Sulphur Springs Woman Runs From Police, Found With Meth, Marijuana
A brief vehicle pursuit in Sulphur Springs Thursday night ended with the vehicle’s tires being spiked. The 48-year-old Sulphur Springs woman driving was jailed after marijuana and methamphetamine were found in her pickup.
Sulphur Springs Police officers attempted to stop a Chevrolet Silverado at 9:12 p.m. Aug. 15, after noticing the driver failed to signal a turn on Brinker Street at Peach Street, SSPD Officer Justin Findley alleged in arrest reports. However, instead of stopping when the officer initiated the lights on his patrol vehicle, he alleged the pickup “immediately began to flee from officers.”
The truck continued to the 100 block of Jefferson Street before stopping after Hopkins County Sheriff’s Cpl. Corley Weatherford deployed spike strips, according to arrest reports.
The woman was placed into custody for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle. SSPD Lt. Eddie Moon allegedly found a bag with suspected marijuana and more than one baggy with a crystal-like substance he believed to be methamphetamine in, resulting in an additional charge for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Pichardo’s bond was set at $15,000 each on both charges, according to jail reports.
HCSO: Commerce Associate Judge Arrested In Hopkins County On Assault Warrant
A 38-year-old Commerce woman, who is shown in arrest reports to be employed as an associate judge for the City of Commerce, was arrested at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on a Class A misdemeanor assault charge.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office had reportedly been conducting an investigation of her for the alleged assault of her boyfriend in Hopkins County. Based on that evidence, a Class A misdemeanor warrant was issued for her arrest on the alleged July 31 assault charge, according to sheriff’s reports.
After being made aware of the warrant, the woman was reported to have turned herself in to HCSO Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford Aug. 15 on the misdemeanor charge, according to arrest reports.
Tequila Rochell Johnson remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Aug. 16, on the assault charge. Her bond was set at $5,000; according to jail reports.
FDA Cautions Pet Owners Not To Feed Texas Tripe Inc. Raw Pet Food Due To Salmonella, Listeria
Some lots of Texas Tripe brand raw frozen pet food are being recalled due to several samples of Texas Tripe raw pet food testing positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes, bacteria that can cause illness and death in humans and animals.
The FDA followed that on Aug. 15 with a caution for pet owners to check any Texas Tripe raw frozen food products before feeding their pets to be sure the food is not among the lot numbers listed below before feeding their pets.
“FDA is issuing this alert because these lots of Texas Tripe Inc. raw pet food represent a serious threat to human and animal health. Because these products are sold and stored frozen, FDA is concerned that people may still have them in their possession,” according to the FDA announcement.
The Office of the Texas State Chemist collected 23 finished product samples at Texas Tripe Inc. Of the 23 samples, 16 tested positive for L. mono and/or Salmonella., according to a warning from the US Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA then reportedly conducted an inspection, and collected and analyzed samples of unopened finished product, after the firm performed corrective actions, from additional lots of some of the same products tested by OTSC. FDA testing showed some of the samples contained Salmonella and/or L. mono.
FDA and OSTC shared their test results with Texas Tripe Inc. The firm initiated a recall on July 3, 2019 by directly notifying some of its customers via email.
Samples taken by the FDA that tested positive on Aug. 13 includes, Texas Tripe Chicken Blend – Lot 19196-6; Texas Tripe Pork Blend – Lot 19190-09 and Texas Tripe Beef Blend – Lot 19191-05, according to the FDA release.
The recalled Texas Tripe Inc. products are sold direct to consumers online and by phone in 20- and 40 -pound cases that contain multiple plastic pouches.
Recalled products were sold directly to consumers in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, according to the business.
Lot codes to help identify recalled product are printed on the outside of the cases, but the lot codes are not printed on the individual sealed plastic pouches, also known as chubs. Therefore, if the case has been discarded, there are no unique identification numbers on the individual chubs that allow customers to determine that they possess the recalled products, according to the FDA. Those identified should be thrown out.
The FDA recommends those who are unable to determine whether any of the identified product varieties are affected by the recall exercise caution and throw the product away in a secure container where other animals, including wildlife, cannot access it.
Pet foods and treats contaminated with Salmonella and L. mono can affect both human and animal health. Pets can get sick from these pathogens and may also be carriers of the bacteria and pass it on to their human companions without appearing to be ill. People can get sick from handling contaminated pet foods and treats or touching surfaces that have had contact with the contaminated pet foods and treats. Additionally, if a person gets Salmonella or L. mono on their hands, they can spread the bacteria to other people, objects, and surfaces.
Thus, consumers who have had this product in their homes are encouraged to clean refrigerators and freezers where the product was stored; and clean and disinfect all bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, pet bedding, toys, floors, and any other surfaces that the food or pet may have had contact with. Also, the FCA recommends cleaning up the pet’s feces in yards or parks where people or other animals may become exposed. Consumers should thoroughly wash their hands after handling the recalled product or cleaning up potentially contaminated items and surfaces.
Any who think they have symptoms of Salmonella and L. mono are urged to consult their health care providers. People who think their pets have become ill after consuming contaminated pet food should contact their veterinarians.
FDA encourages consumers to report complaints about pet food products electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal.
Energy is Good at Wildcats Football Practice Wednesday Night
It was practice day number three for the Wildcats Football Team Wednesday night (August 14). The UIL allows shoulder pads on day three but no contact. Wednesday is well known as a challenging practice day in terms of energy. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said that was not the case Wednesday night. Most of the work occurred on the practice field outside the Multipurpose Building. Starting temperature shortly after 6 p.m. was 95 degrees with a feel like temperature of 102. Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said he liked the energy of the team this year. He agreed that Wednesday usually means a lull on the practice field but he said he did not feel the lull Wednesday night. He said a switch on the offensive front did not even slow down the guys that much. Coach Young said recall from the spring has been tremendous and showed a tremendous focus. He said so far the players seem to be affected by the heat for about the first thirty minutes of practice but and then he said they rock and roll. He said coaches are working on getting players reps, which is a challenge with so many playing on both sides of the ball. Coach Young said he liked the team. He called them a neat bunch and he said there were some explosive players. Coach Young said fans can expect to see some growing pains with football Friday being so new to so many of the players. He said his goals for the offense before the Wildcats first scrimmage in one week were consistent execution from quarterbacks Kaden Wallace and Noe Ponce as they distribute the ball, from veteran running backs Caden Davis and Chock Sims, from receivers running routes who will make plays when they have the opportunity and from the offensive line knowing where to go and being physical. Offensive lineman returning include Giovanni Pizano, Chandler Leo and Alfredo Olavide. Coach Young said some defensive players would also contribute on offense this season including Kylan Wade, Cameron Kaufert and D’Andre Peoples. Coach Young also coaches inside receivers. He expects all five of them to be contributors. They are Chase Haney, Bryant Sanchez, Landry Meskimen, Zack Tiemeyer and Campbell Cody.
Volleyball and Team Tennis on Game Day Thursday
It’s another game day (Th., August 15) for Lady Cats Volleyball and Wildcats Team Tennis.
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team is playing in a two-day 2019 Hardman/Watson Varsity Volleyball Tournament at Wills Point. Pool play is scheduled Thursday and the rest of the action takes place Saturday. The Lady Cats are in a three team Red Pool after Brook Hill dropped out of the tournament. The Lady Cats play Emory Rains at 2 p.m. Thursday and then take on Tatum at 3 p.m. The games will be in a back gym at Wills Point. Others in the tournament include a Blue Pool of Quinlan Ford, Wills Point, Cross Roads and Pittsburg and a White Pool of Kerens, Commerce, Quitman and Texas High. Blue and White Pools game are in a main Wills Point gym. The Lady Cats come in with a 6-4 record and they are trying to break a two match losing streak.
The Wildcats Team Tennis squad, 1-6 for the season, are playing in a Whitehouse tournament on this game day Thursday. Play will continue at Whitehouse on Friday.
SSISD Superintendent Michael Lamb Awarded Scholarship To Attend Leadership Academy
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Superintendent Michael Lamb was announced by The Bob Thompson Executive Leadership Institute as the recipient of a scholarship to attend the 27th annual Superintendent Academy, a nationally known advanced leadership development program for school superintendents, according to a press release. Only 25 superintendents were chosen from a list of nominees from Texas and surrounding states to attend the 2019-2020 Academy.
The Thompson Executive Leadership Institute is a nationally known learning center of academies and advanced leadership training systems. The goal of the institute is for school executives to come together to test ideas, discover new concepts and information, build networks, and engage in face to face interactions with session leaders and each other.
Membership in the Academy is competitive and by invitation only. Many more superintendents were nominated that were accepted into the Academy. Lamb was nominated by school leaders in Texas, met a set of rigorous screening criteria, and was judged by the screening committee to
have a leadership skill set that will add value to the discussions in a “think tank” of peers.
The scholarship pays all academic costs including a field trip to attend leadership development sessions at Columbia University and visits to several New York City schools. The purpose of the school visits is to study the strategies and methods those schools have found to be successful in educating students who have known nothing but poverty for their entire lives.
The Academy will host a three-day Visioning session in the spring for Academy superintendents and their boards. There they will be led through joint leadership training and planning activities applicable to their individual districts. These district leaders will also meet with other leaders from similar-sized districts to share ideas for increasing student achievement and developing a vision for the future of their schools.
The Academy takes on key issues that make a difference in the lives of students, in the success of campuses and districts, and in the practice of educational administration. The Academy provides administrators instant access to peer networks, experts in the field, research, seminal articles and an array of other resources for professional growth and/or problem solving.
Nearly A Dozen Personnel Changes Approved At SSISD
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees during their regular meeting this week approved 11 staff changes in readiness for the new school year, which begins on Aug. 20. The trustees also approved teacher appraisers and appraisal calendars.
One new teacher was hired, 1 aide resigned, one aide was reassigned and the rest were new support staff.
LaToya Hood’s resignation as a special education aide at high school was accepted. Hired as special education aides at high school were Yolanda Morales Hall, Teri Morton, Jordyn Pennington, Jonas Satterfield and Kami Satterfield.
Approved to join the middle school faculty as a sixth grade math teacher was Sarah Giles.
Karina Perez will be switching jobs, going from Title I aide to academic secretary at Travis Primary. Three others were approved to become academic secretaries at the other primary campuses. Ashley Crump will be the academic secretary at Barbara Bush Primary, DeKesha Nash at Bowie Primary and Lisa Barclay at Lamar Primary.
The SSISD trustees also approved as recommended by Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams. Teachers are to be appraised on performance annually, unless the teacher qualifies for three-year in-class appraisals. Their supervisor or an approved appraiser will evaluate the teacher’s performance according to the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System over a 45 minute or more lesson during the approved appraisal period.
All SSISD teachers employed by SSISD during the 2016-17 school year were required to attend an orientation during which they were guided through the self-assessment and goal setting process of T-TESS. Starting in the 2017-18 school year, new teachers must attend the orientation, held within the first three weeks of school, per policy. Most will receive this during the new teacher orientation, held prior to staff development conducted prior to the first class day.
The completed and appraiser approved goal setting and professional development plan must be submitted by the new teacher to the appraiser within the first six weeks of completing the T-TESS orientation.
Appraisals may be conducted Sept. 9-April 29, with the exception of Nov. 22, Jan. 8-10, Dec. 2, Dec. 20, March 6 and March 17 due to testing scheduling. End of year conferences must be concluded no later than April 30.
Approved teacher appraisers are listed below by campus.
- Administration: Rusty Harden, Susan Johnston, Kristin Monk and Josh Williams.
- Sulphur Springs High School: Vanessa Abron, Jenny Arledge, Steve Carter, Derek Driver, Amy Jumper and Jarret Wilson.
- Sulphur Springs Middle School: Rachel Draper, Jeremy Scroggins, Jena Williams.
- Sulphur Springs Elementary: Holly Folmar, Sandy Stidham and Sasha Posey.
- Barbara Bush Primary: Ashanta Alexander and Rhonda Orren.
- Bowie Primary: Amanda Fenton and Joanna Foster.
- Lamar Primary: Rowena Johnson and Chandra Crawford.
- Travis Primary: Michelle Wallace and Ana Ramirez.
- Douglass ECLC: Angela Edwards and Sherry Sinclair.
- Austin Academic Center: Julie Ashmore and Shawn Sinclair.
Suspect Who Fled From Cumby Police Has Reportedly Been Arrested Inside The Royse City Walmart
A vehicle pursuit initiated by Cumby police ended at a Royse City Walmart, which was evacuated to allow authorities to find the suspect. The suspect ran from his wrecked vehicle and attempted to hide inside the store.
The man was taken into custody in Rockwall County. He was expected to transported by Cumby police to Hopkins County jail, after being arraigned in Rockwall County.
The incident reportedly began when a Cumby police officer conducted a routine traffic stop on Interstate 30 near the Hunt County line. An altercation occurred and the suspect fled in his vehicle, according to reports.
Royse City Police Thursday afternoon reported the Cumby police officer was physically assaulted. Local officials say they received no reports of any serious injuries resulting from the pursuit.
Officers reportedly pursued the fleeing vehicle along Interstate 30 west to Royse City, where the vehicle wrecked in the area of I-30 and Erby Campbell Boulevard. The suspect allegedly fled on foot into Walmart. The Cumby officer indicated that the suspect was armed with a pistol, Royse City Police reported.
Rockwall County sheriff deputies, Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers and Royse City police set up a perimeter. Walmart employees and citizens were evacuated from the store. With assistance of a police canine officials searched the store and found the suspect hiding inside. He was taken into custody.
The man is expected to be charged with evading arrest. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to local officials.
‘Walk the Line’ Singer Shanna Carter Brings Musical Ties to Stage
Shanna Carter told KSST listeners, “If not for the Reilly Springs Jamboree, I wouldn’t be here!” and by that, she meant her parents met as teens performing on that stage. Her mother Mary Rose was in the Asbill Trio with her siblings, and Shanna’s dad Don Carter performed with his brother Charles as the Carter Brothers. All three later became successful in music-related careers, and as Shanna recalled, “my brother Terry and I grew up singing! My dad wrote a lot of songs, and we practiced singing demos for him. I remember doing ‘How Can I Write on Paper What I Feel in My Heart’, written by my dad and which became a hit for RCA recorded by Jim Reeves”.
Shanna formed her band ‘Walk the Line’ after meeting the members individually at area Cowboy churches where they performed. “We all liked the same brand of gospel music, country gospel! It’s uplifting music with an appealing beat and positive lyrics, so that’s what we perform. I also sing traditional country music. We love country, but we don’t do bars!”. Shanna plays keyboard and provides vocals. Ron Vice adds guitar, steel guitar and vocals. Drummer is Pat Mack and the new lead guitarist is Darrell McClung. ‘Walk the Line’ performs at churches and special events in Hunt, Rains and Rockwall counties and sometimes in the Dallas area. On September 7, 2019, Shanna will be a vocalist during a Wounded Warriors fundraising concert in the Greenville area. She also has a music publishing company of her own called “Iron Gable Music” and she is a songwriter.
Music is definitely in her genes because as she remembers, her grandmother played in an all-girl band in the 1930’s. “That was controversial at the time! And later my grandmother and grandfather played back-up for their kids, The Asbill Trio. They performed gospel music, too, with a little country mixed in”. Catch Shanna and Walk the Line on Saturday August 17, 2019 at 6pm during the Reilly Springs Jamboree in Hopkins County, 109 CR 1439.
