Hearts of Life – CeCe Needs a Home
Meet CeCe! CeCe is a 3 year-old Shepherd/Pyrenees mix. He is a very loving, very playful, and very big pup! He is always happy to see you and loves giving big hugs! His adoption fee is $100.00 which includes all previous vetting, neuter and rabies shot. Please contact us by phone at 903-439-5019, email at [email protected], www.facebook.com/heartsoflife or Petfinder.com!
Soccer Registration Will End July 22nd
Registration for the Sulphur Springs Soccer Association will end July 22, 2019. We have divisions for ages 4-18, though all age groups may not make. The child must be 4 years of age on December 31, 2019 to be eligible. (Verification of age will be needed for 1st time players, or players absent for more than 1 year)
The cost of fall registration is $60. We have some easy and convenient ways to get the kiddos signed up. You can visit our website at www.sulphurspringssoccer.org and register online, or print out a registration form to drop off at Hibbett Sports. No cash please, only a check or money order. We do have forms at Hibbett Sports if you do not have access to a printer. We will also have a walk up registration event on Saturday, July 20th at Hibbett Sports from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.
Our Association could not exist without coaches that volunteer their time. You can register the same way. We cover the background check, good for one year. Coaches are required to attend a mandatory meeting after draft on August 3, 2019. and new this year, a Safesport certification good for 2 years, per the North Texas State Soccer Association.
Games will be played on Saturday’s at Coleman Park and will begin September 7th, with a tournament on November 16th or 23rd depending on make up games. No games will be played on October 26, 2019, It’s the Hopkins County Stew Contest!
All of this info, rules for each division, and dates are listed on our website.
Like us on Facebook to stay informed and updated!
Feel free to contact [email protected] with any other questions that you may have.
Sulphur Springs Man Arrested On Felony Vehicle Burglary Warrant
A 28-year-old Sulphur Springs was arrested at 3:39 p.m. Thursday, July 11, on West Shannon Road on a warrant for burglary of a vehicle with two previous convictions, which enhances the charge to a felony offense.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman and Special Crimes Unit Sgt. Joe Scott were reportedly made aware of the outstanding warrant for Jeremy Randall Hill’s arrest, located him in the 1600 block of West Shannon Road and took him into custody on the charge, according to arrest reports.
Hill was previously sentenced in October of 2010 to an 8-year sentence for burglary and one year in a state jail for theft of a firearm, according to jail reports. He more recently was arrested in April of 2018 on four vehicle burglary charges for offenses alleged to have occurred in March 2018 on Helm Lane, according to jail and prior arrest reports.
Hill remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, July 12. Bond was set at $20,000 on the vehicle burglary charge, according to jail reports.
Motorcyclist Killed In Highway 154 Crash
July 12, 2019 – A 48-year-old Sulphur Springs man reportedly died as a result of a crash involving a motorcycle and pickup on State Highway 154 south at FM 1567.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers; Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies; and Hopkins County, Miller Grove, Cumby and Arbala firefighters were dispatched at 8 p.m. to SH 154 south at FM 1567, to what was reported as a motorcycle crash that resulted in a bike fire, and at least one person who was reported to be unresponsive at the time of the crash, according to sheriff’s reports.
According to authorities, the motorcycle appeared to have been struck by a pickup when attempting to reenter the highway, officials said Friday morning. The motorcyclist was reportedly thrown from the bike, which stopped a short distance away and caught on fire, county officials reported Friday morning.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace B.J. Teer pronounced the bike rider, identified as Kim Wayne Ogles, dead at the crash site a short time later. An autopsy has been ordered as is standard procedure in the fatal crashes, according to Teer.
Alleged Car Thief Served With 10 Additional Debit Card Abuse Warrants
A 51-year-old Sulphur Springs man arrested May 28 in a stolen car with another man’s debit card was served Thursday afternoon, July 11, with 10 additional debit card abuse warrants for offenses alleged to have occurred on May 28, according to arrest reports.
Michael Allen Coker was first arrested Tuesday, after Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper William Gillentine discovered the silver Chevrolet sedan he stopped at 1:40 p.m. May 28, just west of Sulphur Springs on Interstate 30, for speeding had been reported stolen in Paris.
When Gillentine asked Coker why the vehicle would be reported stolen, Coker claimed a woman gave it to him to drive the day before, the trooper alleged in arrest reports. When pressed for more details and asked numerous questions, Coker was alleged to provide a vague story.
A Paris Police Department detective contacted Gillentine by phone. The car has reportedly been left running and unattended while the driver went inside a store; when the driver walked back outside, the vehicle was missing, the Paris officer reportedly told Gillentine.
An inventory of the vehicle prior to impound revealed an open can of Angry Orchard hard cider in the console; a credit card with another man’s name on it, a receipt, new set of drill bits and mirrors, and packaging were also found in the front compartment of the car, Gillentine alleged.
The Paris police detective met Gillentine at Hopkins County jail and showed him pictures taken from a video of the area where the vehicle was reported stolen. Coker was reportedly wearing the same clothing as the suspect who was pictured approaching the car in the store parking lot.
Coker was booked into Hopkins County jail for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
The Paris Detective later advised Gillentine that they’d been alerted a man’s credit card had been used at O’Reilly Auto Parts store in Sulphur Springs around 1:30 p.m. May 28. That’s the name on the credit card found in the stolen car, Gillentine reported.
Shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday, Gillentine interviewed the manager and assistant manager at the Gilmer Street auto parts store. The store staff recalled seeing the person who made the purchase. One noted the man who made the purchase with the credit card acted weird, gritting his teeth, in ragged clothing, ‘ like he was high or something’ entered the the store three times. The suspect allegedly tried to trade a gift card for cash, Gillentine alleged in arrest reports.
The other store employee remembered the man because he claimed to be the son of a man who had been his customer for 25 years. He also when asked gave the same number Coker gave the trooper when asked for his contact number, Gillentine noted in arrest reports.
Consequently, Coker was subsequently charged May 29 with credit card abuse for alleged use of the other man’s credit card at O’Reilly the day before.
Gillentine was later notified by the victim that someone had attempted to use his debit card twice to withdraw $100 at the ATM inside a Walmart at 3:51 and 3:53 a.m. May 28, about 10 hours before the trooper first contacted him. Store surveillance showed the suspect to be wearing the same clothing Coker had on at the time of his arrest; thus, the trooper filed two cases and warrants were issued for two additional counts of debit card abuse, the trooper alleged in arrest reports June 12.
The trooper was also alerted someone attempted to use the victim’s card at shortly after 7 a.m. May 28 at a Super Handy store. Surveillance allegedly showed Coker wearing the same clothing as when arrested face the gas pump, and attempt to use the other man’s debit card, Gillentine alleged in the June 12 arrest reports. The victim was reported to be at work in Paris at the time of the alleged offense, and denied granting the man permission to use it. Thus, a third charge for debit card abuse was filed and a warrant issued.
Gillentine served Coker with the three of the debit card abuse warrants stemming from the attempts at Walmart and the gas station at 11:35 a.m. June 12 at the county jail, according to arrest reports.
The man who’s debit card was alleged to have been used by Coker also allegedly reported being contacted by the bank that someone had attempted to use his debit card 10 times at a Mockingbird Lane E-Z Mart store at about 4:29 a.m. May 28. The trooper alleged on June 18 he viewed the store security camera footage for that time frame. The store was closed but gas pumps were open; a four-door vehicle arrived at the pump at 4:21 a.m. The driver got out then re-entered the car and left the pumps at 4;34 a.m. May 28, the video showed, the trooper alleged in the July 11 report.
Also reportedly visible as a rear tire that was different than the others on the car; the trooper contacted the man who’s car and card had been stolen. He alleged the car doughnut wheel was on it when it was stolen and still on it when he recovered it from the tow yard, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
A Walmart employee also allegedly reported seeing the suspect driving the stolen car in the store parking lot at 3:53 a.m. May 28. Video from another gas station showed the suspected driving the same car at about 7 p.m. May 28, according to the July arrest report.
Ten additional debit card abuse warrants were sought, obtained and added to Coker’s list of charges on July 11, according to arrest reports.
Coker has remained in the county jail since his arrest May 28. Bond was set at $5,000 each on at least 14 debit card abuse charges, $5,000 on the unauthorized use of a vehicle charge, $4,000 on a Lamar County theft charge and $20,000 on a Lindale unauthorized use of vehicle charge, according to jail reports.
Simply Sulphur Springs App Special Deals
Find special deals and receive offers that are not available anywhere else. With the Simply Sulphur Springs App, powered by KSST, you can receive free tickets to events in and around Sulphur Springs, TX. You will also have access to unique deals such as restaurant specials and discounts.
Visit the Simply Sulphur Springs App today to receive a special offer on floats at The Sweet Grind!
Download the Simply Sulphur Springs App in your app store today and don’t forget to enable your push notifications to see immediate offers.
‘Skins, Skulls and Tracks’ is Theme of Nature Programs at Cooper Lake State Parks
Did you know we have TWO Texas State Parks in our back pocket? We do! Doctor’s Creek Unit and South Sulphur Units are separate state parks which share a 20,000 acre lake. Entrances and roadways, facilities, activities and staff are separate. According to Complex Superintendent Steve Killian, there’s a lot to do and park visitors are always welcome!
Here’s just a few of the attractions available locally. Anglers, you can fish from the banks or piers, or rent a kayak and fish the shorelines. Crappie, bluegill, bass and catfish are best catches. Boaters also love the lake. Remember, fishing licenses are not required if you fish from the bank or piers inside Cooper Lake State Park! The swimming beach is another of the most popular delights. Bring a picnic and enjoy the numerous table and grill areas scattered throughout the complex for day use, or plan to enjoy a campfire during the evening while watching the stars. Enjoy the fresh breezes off the water and the whisper of the trees that forest the park. There are tree-canopied areas for tent camping, and you can do what I did, and make a reservation to stay in one of the comfortable family-size cabins. Cooper Lake State Park even has equestrian trails for campers who bring their horses. You’ll find that Texas State Parks are great places to relax, recreate and recharge your soul!
Another of the great things about State Parks is that there are planned activities which everyone in the family is bound to enjoy. According to Killian, Cooper Lake State Park conducts nature programs that are fun, interesting and educational. The Skins and Skulls nature program led by a park educator or “interpreter” lets kids and grown ups get a safe, up-close view of some of the wild animals which inhabit the park. You can attend a program on edible and useful plants as well as learn about the many types of trees.You can learn about stinging and biting insects.There’s also Wildflower Watch, Night Hike and many hiking trails for daytime use. All programs are free with a valid entrance permit. Remember too, at Cooper Lake State Park, there is a police presence for the safety and support of campers and day visitors, with added support from Hopkins County and Delta County sheriff’s departments.
How much does it cost to enjoy a day at Cooper Lake State Park? Killian says that’s another exciting discovery! Park entrance fee is $5 for adults and free for kids age 12 and under. Senior Texans age 65 and older pay just $3 to enter the park with a Bluebonnet Pass. And, the Texas State Park Annual Pass gives you and everyone in your vehicle unlimited park entrance for 12 months for a total of $70. I think that would make a great gift idea!
Visit Cooper Lake State Park’s facebook page, meet Steve Killian in person, or call for more information. For the South Sulphur Unit, phone 903-945-5256 and for the Doctor’s Creek Unit, phone 903-395-3100.
Catch Amanda Pruitt on Celebration Plaza July 13, Reece Malone/Kelsi Key to Open the Concert
Country musician Amanda Pruitt will perform on Celebration Plaza on Saturday night July 13. Opening act will be 15-year-olds Reece Malone and Kelsi Key whose band ‘Salvation from Sundown’ often appears on Amanda’s tour.
Pruitt has roots in Rains County and now lives in Nashville where she has gained a reputation as one of the hardest working women in the country music industry. Now a national touring artist, songwriter and creative storyteller and calls herself a ‘living gypsy’. Pruitt is an alumni of Wentworth Military Academy, and holds a BS in Journalism with a minor in performing arts from Texas A and M Commerce. A friend of hers is local musician Wade Parx who is cultivating an active music career in blues. Here is a press release about Wade’s most recent appearances.
Local musician, Wade Parx, (SSHS class of 2019) recently returned from spending a week in Clarksdale, Mississippi at the Pinetop Perkins Masterclass Experience. This year was Wade’s second time to attend the workshops, which are dedicated to encouraging the next generation of blues musicians. He attended daily workshops (2018 guitar, 2019 drums) with other young blues musicians from all around the country and abroad, and participated in nightly jams in the old Commissary on the plantation where Pinetop Perkins lived. The week culminated in the formation of bands which performed at the legendary blues club, Ground Zero, in the heart of Clarksdale. Wade described it as ” a wonderful experience to be around so many talented musicians, of all ages.” The ages of the participants ranged from 9 to 80, as the elder bluesman Bob Stroger, who played with Pinetop Perkins and Muddy Waters, served as one of the many talented instructors.
Pinetop Perkins (1913-2011) was a blues pianist that played with Muddy Waters, another Mississippi bluesman, and later had a successful career in his own right. He and Willie Brown won a Grammy in 2011 for the Best Traditional Blues CD, “Joined at the Hip” making Pinetop Perkins the oldest Grammy winner. It was his desire that his legacy be the continuation of a piano workshop he started in 2010 with only a few students. In 2019, the workshop had over 40 Students and included workshops for piano, guitar, bass, harmonica and drums. The Pinetop Perkins Fountation is a 501 c nonprofit that also supports elder musicians. More can be found at www.pinetopperkinsfoundation.org
Wade will be returning to Clarksdale on October 13, 2019 to play the Pinetop Perkins Annual Homecoming Fundraiser with his family band, the Birthright Blues Project. The band will be playing locally in Sulphur Springs on October 19 as part of the Third Annual Main Street Uncorked Winery and Music Festival benefiting C.A.R.E Center, Community Ability Recreation Energy, which plans on designing a facility for our special needs community.
Seniors Ice Cream Freeze Off Was a Cool Success
Held on Thursday July 11 at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center, the annual Ice Cream Freeze Off was the place to be for persons age 50 and older.
“We had a GREAT time at the Senior Citizens Center today at the Annual Ice Cream Freeze Off. We had 18 freezers of ice cream,” said Karon Weatherman, Senior Citizens Center program and marketing director. “Everyone had some really delicious flavors. Yummy! If you didn’t come, you missed a great time and some wonderful homemade ice cream.”
All of the ice cream flavors were quickly consumed following the judging. Winners were:
- 1st Place – Shirley Brock, Caramel Crunch
- 2nd Place – John and Mary Ellen Little, Cherry; this marks the second year they have placed. Their cherry ice cream won the senior contest title in 2018.
- 3rd Place – Jennifer Scroggins, Angels Care Home Health, Butter Pecan
Also receiving Honorable Mention were:
- Marcie Gammill, Abacus Home Health, Banana Nut
- Tina Cox and Richelle Johnson, Rock Creek, Cherry Vanilla
- Shelby Roman, Hopkins Place, Cantaloupe
- Angela Price, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, Snicker Doodle (the Prices’ snicker doodle also won second place honors in the Big Dip Novelty category at this year’s Hopkins County Ice Cream Contest, held during the Dairy Festival)
- Stacey Wetzel, Sulphur Springs Imaging Center – Peaches and Cream
Also registered in advance for the contest were:
- Debbie Jones – Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab – Blueberry Lemonade
- Judith Beck – Wesley House – Cherry Nut
- Angela Price – Peaches and Cream
- Ty Smith – True Hearts and Hands Hospice – Chocolate Covered Strawberry
- Leslie Forshee – Heritage Hospice – Cookies and Cream
- Teresa Mathews – 1st Choice Home Health – Pear Crunch
- Mary Ann Stephens – Signature – Lemon Ice
- Sonya Miller – Hopewell Group – Homemade Vanilla
- Vender Wright -Ms Hopkins County Sr. – Cookie Monster
- Britney Brantley – Hearts and Hands Home Care – Bubble Gum
- Karissa Nichols – Kindred at Home – Dulce Leche
Weatherman offers thanks to Charlotte Baxter with Carriage House Manor and Linda Mobley with At Home HealthCare for donating and presenting prizes.
Weatherman is always looking for something fun and wholesome to plan for local senior citizens to do, and the annual ice cream event is always a big hit. For additional information, stop by the Senior Citizens Center, 150 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, visit the center website or call 903-885-1661.
