Fort Worth Woman Accused Of Having Forged Social Security, Texas ID Cards
A 25-year-old Fort Worth woman is accused of having forged Social Security and Texas ID cards when stopped by a deputy in Cumby early Tuesday morning. Both documents allegedly had her name on them, and the ID card had her address and date of birth too. However, the number on the Social Security card was fake and the number on the ID card was that of a person who died, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Chaney alleged in arrest reports.
The woman, identified in arrest reports as Maria Cristina Lopez-Castillo, was a passenger in a Cadillac coupe stopped by Chaney at 1:55 a.m. July 30 on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 112 for a traffic violation. When he approached the vehicle, Chaney reported smelling a marijuana odor in the car and saw suspected marijuana on the top of her legs.
The deputy had both occupants get out of the vehicle and conducted a probable cause search. Chaney reported finding a resealable cigar wrapper with a small amount of marijuana in it; a forged Social Security card with the woman’s name and a fake number in the console; and the Texas ID card with her name, date of birth and address on it in the driver’s side front pocket. A records check using the number on the ID card showed it belonged to a deceased person, Chaney alleged in arrest reports.
The woman, identified as Lopez-Castillo was arrested for fraudulent use or possession of identifying information. The driver was issued a citation for the traffic violation and released, according to arrest reports.
Lopez-Castillo was released from Hopkins County jail Wednesday, July 31; her bond was set at $10,000 on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Commissioners Approve Equipment Purchases, Bridge Replace Program Agreement
Steps to attain equipment for road maintenance and fund bridge repairs were among the actions take by Hopkins County Commissioners Court this week.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley will be getting Kubota Tractor with side boom mower, a Ford F250 Ford pickup and Mobank wood chipper to help workers keep county roads in Precinct 3 brush cut, and ditches cleared and brush cut back. The equipment will be financed through a lease purchase agreement. The measure was originally proposed during the July 15 commissioners court session. However, at that time, due to a tie in bids from the two submitting financial institutions, the matter was tabled. At the July 29 meeting, the court was presented two choices: repayment at 3.84 percent interest from City National Bank or 3.93 percent from Alliance Bank. The court opted for the lower rate from CNB, to be paid back over 7 years, starting in October.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker also at the July 15 meeting reported he’d be trading in a Kubota tractor and apply the funds toward another tractor from New Holland. Monday, Barker reported he’d traded it and the funds were included as assets. Because the new equipment costs less than $50,000, a bid was not required for the purchase, he noted.
The commissioners court also gave approval to an advance funding agreement for off-state system federal-aid highway Bridge Replacement And Rehabilitation Program project, and passed a resolution adopting a Hopkins County Bridge Replacement Program.
Essentially, this step was needed in order to be eligible for funding through Texas Department of Transportation for bridge repairs. The county in these documents committed to a 10 percent equivalent match, which has already been done. The county is responsible for a $23,790 match, the state 10 percent and the remaining 80 percent would come from the federal off-system bridge project.
For the county’s 10 percent match, Commissioners Greg Anglin and Joe Price have been doing a lot of culvert work, said Syd Newman, district bridge engineer for Paris District TxDOT.
The county and TxDOT have been in discussions regarding bridges in need of replacement. Several are on the list for potential repair, funding providing, in the next five years. This funding will go a bridge on County Road 4712 at Crooks Creek Tributary, which has been determined to be a structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridge on a public road off the designated state highway system, thus moving it up as a high priority, according to Newman.
Sixty Entering Eighth and Ninth Graders Show Up Tuesday for Wildcats Football Camp
Tuesday, July 30, marked the opening day for the three-day Wildcats Football Camp for SSISD students only entering the 8th and 9th grades. Camp hours are 9:30 a.m. until noon each day through Thursday.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said camp for younger boys took place in late May and he said that change seemed to help increase numbers for that camp.
With hot weather Tuesday morning, Coach Owens was glad to have the indoor field in the Multipurpose Building. He said about 60 entering 8th and 9th grade football players attended Tuesday morning.
Coach Owens said with the start of school getting closer, players are getting excited about playing football. He said the camp helps get them in a rhythm, gives them something to do and preps them for the fall.
Coach Owens said some kids were missing Tuesday due to vacations and church camps. He said the ones at football camp were getting good work. He said the campers were displaying lots of energy, coaches — including varsity coaches — were working hard and the campers were getting ready for 9th grade two-a-days starting next Monday.
Coach Owens said if parents have eighth or ninth grade players around the house, he encouraged parents to get their kids to football camp. He said coaches are installing offenses and defenses for this fall. He said kids are also getting measured for helmets, shoulder pads, shorts and tee shirts so they will be ready to roll next Monday.
Coach Owens said at camp his coaches are spending 45 minutes to an hour on offense and then an equal time on defense. He said the youngsters are being trained on both sides of the ball. Coach Owens said the kids at camp are getting ahead of the game as two-a-days gear up for the ninth graders next week.
Wildcats Marching Band Hits Practice Field Tuesday To Begin Preparing For Fall Halftime Show
The 120-member Wildcats Marching Band hit the steamy hot practice field Tuesday morning, July 30, to begin preparation for this falls halftime shows and contests. Band Director Spencer Emmert said the on-field work occurred after about an hour of team building and bonding.
Emmert said he was excited about three things occurring this year. First, the band will have the opportunity to advance this year. That happens only every other year for the band. Second, the band will be getting new uniforms. Emmert said they should arrive in time for the band to wear them at the third football game, when temperatures are expected to cool down some. Third, the band will be taking a spring trip to Orlando, Florida, to perform and represent Sulphur Springs High School.
Emmert said he is also excited about this year’s halftime show, entitled “What a Wonderful New World.” He said it will include Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” and a portion of Dvorak’s New World Symphony. Emmert said the show is based on Christopher Columbus’ journeys across the seas. He said he hopes Wildcats fans will stay in their seats at halftime and watch the show.
Despite Tuesday’s heat, Emmert said band members were doing well and were getting lots of water breaks.
Most of the early work on the field involved fundamentals of marching. Emmert said not one note will be played Tuesday. That will change on Wednesday.
Emmert also introduced his new assistant band director Elliot Ayo Tuesday. Emmert said he hired Ayo out of Louisiana when he was at Winnsboro and now he has brought him to Sulphur Springs. Ayo, who played saxophone, will work with woodwinds. He said he likes living in a community where the band program is respected and he said Sulphur Springs’ band members were very committed.
Wildcats Football Season Ticket Renewals Continue At A Very Steady Pace Tuesday
Lynette King, one of those working on Wildcats football season ticket week, said Tuesday morning, July 30, that current ticket holders were coming in to renew their seats at a very steady rate. She said about half of the season ticket holders renewed their seats on Monday, which she said was pretty close to normal. Current ticket holders have until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to get in and renew their seats or they will lose them.
Wednesday is the biggest day of season ticket week. That’s the day renewing season ticket holders may seek upgrades. It’s not unusual for people to begin lining up Tuesday night. Ms. King encouraged those wanting upgrades to line up before dawn Wednesday. She said typically the first 20 to 25 in line usually get tickets that they are looking for. Ms. King said Wednesday is also big for people who bought okay tickets in past years just to get their foot in the door to seek upgrades.
Tickets left after Wednesday will go on sale to the general public Thursday morning. Ms King said season ticket personnel are also asking for email addresses from season ticket purchasers this year. She said next year letters would not be sent out announcing season ticket week. That notice will be sent out by email next year. Media members will also alert the public about season ticket week next year.
This year’s season ticket activity is taking place in the SSHS Media Center or Library. Hours will be 8:15 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. each day except 8:15 a.m. until noon on Friday.
South Broadway Street Is Open To Traffic Again
The block of South Broadway Street shut down Tuesday from Drexel Drive to McCann Street in the area of Sonic and Alliance Bank was once again open to traffic by about 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson.
“We hit the gas service while doing a small sewer project. We had called for locates and they failed to locate a gas service,” according to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell.
Officials urged motorists traveling in the area to use an alternate route when traveling in the area to allow crews to safely work to correct the problem.
Traffic Impacted By Multiple Crashes on I-30 In Brashear
Traffic on Interstate 30 between Sulphur Springs and Cumby was hampered Monday afternoon following a series of crashes and vehicle issues in Brashear. While no life-threatening injuries were reported, traffic was impacted along that stretch for more than 5 hours as law enforcement, firefighters, EMS personnel and tow truck drivers worked at each site.
According to sheriff’s reports, an eastbound 18-wheeler crashed into the wall between the east and westbound lanes of traffic on I-30 around mile marker 118 near FM 3385, just before 2:30 p.m. July 29, and emergency responders didn’t clear that crash until about 5:25 p.m, according to reports. That’s after a vehicle about 1:30 p.m. Monday requested a tow truck at the 120 mile marker on I-30 west, where a vehicle became disabled, likely due to a broken belt.
Additional crashes were reported to be spin-off of the 18-wheeler crash, according to sheriff’s reports.
A two car crash was reported at the 119 mile marker of westbound I-30 about 3:40 p.m. Monday, partially blocking the right lane of traffic; emergency officials remained at that site until about 7:45 p.m., reports noted.
At 4 p.m., a crash at the 118 mile marker on I-30 east required additional firefighters to respond as an axle reportedly needed to be cut to remove a vehicle. Crews remained at that location until until about 7:30 p.m., according to sheriff’s reports.
Another two-vehicle crash was reported at about 4:50 p.m. near mile maker 119 on I-30 west. That one took only until about 5:30 p.m. to clear the roadway, according to reports.
Meet Eli Pettit, Lady Farrier
Elizabeth Bass Pettit has recently moved to Hopkins County and she brought her established career skills with her, trimming and shoeing horses. Admittedly, it’s thought of as a man’s industry, but there is the exception to every rule, and she is that exception. Eli has made her living for the past 30 years caring for possibly the most dangerous part of a horse, it’s hoofs. Eli came here from Colorado, so getting acclimated to the Texas summer heat and humidity was one of her initial challenges. However, she feels that every day is an exciting adventure offering something new. “I love the smell of horses and the gift they give humans just by being horses. Even touching and petting them is therapeutic for humans of all ages. In my work as a farrier, I get that bonus as well as ensuring the health of their feet, an all-important part of horses’ well-being and comfort”.
Being a horse lover and then becoming inspired by the calm work of a farrier she watched at a friend’s barn, Eli decided she would like to try horseshoeing herself. She attended and graduated from the Oklahoma Horseshoeing School and opened her business, Diamond E Horseshoeing. In time, she established a career in the Denver area where she gained a reputation that got her a lot of referral business. “I work on the horse, but I work for the client. That establishes a trusting and caring relationship with them and for their extended family, their horses. That relationship eventually reaches out to their friends and even to their kids as they grow up, competing and enjoying the pleasures of horse ownership. I enjoy being called back to work on their favorite mounts and new ones they acquire. And truly, the basis of my success has been that relationship of trust that exists between horse owners and their farrier. And they get over the fact that I’m a woman after they see my work!”
When she says that every day at work is an adventure, Eli means that she never knows what she will encounter when checking a horse’s hooves. It’s common to expect that the clients’ horse or horses will be caught and tied up when she arrives, and hopefully sprayed for flies so the horse can stand still comfortably. Then she goes for the hoof, one at a time, inspecting and cleaning the interior with a pick. If the horse has a limp or is favoring a foot, the reason may be found during the regular inspection. It could be a rock or even a nail causing the discomfort. And simply trimming an overgrown hoof to the proper level can correct the horses step. Eli explains “some clients keep their horses shod, and others never put a shoe on a horse. It depends on the kind of work the horse is expected to do and what kind of surface they live on. Today, there are actually over a thousand different horse shoes on the market, made of various materials from steel to lightweight metals, plastics and even rubber. With all the equine performance sports today, horseshoeing has really become a science”.
Eli is the daughter of Hillis Bass of Hopkins County and can be reached through her Diamond E Horseshoeing facebook page and at [email protected].
2 Hopkins County Residents Jailed On Felony Warrants
Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies took two people into custody on warrants Tuesday.
Mackenzie Laine Fyke, 21, of Cumby was taken into custody at 9:20 a.m. July 29 at the adult probation office on a warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence, according to arrest reports. She remained in the county jail Tuesday morning, July 30, according to jail reports.
Cody Ray Self, 46, of Sulphur Springs turned himself in at 11:30 p.m. July 29 at the county jail on a warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. Deputy Aaron Chaney escorted him into the jail, where Self was released to jail staff., according to arrest reports. He remained in the county jail Tuesday, July 30. His bond was set at $15,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
