Manhunt Underway In Delta County
From Delta County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page.
Sheriff’s deputies and other law enforcement personnel are conducting manhunt in Delta County for a suspect allegedley wanted for theft. Citizens are warned to not approach the subject and to avoid the area of the search.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross County Teams Get Glimpse of Main District Foes at Saturday Tri-Meet
Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross County Teams Get Glimpse of Main District Foes at Saturday Tri-Meet
The Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Teams open their season Saturday (August 17) in an unusual fashion. Both teams will run in a tri-meet at Royse City against the host and Mount Pleasant. That means the expected top three teams in the district will be getting an early look at each other. Like in intrasquad meets to open the season in the past, Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks will use Saturday’s run to determine which runners will be on the varsity and which ones will run on the JV team. Coach Hicks said his runners have been working hard all summer and he said numbers in the program are at a high point in his four years as head coach. For the Lady Cats, Coach Hicks said he will have returning seniors Ashley Noe and Sydney Washburn as well as junior Maurie Flecker and sophomore Jessica Yanez. New freshmen runners include Lainie Hurst, Maddie Bridges and Emily Soto. For the Wildcats, they will be led by senior Christian Palomino and sophomore Jose Mejia. Coach Hicks says he also has a talented new group of freshman boys. Coach Hicks assistant Cross Country Coach is Brian Jones.
Man Who Ran From Cumby Police In Hopkins County Jail On Three Charges
August 16, 2019 – The 20-year-old man who allegedly fled from Cumby police to Royse City, where he was arrested inside of a Walmart, has been identified as Jordan Isaiah Cockrum.
Cockrum was transported Thursday evening to Hopkins County jail, where he remained Friday morning in lieu of $2,000 bond on a resisting arrest charge, $35,000 bond on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge and $15,000 bond on an evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle charge, according to jail reports.
According to Cumby Police Officer Zack Steward, he first noticed the blue Chrysler 200 traveling at a high rate of speed as it passed him on Interstate 30 west at FM 499, where he was sitting stationary Thursday, Aug. 15. Steward alleged the vehicle showed on his radar to be traveling westward at 100 miles per hour. He advised dispatchers at 9:52 a.m. that he was trying to catch up to it to stop it.
The vehicle stopped at the 107 mile marker on I-30 west. Steward reported he approached the car from the passenger’s side and received identifying information for the driver, identified in arrest reports as Jordan Cockrum.
Steward reported asking Cockrum to step out of the car and to stand behind it. He reported receiving permission from Cockrum to search the car. Steward alleged finding a black and white fanny pack with money and a silver snub-nosed revolver pistol inside of it in the car.
The Cumby policeman alleged Cockrum began to resist when he attempted to place handcuffs on him to detain him as a safety precaution. Cockrum allegedly gained access to the fanny pack, swinging it at and striking Steward on the right side of his face.
Steward alleged a Taser was deployed and the driver re-entered his car and fled in it. The Cumby officer reportedly advised dispatchers he was pursuing the car.
At 10:11 a.m., Steward told dispatchers money was being thrown out of the vehicle he was pursuing at the 104 mile marker on I-30 east, and people were picking it up. Officers responded to aid in collecting the tossed items as evidence, according to sheriff’s reports.
Other officers along Interstate 30 were reportedly alerted and became involved in the pursuit. The vehicle crashed in Royse City, in the area of I-30 and Erby Campbell Boulevard, and Cockrum ran into the Royse City Walmart, according to Cumby and Royse City police reports.
Royse City police, Rockwall County sheriff deputies and Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers set up a perimeter around the area. 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. Cockrum was arrested and taken to the near by jail, then later transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest and evading arrest or detention with a motor vehicle, according to arrest and police reports.
Meet Dr. Blake Cross, New Family Practice Physician at CHRISTUS Primary Clinic
Although having just settled into their new surroundings in Sulphur Springs this summer, Dr. Blake Cross admits that he and his family “already really like the interesting downtown area and the friendliness of the people”. Dr. Cross began seeing patients on August 5, 2019 in the area of the clinic which was formerly Dr. Miller’s offices. During a KSST Good Morning Show interview on August 16, 2019, Dr. Cross stated “Dr. Miller left some big shoes to fill when he retired. I plan to offer that same kind of knowledgeable, attentive care that he was known for during his long career. My extensive training during residency allowed me to get experience by working under many scenarios: inpatient, outpatient, ER, delivery room and more. That experience has prepared me to begin seeing patients immediately. But a doctor is always learning. Graduating from medical school and completing residency is just the start of one’s career”. Having heard of the CHRISTUS system while still in residency in Lubbock, he was interested in coming to Sulphur Springs when the opportunity to open his practice here presented itself. “CHRISTUS is doing good things in small communities like Sulphur Springs. I am pleased to be working here”.
Brad Burgin, Operations Manager for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs, is excited about the array of medical services which local residents receive the benefit of. “We have a growing list of specialties we offer. There are a number of specialists who practice here now, with more to be added. And our Family Practice doctors are the basis for good primary medical care for our population of all ages. We welcome Dr. Cross as he joins the staff at CHRISTUS Primary Care Clinic”.
Dr. Blake Cross grew up in Amarillo, attended Baylor University in Waco for his undergraduate studies, then attended medical school in Ft Worth. He earned his Masters degree at UNT Health Sciences Center in Ft Worth three years ago, and performed his residency in the Lubbock, Texas medical community. He has been married to his wife for seven years, they have a two-year old and a new baby on the way, and are making their home in Sulphur Springs.
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.
