Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Lamar County Violation Of Probation Warrant
A 20-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested at his residence Monday evening on a Lamar County warrant for violating probation on a controlled substance charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
According to arrest reports, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman was made aware of the warrant for Heston Blaze Golightly’s arrest. Hoffma, in arrest reports, said he knew Golightly’s Pollard Street address and contacted him at the residence at 4:52 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7. With the warrant confirmed by communication operators as active, Hoffman took the Golightly into custody, the officer noted in arrest reports.
Golightly was booked into the county for violation of probation, which he was on for a Lamar County possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest and jail reports.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, on the charge, according to jail reports.
First Annual Walk ‘N Roll Will Be A Community Event on Saturday October 12
According to one of it’s organizers Clay Pirtle, a “Walk ‘N Roll” is a celebration for disability awareness, representing the first of it’s kind in Sulphur Springs. The free Walk ‘N Roll event will be held from 11am til 2pm on Saturday October 12, where else? but on Celebration Plaza downtown, and everyone is invited! There will be games and children’s play areas, and walking teams can register for The Walk ‘N Roll around the Plaza. Team members and everyone are encouraged to dress up. Teams can enter a Spirit Stick, and will be recognized during the Walk of Honor and Remembrance. (register at getmeregistered.com, or at the event) Everyone can enjoy a Blue Blazes Drill Team performance. Guest speakers will include Jessica Pope of Sulphur Springs and Mr. Diogo Esaki of Orlando, Florida, a young adult with cerebral palsy who is an employee of Chick Filet and a public speaker for Disability Awareness.
During a KSST Good Morning Show interview, Victoria Smith and Jessica Pope joined Pirtle to invite the public to attend for fun, music and enlightenment about the special needs population around us. “I was first enlightened when our daughter Gemma was born. She’s three years old now, and I’m a stay at home Dad because I personally want to see to her special needs. I’m watching her grow and she is teaching me a lot!” stated Clay. Victoria Smith, whose son Braydon was born with disabilities, is also excited about the local movement for disabilities awareness. “Jacoby and I continue to care for the educational and physical limitations that Braydon still struggles with. We are finding that families who are not dealing with disabilities, special needs or special abilities in their children are becoming more aware of those who are. The Walk ‘N Roll has been conceived to help break down the barriers that separate us, promoting inclusion instead of exclusion. And this event is just the start! It’s a fundraiser for the C.A.R.E. Center, which once built, will offer recreation, game nights, and a safe and caring center for special needs persons of all types, and all ages. In addition to that, it will be a place offering assistance for families seeking help with insurance or respite care or various types of therapy, and to provide a network for these services and more”. Jessica Pope, who works as a 2-1-1 Texas Lead Call Specialist at CANHelp, has been wheelchair-bound since childhood. Following graduation from SSHS and receiving her Master’s degree, Jessica sought to use her education where she could help people. She displays an effervescent and positive outlook on life, ready to use her knowledge and gifts to help others. She strongly supports the creation of the C.A.R.E Center.
The C.A.R.E Center is the vision of Rene Aguilar of Sulphur Springs, who is a caregiver for her niece Kandy Redding, a disabled individual now 40 years old. Because the C.A.R.E. Center will need a specially trained staff, Rene is pursuing higher education and certification in Special Needs Care. She also expresses hope that in time, the C.A.R.E. Center will be able to attract more medically and therapy-trained professionals to Sulphur Springs, as the special needs population grows. To find out more about the October 12 Walk ‘N Roll event and the vision of C.A.R.E, go to Care Center Sulphur Springs on Facebook, or phone Clay Pirtle at 903-243-1614.
Hopkins County Grand Jury Signs 48 Indictments During October Session
October 8, 2019 – The Hopkins County Grand Jury during the Oct. 3 session signed at least 48 indictments, pushing those cases forward for prosecution.
Named in the indictments were at least 36 people, including nine accused of two offenses and two individuals accused of three offenses.
Charges ranged from burglary, felony drunk driving, fraud, theft, tampering with evidence and controlled substance charges to obstruction or retaliation, aggravated assault, evading arrest with a vehicle, sexual assault and indecency with a child by sexual contact offenses.
Armando Avina Alvarez was indicted for driving while intoxicated, third or more offense
The 59-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested Aug. 10 for allegedly failing to stop when involved in a vehicle crash on State Highway 154. He allegedly showed signs of intoxication, failed to cooperate during field sobriety testing but agreed to a blood draw, and was arrested for DWI.
Alvarez was released from the county jail Aug. 11, on $10,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Shawn Wayne Austin was indicted on two burglary of a building charges.
The 38-year-old Como man allegedly confessed to the a building burglary on Aug. 22 on County Road 2329 as well as another building burglary when officers arrested him Aug. 27 at his residence on a controlled substance charge. Approximately $10,400 worth of stolen lawn maintenance equipment was located, recovered and returned to the property owner, according to the Aug. 27 arrest report and sheriff’s investigators.
He was released from jail Sept. 5 on $50,000 bond, $25,000 per burglary charge, according to jail reports.
Indicted for tampering with evidence and possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance were Kristal Nacole Byrne and Charles Adam Dunaway.
Dunaway, 38, and Byrne, 41, both of Florence, Texas were reportedly stopped July 7 by a deputy for a faulty license plate light. They allegedly exhibited nervous behavior. Neither could sit still and both began moving around in the car, so the deputy asked and obtained permission to search the vehicle, the deputy alleged in arrest reports. Deputies reported finding a green tube, a glass vial and a plastic bag which each contained suspected methamphetamine, according to arrest reports. Both were arrested and taken to jail.
When Dunaway was placed into custody of a correction officer, the deputy alleged he appeared to have something in his mouth, so he asked the jail staff to investigate what was in his mouth. Yelling was soon heard and the jail staff alleged seeing a bag in the man’s mouth. He later reportedly admitted to throwing up a bag, which he claimed had nothing in it.
When the deputy talked to Byrne later, she allegedly told him she had stored two plastic bags with meth in them inside of her body, according to arrest reports.
Both remained in Hopkins County jail Monday. Bond was set at $10,000 each on the tampering with evidence charge and $5,000 on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Timmy Lynn Clark was indicted for third or more driving while intoxicated offense.
The 41-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested Aug. 4. He was stopped for a traffic violation and alcohol was smelled on him. He allegedly admitted to consuming 8 beers. He showed six clues of intoxication during horizontal gaze nystagmus testing and refused to perform standard field sobriety tests. A records check showed three prior DWI convictions, according to arrest and jail reports.
He was released from jail later Aug. 4 on $15,000 bond, according to jail reports.
Jordan Isaiah Cockrm was indicted for aggravated assault on a public servant and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
Cockrm, 20, was reportedly stopped Aug. 15 by Cumby police for speeding on Interstate 30. The officer reported finding a fanny pack with money and a silver snub-nosed revolver pistol inside of it in the car. Cockrm allegedly resisted when police tried to put handcuffs on him to detain him pending further investigation. Cockrm reportedly grabbed and struck Cumby Police Officer Zack Steward on the right side of his face with the fanny pack, then got back in the vehicle, the officer alleged in Cockrm’s arrest report.
Steward pursued the man west on I-30 to Royse City, where Cockrum reportedly wrecked the vehicle and ran into a Walmart. Employees and citizens were evacuated from the store. With assistance of a police canine, officials searched the store and found Cockrum hiding inside. Cockrm was arrested and taken to the nearby jail, then later transported to Hopkins County jail, according to arrest reports.
He was released from the county jail on bond on Aug. 16, according to jail reports.
Indicted for on two manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges and one possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge was Dana Leeanne Goldsmith. Brandon Michael Petrea was also indicted for manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
The 48-year-old Sulphur Springs woman and 29-year-old Sulphur Springs man, along with another woman arrested July 17 at an Industrial Drive residence, following an investigation by Sulphur Springs Special Crimes Unit officers into drug activity.
SCU officers, in arrest reports, alleged 10 grams of methamphetamine was purchased from the occupants of the residence during four separate under cover buys during the course of their investigation. The officers reportedly used that information to obtain a search warrant for the residence. The officers found approximately 4.7 grams of methamphetamine hidden in a pillow case in the bedroom and recovered as evidence, SCU officers alleged in arrest reports.
Goldsmith remained in the county jail Friday night, Oct. 4. Bond was set at $45,000 on one manufacture or delivery charge and the possession charge, and $20,000 on the other manufacture or delivery charge, according to jail reports. Petrea also remained in the county jail Oct. 4 on $45,000 bond on the manufacture or delivery charge, according to jail reports.
Jakwaviane Kentrail Goodson, 22, was indicted for sexual assault of a child and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair.
He was arrested July 20 and remained in Hopkins County jail Friday night, Oct. 4, in lieu of $100,000 bond on the sexual assault charge and $10,000 bond on the other, according to jail reports.
Indicted for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information was Timothy Allen Gordon, 54, of Winnsboro.
Gordon has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest Aug. 26, according to jail reports. Bond on the indictment was set at $10,000, according to court reports.
Indicted for obstruction or retaliation was Ramiro Eliseo Hernandez.
The 26-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested July 18 at the courthouse, where he allegedly threatened a courthouse bailiff. He was reportedly scheduled for a pre-trial appearance in court, and became mad when his court date was rescheduled. He exited allegedly exited the courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse and destroyed county property in the hallway. When the bailiff confronted him, Hernandez allegedly threatened to whip the court official when he got off work, according to arrest reports.
Hernandez remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Oct. 7. Bond on the charge was set at $20,000, according to jail reports.
Miranda Lee Hodges was indicted for theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions.
The 33-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was arrested Aug. 25. She was reported by Walmart staff for theft. She allegedly exited the store past all points of sale with several pieces of merchandise she did not pay for. Store asset protection staff reportedly told police the merchandise was valued at about $345. A records check showed prior convictions, resulting in the charge being enhanced to a felony offense, according to police reports.
Hodges was released from the county jail Aug. 28 on $5,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Joshua Logan Martin was indicted for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair.
The 29-year-old Saltillo man has been in the county jail since his arrest Aug. 1. He was stopped for speeding and taken into custody on a misdemeanor warrant. After he exited the patrol vehicle at jail, the deputy reported finding a glass pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine stuffed between the back seats. He allegedly claimed to hide it to avoid trouble, according to arrest reports.
Martin remained in Hopkins County jail Monday in lieu of $10,000 on each charge, according to jail reports.
Marcos Steven Mehlhoff was indicted for indecency with a child by sexual contact.
Mehlhoff, 46, was arrested July 10, following an investigation of alleged sexual abuse of a child. Police Department detectives were contacted after a report of suspected sexual abuse of a child was reported to Child Protective Services. Mehlhoff was identified as the suspect. The alleged victim was reported by police to be an elementary-aged child, who is not a member of the suspect’s family.
Mehlhoff was released from the county jail Aug. 28 on $35,000 bond on the second-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
Indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was Douglas Paul Merrell.
The 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man turned himself in and was arrested on the charge on Aug. 19 and was released on $50,000 bond Aug. 20, according to jail reports.
Indicted for driving while intoxicated, third or more offense, was Clifford William Morris.
The 53-year-old Mineola man was arrested July 29. He was stopped by a deputy for a traffic violation and was alleged to have an open alcoholic beverage container by his right leg. He reportedly displayed signs of intoxication and failed standard field sobriety tests. He has at least two prior DWI charges, according to arrest and jail reports.
Clifford William Morris was released from jail July 30 on $10,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Herman Lee Morris Jr. was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence.
The 29-year-old was arrested Aug. 16 after he and his 1-year-old allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine, during an investigation by special crimes unit and Child Protective Services officials. The offense was alleged to have occurred on June 30. Morris was found during the CPS investigation to be the person entrusted with the care of the child, SCU investigators alleged in arrest reports.
Morris remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning. Bond was set at $20,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Derrick Dwayne Smith was indicted for burglary of a building.
The 37-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested July 16 for allegedly breaking into the Veterans of Foreign War Post 8560. Police responded at 3 a.m. to a report of what looked like a break-in at the post. Police found the gate at the back of the property pried open. A search of the area around the building revealed Smith “laying on the ground.” Smith was alleged to be in “possession of several bank bags that were previously located in the office,” police alleged in arrest reports.
Smith remained in Hopkins County jail Monday. Bond was set at $5,000 on the burglary charge, according to jail reports.
Indicted for assault of a public servant was Dillon Earl Stubblefield.
The Sulphur Springs resident, 21 at the time of his arrest on Aug. 25, was accused of punching a jailer. He was placed in a “v” cell when arrested on another charge, and punched the correction officer who opened his cell door later that morning, according to arrest reports.
Stubblefield was released from the county jail on Oct. 4 on $25,000 bond, according to jail reports.
Kristopher Thomas was indicted on two tampering with or fabricating physical evidence charges, according to court reports.
The 23-year-old Texarkana, Arkansas man was arrested July 29, after allegedly trying to discard a bag with an Ecstasy pill inside of it during a traffic stop, according to arrest reports.
He remained in the county jail Monday. Bond was set at $10,000 on one charge and $5,000 on the other, according to reports.
Brandon Ray Timmons was indicted for theft of property valued at less than $2,500, but with two or more previous convictions, which enhances the charge to a felony offense.
The 25-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested Sept. 1 after staff alleged he took items from Walmart and left without paying for them. He then reportedly fled. He was found a short time later in the area and returned to the store, where staff identified him as the shoplifting suspect. A records check showed he also had a criminal trespass warning on file prohibiting him from being on the store property, police alleged in arrest reports.
Timmons remained in the county jail Oct. 7. Bond was set at $5,000 on the felony theft charge.
Jeffery Scott Trieb was indicted for burglary of a habitation.
Trieb, 48, of Como was arrested Jan. 10. Deputies executed a search warrant for his home. He arrived in a vehicle with a woman for whom a protective order had been issued, prohibiting him from being within 200 feet of her. Deputies questioned him about the burglary. He was arrested on the burglary warrant, according to arrest reports.
Trieb remained in the county jail Monday. Bond was set at $100,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Destinee Freneisha Weeks was indicted for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
She was taken into custody just before midnight Aug. 17. She allegedly tossed a bag of marijuana out of a vehicle window during a traffic stop, according to arrest reports.
Weeks was released from jail Aug. 18 on $10,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was Cody Gene Pyron.
The 23-year-old Winnsboro man was arrested Aug. 13. Pyron became upset when an 18-year-old woman he’d been talking to chose an 18-year-old Rockwall man as her boyfriend instead of him, according to arrest reports.
The Rockwall man alleged Pyron struck him with his fist, then put him into a “chokehold,” according to police reports. Pyron allegedly continued to strike the other man and they fell to the ground. As Pyron got up off the ground, he allegedly picked up a pocket knife, opened it and swung it in the other man’s direction, then threw it toward the other man’s vehicle. He reportedly used a tire iron on a vehicle, then left the Helm Lane residence in his vehicle. He was stopped by a deputy on State Highway 11 east near County Road 2389, according to reports.
Pyron remained in the county jail Monday. His bond was set at $50,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Also indicted for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under 15 years of age was Constance Shunta Barr.
Quentin Lee Wright was indicted for delivery of one-fourth ounce or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana.
Among those indicted for controlled substance offenses were:
- Summer Dawn Brooks — manufacture or delivery of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Karli Louise Brumit — possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Jamie May-Gail Dowell — possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Jason Paul Farris — possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Wayne Thomas Hall — 2 indictments, each for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Joshua John Rockwood — possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Selina Marie Hope — possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Cody William McCulley — possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance
- Johnny Liston Powell — 3 indictments: one for manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and two for manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Amanda Marie Williams — possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
SSISD Fine Arts Plans Tribute To National Anthem Before Oct. 11 Football Game
Barring a downpour, Sulphur Springs Independent School District Fine Arts Department will put on a special program before the Oct. 11 Wildcat football game in honor of the 130th anniversary of the first time the Star Spangled Banner was officially designated as the national anthem by the Naval Academy. All groups in the SSISD Fine Arts Department from elementary students on up will be taking part in the celebration.
“Our goal is to have the entire stadium join us in singing the Star Spangled Banner. It may end up sounding like a train wreck, it is one of the hardest songs to sing, but it will be great!” said SSISD Fine Arts Coordinator Cindy Welch.
The high school band will be on the right side of the field Friday evening. The high school drill team will be in their normal position, with the line slightly condensed for the anthem.
Choirs from both the high school and middle school will anchor the choir below the front hash from the 45 to 45 yard line. Elementary and primary school choir students from second through fifth grades will be on the 50 yard line. They will also sign along with the anthem.
SSISD Fine Arts Director Spencer Emmert will be conducting the band and choirs.
High school theatre department is preparing a PSA video about the Star Spangled Banner to share with the students between Sept. 27 and Oct. 8. They will also help hold flags in the back field at the Oct. 11 game.
Middle school art students are creating a color sheet for the elementary students. These were delivered to the campuses at the end of September. High school art students are producing a postcard that will include art work and the words to the Star Spangled Banner. These will be handed out to any fans who would like one at the stadium. Both groups of art students will also help hold flags during the presentation.
Bleacher creatures who want to participate can curve back to the 50 yard line to join the choir.
Kevin Woolley will have a script to announce the Star Spangled Banner Project.
“The students will receive a red/white/blue wristband at their entrance gate and get in free. Parents will still have to have a ticket,” Welch said.
Initially, Bush and Bowie Primary students were asked to wear blue, while Lamar and Travis Primary students to wear red. Sulphur Springs Elementary, Middle and High School students were to wear red, white and blue to the stadium. However, Welch Tuesday reported, the kids will be allowed to wear gold for the gold out or the red, white and blue.
Only a downpour would dampen the students’ ability to perform the program Friday. School officials will be keeping an eye on the weather. The forecast currently shows rain likely during the day Friday and a slight chance predicted that night.
In the event of a downpour at concert time, the program would be halted to prevent damage to equipment and kids getting soaked.
“If we are rained out, we won’t be able to postpone to Oct. 25 because of pre-game schedule conflicts,” Welch noted.
Central Baptist Church Announces Their Annual Pumpkin Patch Event October 12
Coach Owens Discusses First Win of Season and Tragedy on the Way Home on Coach’s Show
A sleep deprived Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens showed up to discuss his team’s district win at Forney Friday (October 4) as well as the tragedy on the way home on KSST and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coach’s Show. Although school buses managed to avoid trouble, some cars following the buses home from Forney were involved in a fatal accident. Wildcat junior defensive end Kohlson Ivey’s mother and aunt were killed in a head on collision just outside of Canton on Highway 19 late Friday night. Two children were transported to Children’s Hospital. (Good progress was reported in their recovery as of Monday morning) It was 4 a.m. before Coach Owens night was done. The Coach’s Show allowed Coach Owens to discuss a victory and briefly take his mind off the tragic accident. He said he had told the team to keep working and they would reap their reward. The Wildcats got off to a slow start but finally put things together. Coach Owens said one could begin to see the potential of the Wildcats team. He said they played at a faster tempo Friday. Coach Owens said the Wildcats got another stellar effort from the defense Friday. They gave up only two yards rushing at halftime and only about 50 yards passing. Four first half turnovers gave the Wildcats great field position. He said the defensive line controlled the line of scrimmage. Aidan Walker and Chase Haney had big interceptions. Dominique Sims recovered two fumbles. Wildcats kickers excelled again Friday. Brandon Zavala kicked two field goals and Osiel Lopez had a successful onside kick recovered by Kylan Wade. On offense both Caden Davis and Da’Korian Choc Sims ran hard and effectively. Coach Owens said quarterback Kaden Wallace had his best game of the season. He also had some good runs. The Wildcats host district co-leader Ennis at The Prim Friday. Coach Owens ended the Coach’s Show with some scripture about facing life’s trials and tribulations. He left the set knowing he’s be guiding his team through the aftermath of late Friday’s tragic event this week.
Lady Cats Volleyball Bested 3-1 at Greenville last Friday in District Play
For two sets Friday (October 4), the Lady Cats Volleyball Team was right in their district match at Greenville. Both teams had taken a set. The Lady Lions won set one 25-19 and the Lady Cats won set two 25-20. Playing at home, Greenville took set three, 25-17 and then outlasted the Lady Cats in a highly competitive set four, 26-24 for a 3-1 match win. Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner said the Lady Cats did not play too well. She said they played the first set like they never got off the bus. She said they bounced back to take the second set but then they let the third and fourth sets get away from them. Coach Dorner said if the Lady Cats had played their best, she felt it would have been a different story. She said she hates when the Lady Cats go out but don’t put their best foot on the floor. Coach Dorner said Brooklyn Burnside got some kills and Sadie Washburn did well as usual. She said again the Lady Cats did not pass well after receiving serves. Coach Dorner said the Lady Cats do work on that every practice. Greenville has won the past three district matches against the Lady Cats winning two times last season. The Lady Lions are at the top of the district with a 3-0 record and they are 21-12 for the season. The Lady Cats slip to 1-2 in district play and they are 19-13 for the season. The Lady Cats continue district play against Mount Pleasant, 0-3 in district play, Tuesday evening in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School. Coach Dorner called the Lady Tigers a scrappy team. She said her team can’t overlook Mount Pleasant.
Wildcat Band Competes at Hot First Contest of Season at Mesquite Memorial Stadium Saturday
The Wildcat Band got into contest season as they attended their first one at Mesquite Memorial Stadium this past Saturday (October 5). Band Director Spencer Emmert said Saturday was one of the hottest days he’s ever had at a marching contest. Emmert said his band members persevered through adversity. He noted that kids from some other bands fell out due to the heat during the competition. Emmert said the Wildcat Band got to perform in a stadium he hopes they return to for Area competition. He said Mesquite Memorial has swirling winds and lots of sound reverberation. Emmert said he also received critiques from a panel of judges. He said the band ended up one judge short of having the top rating. Emmert said the band staff met over the weekend to discuss tweaks to make to the show this week based on judges’ comments. Next Saturday the Wildcat Band goes to a contest in Royse City. This one will offer a band a preliminary performance that can led to a finals performance for the highest rated bands. More judges will provide their critiques.
Clean Up Of Diesel Spill Near Miller Grove Ongoing
Efforts to clean up diesel spilled Thursday evening in the Miller Grove area at Turkey Creek were ongoing Monday and expected to continue for several days, according to Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley.
“A lot of the product” has been removed from the creek as of Monday. Once that’s complete, other methods of clean up will be used over the course of several days. The process is lengthy, according to Endsley.
The diesel was spilled after a six inch pipe ruptured in a pipeline, causing diesel to run into Turkey Creek Thursday evening, Oct. 3. The pipeline had been under maintenance for two months, and ruptured when diesel was pumped into it. When the pipe ruptured, the pipeline was shut down and mitigation was started to contain the diesel, county officials reported Friday morning.
All the major stakeholders — including Hopkins County Office of Emergency Management, Sabine River Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials — remain at the site in an ongoing unified effort. Precinct 1 staff continue to work to help keep water on the road to keep the dust down as well, according to the fire chief.
Much of the creek bed along the 1.25-mile stretch of Turkey Creek is dry, with only a few pockets of water, which helped stop the spread before it got into the drinking water, according to Endsley. Some fish in those small pockets of water did die. However, none have been found since the first full day following the diesel spill, according to Endsley.
As of Monday, 24,186 barrels of substance had been removed from the area. However, Hopkins County OEM officials report not all contain product, some are mostly water. An estimated 10,048 barrels were diesel. Most of the substance now being removed contain mostly water, the officials said.
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.
