to area trauma centers with serious injuries.
Sandy Reed, 37, and her sister Keesha Ivey were reportedly traveling north in a Chevrolet Equinox on State Highway 19 north of Canton in Van Zandt County at 11:50 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, behind a Mitsubishi Endeavor driven by Michael Miller. A southbound Chevrolet Silverado driven by William Ivey, 51, of Trinidad drove on the wrong side of the road, striking the Mitsubishi, sending it across the road into the ditch. After entering the southbound lane, the pickup veered north, then struck the Equinox head-on, with both vehicles resting in the northbound lane, according to DPS reports.
Reed and Ivey were killed in the crash. Reed’s son, 9-year-old son, Jacob, and Ivey’s 14-year-old daughter, Kaycee, reportedly sustained serious injuires and were reportedly flown to Children’s Hospital in Dallas, where they remained Monday for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash, according to Reed family members. Ivey and Miller also were sent to the hospital for injuries, according to DPS reports.
Medical Update
Mark Reed, father-in-law of Sandy Reed, reported from the hospital Monday morning that both Jacob and Kaycee’s conditions were much improved Monday morning. Jacob, a student at Lamar Primary school, is off the ventilator, talking and eating and is expected to soon be up walking, he reported.
The Reed family also reported Kaycee Ivey, also a Sulphur Springs student and sister of Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat football player Kohlson Ivey, has undergone an 8-hour surgery to repair a torn bowel and remove a section of it. All of her injuries were internal, from tears to the bowel from the impact. She will need additional surgery to make further corrections, her family has been told. She is improving day by day, members of the Reed family reported.
School Support
Numerous county and area schools also encouraged their students and staff to show support for the families and Sulphur Springs by wearing blue and gold to school Monday.
Following Sulphur Springs ISD’s lead, Como-Pickton, Cumby, Miller Grove North Hopkins and Sulphur Bluff school districts all posted notices on their social media accounts designating Monday for blue and gold attire as a show of support for SSISD and the Reed and Ivey families. Around the region, Yantis, Winnsboro, Campbell, Cooper, Rains, Lone Oak, Mount Pleasant, Quinlan and Quitman schools also encouraged students and staff to wear blue and gold Monday to show support for SSISD and the families.
A few school also are collecting funds this week, which will be donated to the Reed, Ivey and Cavanaugh families. SSISD, Como-Pickton, Yantis and Sulphur Bluff schools will allow students to pay $1 per day this week to wear a cap to school. Sulphur Bluff, North Hopkins and Cooper schools will accept donations in the school office this week for the families. Miller Grove ISD will accept donations at home games this week to contribute to the families.
“That’s one of our students still at Children’s. We are trying to support the families as much as we can,” said Sulphur Springs High School Principal Derek Driver. “We certainly appreciate the support from all of the schools, wearing blue and gold and pledging support.”
Counselors are available at SSHS and SSISD school for students who may need their services Monday and this week, Driver said.
Upon learning of the crash, Forney ISD officials Sunday posted a note on their social media site:
Lamar Primary School Sunday evening hosted a prayer vigil and celebration of Sandy Reed, whose son Jacob is currently enrolled at the campus and late son Micah Reed previously attended classes.
Sulphur Springs school staff is collecting money this week for help families. Special shirts are being ordered for those who wish to show support of the family. They will be available at school events this week for $10, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the families, according to Sulphur Springs High School Principal Derek Driver.
Community Support
Upon learning of the crash Saturday, several fundraisers were announced by businesses and individuals.
A GoFundMe account, Keesha and Sandy, was established Saturday morning to benefit their families. As of Monday morning, more than $18,000 in donations had been made to the account.
BackStory Brewer held a fundraiser Saturday night. Corner Grub House pledged 10 percent of sales Oct. 5 to the families.
Tuesday through Saturday of this week The Sweet Grind is offering $5 shakes and floats, with all proceeds going directly to the families. Donations may be made in the designated container inside the business as well.
Sidekicks Bar and Grill in Emory partnered with Dubb and the Luv Machines partnered over the weekend to raise funds during a concert at the venue. They reported more than $600 contributed to for Reed and Ivey families.
A benefit concert featuring the Roger Reed Band will be held for the families of the children is planned on Saturday, Oct. 19, following the 6 p.m. Reilly Springs Jamboree. The benefit concert will begin at 8 p.m. at Reilly Springs Community Center, 109 County Road 1439.
A group of community members early Saturday invited those who wished to be involved to gather to plan fundraisers for the Cavanaugh Reed and Ivey families. Approximately 75 people showed up. Thanks to donations from community sponsors to the Reed/Cavanaugh Benefit, gold t-shirts “In Memory of Sandy and Keesha” with #weareSSstrong on the front and Faith and Hope on the back will soon be available for pre-order.
The Reed/Cavanaugh Benefit group has planned a chili and stew benefit and silent auction. Those interested in participating may call Carrie Crowson at 903-243-2507 by Oct. 25 to donate chili or stew for the Nov. 2 benefit. A donation drive of items for a silent auction will be ongoing through Oct. 30; call 903-307-9185 to contribute.
Chili’s also is holding a giveback day on Oct. 21 to benefit the families.
An account has reportedly been set up at Guaranty Bank &Trust. Deposits will be noted with name of donor for family reference.
PJC Regents Learn Most Student Achievement Targets Being Met
The Paris Junior College Board of Regents learned that the majority of Student Achievement Targets, based on 2018 data, show largely good news.
A requirement of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the targets were originally set in 2015.
“I feel pretty good about most of the targets,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “We’ve got some work to do with students completing 30 college level credit hours in the first year.”
PJC is doing well on students completing 15 hours in the first semester and has a completion rate of 67 percent in developmental math after one year of tracking. A potential problem is increasing numbers of students taking online classes while not having a computer or access to reliable internet service.
In other business, the Regents:
• Received a report on fall enrollment, showing a total of 4,877 students for the fall semester. Dual credit students were 1,805 of the total. The second 8-week flex term starts on October 21, and registration numbers look promising.
• Gave approval to the Continuing Education pricing guideline as required annually. The continuing education department is allowed to break even on courses offered by using the formula.
• Accepted recommendations for employment of Talent Search Advisor Angelina Aquilera, Upward Bound Advisor Kelvin Hicks, Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness Dr. Jacquelyn Messinger, and Vice President of Academic Instruction Dr. Bryan Renfro; the re-assignment of Nichole Perry as Upward Bound Coordinator; the resignation of Assistant to the President Stacy Young; and the retirement of Mathematics Instructor Dr. Cynthia Steward effective Dec. 31, 2019.
Investigation Of Disturbance Complaint Results In A Controlled Substance Arrest
October 7, 2019 – A disturbance complaint called in to police resulted in one felony arrest, location of suspected cocaine and a misdemeanor warrant arrest.
Sulphur Springs Police were dispatched to a disturbance in the area of the 1500 block of College Street at 8:42 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6. Upon arrival, police were reportedly told the suspect had fled in a vehicle just before they arrived, SSPD Officer Adrian Pruitt alleged in arrest reports.
Officers left and reported finding the man a short distance down the road. Several small pink plastic baggies with a white powdery substance Pruitt believed to be cocaine were allegedly found in the man’s pockets during a pat down.
The man, identified in arrest reports as 41-year-old Jose Guadalupe Santacruz of Sulphur Springs, was arrested for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 3 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The substance weighed 1.1 gram, according to police reports.
The man also was charged on a misdemeanor theft of service valued at $100 or more but less than $750, according to arrest reports.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report
09/30/2019 – 10/06/2019
Cota Marks, age 28, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 10/03/2019 on multiple Winnsboro Municipal Warrants for the following: Operate unregistered vehicle, Expired Driver’s License, Driving While License Invalid.
Macias Santiago, age 60, of Sulphur Springs, was arrested on 10/03/2019 Driving While Intoxicated 2nd
Accidents:
0
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 129 calls for
service during this reporting period.
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 47 citations and 39 warnings
during this reporting period.
Walmart Shuts Another Section of Parking
Walmart continues to rework the store’s parking area in Sulphur Springs. Approximately one-forth of the front lot is now closed to customers.
Shoppers are encouraged to use the online pickup option to avoid the crowded area. Other stores in the area have online pickup programs as well.
Cumby Police: Woman Found Passed Out In Vehicle With Sounding Car Alarm
Cumby police and school officials responded at 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at Cumby High School, where a female had reportedly passed out inside of a vehicle despite the fact that the car alarm was sounding.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with the woman in question, identified in arrest reports as 28-year-old Amanda Nicole Richerson of Quinlan. While investigating her condition, police allege, they developed probable cause that Richerson was in possession of an illegal substance.
A clear substance suspected to methamphetamine was found in Richerson’s purse during a search. Consequently, she was arrested for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a school zone, Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson and Officer Geer alleged in arrest reports.
Richerson remained in Hopkins County jail Monday in lieu of $10,000 bond on the controlled substance, charge according to jail reports.
The Amazing Dutch Oven Cookoff 2019 at Heritage Park; John Chester Would Have Been Proud!
Johnny “Buffalo” Chester took great pains and great pride in practicing the pioneer craft of outdoor cooking in iron utensils over an open fire or coals. No matter if it was a skillet, a stew pot or a covered ‘dutch oven’, he could cook anything, and had not only mastered the skill in his adult life but demonstrated it everywhere he could get a gathering. Following his passing, his friend Rick Wilson decided to start a contest in Johnny’s memory. Now, 15 years later, the tradition is still thriving and is eagerly practiced by cooks from all over Northeast Texas, thanks to the Hopkins County Historical Society. On a beautiful early Fall morning, about a dozen cooking teams set up camp inside Hopkins County’s Heritage Park, getting their fires started and coals glowing! Here are a few photos!
The Texas Tech Team of Dan Powell and Geary Almon prepared spare ribs and other delicious offerings, assisted by Linda Almon. This team won Second Place Overall!
Hillbilly Gang members: “Big Mama” Melinda Hitt, Kornbred, HAM, Bakn, Tater, Chikn and Peeches. They made a bacon-wrapped Cauliflower that was a show stopper! and their Smothered Pork Chops won Best Meat!
A couple of ladies from the Tulsa, Ok. area have been competing for the past 13 consecutive years. They’ve had an impressive number of wins! Here is Margie Ford’s Chocolate Caramel Cake packaged for the judges!
Donel Davis, Karen Hunter and Donald Wiggins prepared Stuffed pork loin, Lemon Pound Cake, a corn medley and hot bread
Donnie and Katie Martin were Champs again, with their smothered steak with bacon, a pecan pie, butter beans and biscuits.
Eddie and Sheila Etmus of Cumby prepared a bacon wrapped pork loin with bacon laced on top for visual effect!
Richard and Tina Watkins and their team of Shawn Coleman of Mt. Vernon and Larry Johnson of Nelta offered a huge brisket with colorful root veggies, cheesy jalepeno cornbread and blueberry cobbler.
Coley Jones is a Dutch Oven competitor with a neat campsite, he is stirring cowboy beans and his wife Beth made briskets and a Coconut Pecan Cake
International Texas Longhorn Association Coming to Sulphur Springs
The International Texas Longhorn Association (ITLA) was founded in 1990 and currently has just under 1300 members. ITLA registers pure Texas Longhorn cattle, documents pedigrees, has a member driven show and awards system. ITLA is the only Texas Longhorn registry where members get to nominate and elect by mail-in ballot their own President and all officers/directors.
The annual Convention and Show moves around to be fair to all members. It has been staged in Houston, Colorado Springs, Michigan, Virginia, Louisville, Cloverdale, Oklahoma, Fort Worth, Austin, Columbia, Glen Rose and Houston.
Folks interested in owning their own Texas Longhorn should attend the Heifer Auction on the evening of Saturday October 12th.
The three-ring all cattle event will include the ITLA Futurity, halter and non halter judged shows, educational profit seminars, the Elite Heifer Sale, the International All-Star Futurity, General Membership Meeting, Longhorn Legacy Social, Directors Meetings, Miss ITLYA Pageant, banquet with great food, committee meetings and pleasant times to visit with like-minded cattle folks.
The Hopkins County Civic Center is proud to host the 2019 Convention and Show. Livestock will begin to arrive Wednesday October 9th. The public is encouraged to visit the show, and learn about this historic breed. Folks interested in owning their own Texas Longhorn should attend the Heifer Auction on the evening of Saturday October 12th.
All events will be judged by ITLA approved judges. The uniqueness of Texas Longhorn cattle with their many points of special identity demands judges who have owned, buy, sell and regularly involve themselves with the industry.
ITLA owns their own “clear and free” Austin stone world headquarters at Glen Rose, Texas. For more information on this national event call the [email protected] 254 898 0157.
Community Prayer Vigil Held on Playground of Lamar Primary for Sandy, Keesha
Over 200 individuals gathered on Sunday October 6 at Lamar Primary playground to show support and to pray together for the families affected by the Friday October 4 vehicle crash. The crash took the lives of two Sulphur Springs women and injured their two children who were passengers in the vehicle. Organized quickly, the Prayer Vigil provided an outlet for emotions for friends and acquaintances of the Reed, Ivey and Cavanaugh families. Members of those families were watching live feeds of the vigil while staying close to the injured children at Children’s Hospital on Sunday. Sandy Cavanaugh Reed and her sister Keesha Gibbs Ivey were killed in the crash. Jacob Reed, a student at Lamar Primary and Kaycee Ivey, a SSISD student are listed in improved condition at Children’s Hospital as of Monday morning October 7, 2019.
At the vigil, Principal Rowena Johnson led with opening remarks, and Reverend Ed Lantz led with prayer. Pastor Joel Teimeyer spoke of the family’s dedication to their church, school and community and the many ways they have touched lives though their faith. Jason Deitze assisted as numerous acquaintances came forward to give testimony about Sandy Reed, who was President of the Lamar PTO, as well as her sister and their tradition of dedication to their community, as well as her support of families who are victims of childhood cancer. Sandy and her husband Brian Reed lost their young son Micah Reed to cancer in 2015. Another member of the family, Keesha’s son Colson Ivey, is a student at SSHS and a member of the Wildcat football team.
There are various ways that the public can assist these families. There is a GoFundMe page which already had raised over $16,00 during the weekend of the tragedy, and various social media sites mention opportunities to donate to the family’s needs. Prayers are also requested for the Reed, Cavanaugh and Ivey families.
