Gun Reported Stolen In Houston Found During Hopkins County Traffic Stop
A traffic stop on State Highway 11 Thursday evening resulted in location of a firearm that’d been reported to Houston authorities as stolen and one arrest.
Texas Department of Public Safety trooper stopped a Toyota Scion around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, on SH 11 for following too close behind another vehicle. On contact, the driver identified himself as 32-year-old Ismael Gregorio Ramirez of Como.
The trooper alleged he could see in plain view an open container and what looked like another container of beer in a black plastic sack in the charge. However, when handed the sack, the trooper reported finding not alcohol but a gun inside. A records check by DPS communications operators revealed the gun had been reported to authorities in Houston as stolen, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
Both he and the passenger were placed into custody as a safety precaution. When the gun was confirmed stolen, Gregorio-Ramirez was taken to jail for no driver’s license and theft of a firearm, according to arrest reports.
Gregorio-Ramirez remained in the county jail Friday morning, Oct. 11. His bond was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Man Sentenced To 18 Years On Felony DWI Charge
Justin Karl Roderick, 61, of Sulphur Springs man was sentenced Thursday afternoon to 18 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice for driving while intoxicated, third or more offense, according to arrest reports.
The charge stems from a May 1 traffic stop. Roderick was reportedly seen drinking while driving. He was stopped on Hillcrest Drive and allegedly admitted to having an open beer in the vehicle, and that he had several beers prior to the officer contacting him, police alleged in the May 1 arrest reports. Roderick also had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, exhibited six of six clues on horizontal gaze nystagmus tests and was found be be intoxicated on a breath test, police alleged in arrest reports.
Roderick man was scheduled to plead guilty in court on the DWI, third or more offense charge at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. He was taken into custody at the courthouse and booked at 6 p.m. into the county jail to serve an 18-year commitment in TDCJ on the charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
According to jail reports, Roderick’s arrest May 1 marked the third time he was jailed locally for driving while intoxicated, third or more offense. Jail records show Roderick had multiple prior DWI arrests, starting in 1992. He was booked into the county jail for DWI five times between Aug. 1, 1992 and March 30, 1993, according to the jail reports. He was booked into jail Aug. 7, 1995; March 18, 2013; and May 1, 2019, for DWI, third or more offense, jail records state.
Lady Cats, Wildcats Cross Country Qualify for Regional Meet at District Wednesday
The Lady Cats Cross Country Team finished second and the Wildcats third as both teams qualified for the Regional Meet at the District Meet Wednesday (October 9) in Mount Pleasant. The Lady Cats were just 16 points behind Mount Pleasant. The Wildcats came in behind Mount Pleasant and Royse City, just 3 points behind the Bulldogs. The Lady Cats were led by senior Sydney Washburn who finished third overall while running her best time on the Mount Pleasant course. Freshman Laney Hurst was fourth in the race and ran a personal best. Junior Maurie Flecker also finished in the top ten. Next for the Lady Cats was freshman Mattie Bridges, then junior Kenia Herrera, freshman Makayla Jimmerson and senior Ashley Noe. The Lady Cats JV won district. For the Wildcats, they were led by senior Christian Palomino who finished eighth in the race. Sophomore Jose Mejia was tenth. Camden Fuller was thirteenth overall. All three earned top fifteen medals. Sophomore Evan Patrick was just out of the medals at sixteenth although an official gave him a medal and then took it away. Sulphur Springs Coach Ross Hicks said that would inspire Patrick to earn a medal next year. All four top Wildcats ran personal best times. Next for the Wildcats were sophomore Alex Flecker, senior Chase Berry and senior Ricardo Torres. The Wildcats JV also won district. The Wildcats and Lady Cats will compete at the Regional Meet on October 28 at the Jesse Owens Sports Complex in Dallas.
United Way 100 Percent Club, Updated Total For Oct. 8
Hopkins County United Way officers each week following a campaign workers report meeting reported how much has been collected that week and total toward the annual fundraiser, which businesses and organizations met or exceeded the posted goal set for their group, and details for the next meeting.
This week, even after the meeting ended, funds kept coming in, with an additional $440 in donations turned in later Tuesday.
“We are very pleased to report the campaign total to date is $41,850.54, taking us to 25 percent of the campaign goal! This amount includes a few donations brought in after the meeting yesterday,” HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning.
The Hopkins County United Way 100% Club, composed of companies meeting or exceeding the posted goal, for Oct. 8, 2019, includes:
- Hopkins County Food Locker
- Brumley’s Uniforms
- The Blackland’s Railroad, Inc.
- APEX Supply
- The Plan Shop
- Joe Bob’s
- Commercial Glass and Mirror
- Larry Vititow Trucking
- West Oaks Funeral Home
- Interstate Body Shop
- East Texas Line X
- Circle E Western Store
- M & F Western Products
- Miss Behavin
- Wayne Cooper Construction
- Triple Crown Roofing
- Rail 19
- Pilot Club
- Chad Cable
- Constable Bill Allan
- County Clerk Tracey Smith
- County Judge Robert Newsom
- District Judge Eddie Northcutt
- County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook
- District Judge Will Biard
- District Clerk Cheryl Fulcher
- County Court at Law Clay Harrison
- County Tax Assessor Debbie Pogue Mitchell
- Juvenile Probation Office
- JP Brad Cummings
- District Adult Probation Office
- County Treasurer and VSO Danny Davis
- JP BJ Teer
- Constable Norman Colyer
Berning offered thanks to the Chamber of Commerce for providing a location for Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 meetings. The next meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at Southwest Dairy Museum.
A Give Back Event will be held at Panda Express next Thursday, Oct. 17, from 10:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Customers must present the giveback flyer in paper or digital form, or mention HCUW for the agency to receive credit for the purchase.
SSPL Recognizes 3 Career Online High School Grads
Based on 2017 census records, 19 percent of adults living in the city of Sulphur Springs lack a high school diploma.
There are many reasons that students are not able to complete a high school education in a traditional timeframe. A young person may be pushed out of school with discipline, grade or social issues; or pulled out of school with overwhelming family needs or financial job responsibilities. Either way, this results in educational trauma for the student. The fear of failure makes it nearly impossible to reengage in school or GED testing at a later date.
Sulphur Springs Public Library is very proud to be one of the first six libraries in Texas to offer adults the opportunity earn an accredited high school diploma through Career Online High School – and, by the way, is the smallest community in the state to offer such a program. To date, over 144 libraries in 17 states across the country offer this program.
On Oct. 8, the library celebrated the third, fourth and fifth graduates of Career Online High School.
Pamela Daniels has three children including a newborn son and three grandchildren. She was faced with an uphill climb. She had no high school credits to transfer and began the process of taking all 14 courses and 4 career courses. She had personal issues that held her back at times, but she kept at her school in the late evenings. 23 months later, she is here, (new baby in tow) and sees her goals as something she can face head on! Her advice to other students is “Never give up, no matter what.”
Pamela graduates with her high school diploma and an Office Management certification.
Marquasha Hawkins completed most of her high school classes successfully and was able to transfer 11 of the required 18 classes into the program, which shortened her 18-month class time to 11 months. She has four children (plus one on the way), an extended family here in Sulphur Springs and lots of support. During high school, she had failed the TAKS math test repeatedly. “A diploma could open so many doors for me. I want to be an example to my children and show them that education is important.” She has plans for college in the medical/nursing field.
Marquasha graduates with her high school diploma and an Office Management certification.
Heather Miller was a B and C student in high school and walked her high school graduation stage empty handed, because of unfinished credits and failing to pass the TAKS test. She tried numerous times to retake the TAKS and even went for GED tutoring, but each time, math was the only thing that held her back. Although she still does not like math, she passed the courses of COHS in 8 months, with good grades and a sense of accomplishment. She says of her accomplishment, “I have to do it; no one is going to do it for me.” Heather has two children, a girl and a boy who are very proud of their mom.
Heather graduates with her high school diploma and an Office Management certification.
Sulphur Springs Public Library was pleased to honor these women in their commitment and success in completing this program. We wish them the best of luck in the future and thank our many supporters, donors and staff for all that they do for the Sulphur Springs Public Library.
For more information about Career Online High School, please visit sslibrary.org or call 903-885-4926.
PJC Sulphur Springs News
NEW HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERS
The Beta Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society at Paris Junior College, held fall induction ceremonies for new members at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus this week. To be eligible for membership, students must have a grade point average of 3.5. Newly inducted members L to R: Raven Wedeking, Wendy Springfield, Misty Partin, Sadie Hargrove, Clayton Brandenburgh, Jeff Carson, Arian Jaboneta and Cason Jones.
PHI THETA KAPPA OFFICERS
During the Phi Theta Kappa induction ceremonies this week at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center, new officers were named for the campus. They are (from left), Rachael Whetstone, President of the Sulphur Springs campus; Beverly Luna-Vice President of Fellowship; Jeff Carson-Vice President of Leadership. Not pictured. Emily Nancy-VP of Communications/Historian. Pictured at right with the officers is PTK Advisor Trina Lubbe.
Saltillo Cross Country Teams Finish 1st, 2nd at District
The Saltillo ISD Boys and Girls Cross Country teams had a successful day at the District meet. All six teams earned either first of second place honors.
The varsity girls won first place team honors. That group included Ofelia Cabrera, Chandler Bain, Brianna Tawil, Coach Bill Giles, Kristina Wade, Raegan Speir, Makensa Morris and Yadhira Alonso.
Varsity boys Andrew Redburn, Dillon Beadle, Coach Bill Giles, Garrett Tarver, Gunner Tarver, Coy Collins, Jayden Holloway and Beckham Hoover also went home with first place team honors.
The junior varsity girls earned first place team recognition. That team includes Bianca Castro, Paisley Kastner, McKenna Gurley, Coach Bill Giles, Julianna Giles, Allie Lane and Trinity White.
The second place junior varsity city boys team included Cale Hoover, Evan Andrews, Jacob Sexton, Chris Boekhorst, Luke Ritter and manager Landon Gilbreath.
The junior high boys team composed of Trey Tully, Adrian Don Juan, Michael Gonzales, Rowdy Speir, Chase Eastman, Colton McGill, Jonas beadle, David Whitworth, Ethan Sexton, Eathan Rees, Will Gurley, Tristan Rains, Christain Trejos, Caden McGill and Tobin Potter earned first place team honors.
The junior high girls Sarah Korsmo, Jazmine Castro, Maysen Pipkin, Coach Bill Giles, Ryleigh Redar, Cali Morris, Gabby Ross and Jasmine Alonso earned second place team honors.
EDC, WorkForce Commission Hosting Oct. 15 Conference
Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation and Texas Workforce Commission are partnering to offer “Building our Future Workforce” Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Registration for the event is $15, which includes lunch. The event is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue through 2 p.m. Oct. 15 at Sulphur Springs Country Club.
The agenda includes presentations by TWC staff, round-table and open discussions.
Topics to be discussed include the skills development fund, skills for small business, self-sufficiency program; Jobs, Education and Training Apprenticeship Program, adult education literacy, and high demand job training/Texas Industry Partnership.
For additional information, contact SSEDC at 903-439-0101 or [email protected]
Mesquite Man Arrested Near Cumby On Reckless Driving, Drug Paraphernalia Charges
A 19-year-old Mesquite man caught a deputy’s attention as he sped past him, stopped near an address for which he’d previously been issued a criminal trespass warning, and was jailed on two misdemeanor charge, according to sheriff’s reports.
A sheriff’s deputy reported seeing a Honda Civic traveling at an excessive speed on FM 275 at County Rod 4792 about 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9; stationary radar showed the car to be traveling at 93 miles per hour in the 65 mph speed zone. The deputy turned around and pursued the car. The officer pursued the car for about half a mile with the overhead lights activated. The car turned onto Old Paradise Road before stopping, the deputy alleged in arrest reports.
Upon approach, the deputy, in arrest reports, noted the radio on the car to be turned up loud and had to ask the driver twice before he turned it down. The deputy alleged the man began reaching around in the passenger side of the car so he grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the vehicle. The man then began reaching into his pockets, so the deputy placed him against the vehicle and put handcuffs on him, the deputy alleged in reports.
During a patdown of the 19-year-old Mesquite man, the deputy reported feeling a cylindrical object and what to him felt like money. The man allegedly claimed to be unsure what the object was but agreed to let the officer check inside his pockets. The deputy alleged finding several bills of US currency and a clear glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke marijuana, crack cocaine and other substances; it was reportedly clean with no visible residue. The man allegedly admitted to using to smoke marijuana, which made the object drug paraphernalia and resulted in his arrest, according to arrest reports. The car was searched but no contraband was found inside of it, the deputy reported.
The teen was alleged to be “argumentative toward officers and, at best passively compliant with officers attempting to perform their duties” during the traffic stop and search, according to arrest reports.
After the car was searched, its registered owner was contacted to respond at the location. The man reportedly claimed to be headed to the owner’s residence on Old Paradise Road. However, the man was found to have an active criminal trespass notice, prohibiting him from being at the address, the sheriff’s officer alleged in arrest reports. When the man contested the validity of the warning, the officer advised it was valid. Additionally if the owner, a woman, was at the location, he would be arrested for trespassing.
The 19-year-old Mesquite man was taken to jail for reckless driving and possession of drug paraphernalia. At the jail, he allegedly continued to be argumentative with officers throughout the book-in process. He was released from the county jail Thursday morning, Oct. 10, on $1,000 bond on the reckless driving charge, according to jail reports.
