Woman Arrested On Controlled Substance Charge For Second Time In A Week
An investigation by the Sulphur Springs Special Crimes Unit officers into the suspected possession and sale of methamphetamine by a 50-year-old Sulphur Springs woman resulted in a warrant being issued for Stephanie Lynn Padron’s arrest.
The SCU officers alleged they were able to make several purchases of methamphetamine from the 50-year-old Sulphur Springs woman during their investigation.
SCU Sgt. Joe Scott and Sulphur Springs Police Officer Tyler Francis at 5:24 p.m. Monday served Padron at her apartment complex with the warrant for manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. She was jailed on the charge, according to arrest reports.
Patron’s arrest Monday marks the second time in a week Padron has been jailed on a controlled substance charge. She charged May 15 with possession with intent to distribute 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, after 8.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine was found in a vehicle she was a passenger during an interstate traffic stop, officers noted in reports last week. She was released from jail May 18 on $30,000 bond on that charge, according to jail reports.
Padron remained in the county jail at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, on the warrant. Bond was set at $45,000 on the May 20 charge, according to jail reports.
Meet Two Ms. Hopkins County Senior Contestants!
Nancy Bolton and Valerie Ross are two of ten local ladies getting ready to compete in the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant on June 1. The local event is part of a state-wide organization which also crowns a Ms. Texas Senior Classic each year. Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman organized the local contest in 2009, and this makes the 10th consecutive year that Hopkins County has held a pageant as well as sent a representative to the State contest in the DFW Metroplex. To qualify to enter the pageant, ladies must be age 60 or older. Be sure and attend the 2019 pageant on Saturday June 1, 2019 at 6 pm in the Banquet Hall of the Hopkins County Civic Center. Admission is free to the fun and entertaining evening.
Nancy Bolton is a member of Sulphur Bluff Baptist Church and graduate of Sulphur Bluff High School. In fact she and her husband Michael are life-long residents of Sulphur Bluff, Texas. She is a former Ms. Texas Senior Classic, crowned in 2012. Nancy stated ” I always wanted to sing in church but was shy. The first year I entered the pageant, I selected singing to a track as my talent, and gave it a try. After that, I worked up comedy skits and presented them in costume. This opportunity has given me courage and confidence, and now, at age 71, I have the joy of singing specials in church on a regular basis and performing at the local pageant and other events. So, the pageant actually changed my life!”. I also get involved in many activities, and enjoy my 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, the newest of which is just 2 weeks old!
Valerie Ross grew up in Arlington, Texas and moved to Sulphur Springs a few years ago. When she heard about the Ms. Hopkins County Senior pageant, she was age 60 and decided to enter it ‘just for a new experience’. “That first year, 2016, I was still shy and my talent was a demonstration of the plant cover that I had designed and sewed. The next year I was in the hospital and couldn’t enter. The next year, I got brave and did a Roaring 20’s skit with song and dance, which earned me the Best Talent Award. I also performed at the 2018 Ms. Texas Senior pageant. This year, I am planning to do a comedy skit which I think the audience will like. The Pageant has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone of shyness, and reveal my personality. It’s been a very positive step for me!” Valerie is a member of The Way Bible Church, has three grown children and has 5 grandchildren, so far.
Winnsboro Police Department Report for 05/13/2019 – 05/19/2019
Arrests:
Kidd, James, 37 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 5/18/2019 on for Public Intoxication.
Meadows, Tracy, 40 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 5/16/2019 for Driving While License Invalid with Previous Convictions, Possession of a Controlled Substance PG1<1G in a Drug Free Zone,
Possession of Marijuana <2oz. in a Drug Free Zone, Possession of a Dangerous Drug in a Drug Free Zone,
Pyron, Christopher, 29 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on a State of Texas Parole Warrant.
Accidents:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a two vehicle accident on 5/14/2019 @ Coke @ Main St. Unknown injuries.
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 142 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 31 citations and 49 warnings during this reporting period.
Ice Cream Social for Lady Cat Softball and Wildcat Baseball Teams
Announcing an ice cream social Tuesday, May 21st at 4:30 PM in the fellowship hall at First United Methodist Church. We will be celebrating this years efforts and achievements. Our guests of honor will be the Lady Cats Softball team and the Wildcat baseball team! We would love for you to join us!
Commissioners Court Approve New Position, Truck Purchase; Hear Rail Declaration, Veterans Services Update
A new truck to replace one that burned, a new maintenance position and routine budget amendments were among the items Hopkins County Commissioners were asked to consider approving at their Monday meeting. County Treasurer/Veterans Service Office Danny Davis gave an update on services helped procure for veterans in 2018. Brad Johnson with Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op presented a resolution to the court regarding future rail accessibility.
New position
Commissioners approved adding another full time building maintenance position, a person who would be “floater” going among county buildings as needed for maintenance tasks. The position would be filled at by Bobby Woodard.
The maintenance person will work under the direction of the sheriff, who will assign him to various projects as needed. He has worked with Tom Glosup. He is next slated to build a fence around the new district attorney’s office building on Rosemont Street.
The position required commissioners to amend the county budget, moving $15,476 from the general fund to the building maintenance fund. That amount will cover his salary, Social security, retirement and workman’s comp through the end of the current year, plus 1 month of insurance, as he won’t be eligible for it for 3 months, according to Walker.
Veterans Services
County Treasurer/Veterans Officer Danny Davis reported there were more than 2,300 veterans serviced in 2018 by the Veterans Administration either through compensation and pension or education and certifications, work permits, medical care and insurances.
Budget Amendments, Line Transfers
The tax office was given approval for a $5,000 change from postage into the operating portion of that budget to cover additional expenses of the voter program.
The treasurer’s office is moving $697 into other line items within the office’s budget, with $537 going toward operations and $160 toward schools and training,
“We’ll have a lot of these come this time of year because everybody is cleaning their lines up,” County Auditor Shannah Walker told commissioners.
In the Precinct 2 budget, $72,000 is being moved from road building into machinery and equipment line item in the budget for purchase of equipment and vehicles that were needed.
The insurance company considered a county truck that caught on fire a total loss, and awarded the county $9,165 in insurance proceeds. That amount will be moved into the Precinct 2 machinery and equipment fund to help with cost of replacing the vehicle.
Contracts
A bid from Brian Toliver Ford for a Ford F250 pickup was approved for Precinct 2 for the truck. The Ford dealership was the only company to submit bids for a 3/4-ton 4×4 pickup. Toliver Ford submitted bids for three different trucks. Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley picked the least expensive of the three bids, for $33,999.45, Walker told the commissioners.
The pickup and two pieces of equipment, which are being purchased through BuyBoard, which will be financed together, with funds coming out of the Precinct 4 road and bridge fund balance until the county receives the money from the bank for the equipment, the auditor said.
Citizens Comments
During the citizen comments portion of Monday’s commissioners court meeting, Brad Johnson read a resolution adopted April 30 by Northeast Texas Farmers Co-Op Board of Directors and management regarding future Union Pacific rail accessibility.
Johnson prefaced the resolution by expressing confidence and appreciation to the commissioners courts for what they do. He noted the resolution (below) will be presented to Hunt County officials as well NETEX.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker thanked Johnson for bringing the proclamation before Hopkins County Commissioner Court and said while he can’t speak for all the commissioners in the group, as a newly appointed NETEX Board member, he is “100 percent committed to your endeavors.”
Judge Robert Newsom said economic development depends on the railroad. The court stands committed taking whatever action necessary to to see to its success for the good of Hopkins County and the Northeast Texas area, the judge noted.
Utility requests
The commissioners court approved requests from Farmers Electric Cooperative Inc. to construct electrical power distribution facilities across two county roads.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin said he and Barker had looked at the request and area and had no objects for electric facilities to cross County Road 2474, south of County Road 2473, and County Road 1153, south of County Road 1152.
Recognition
The commissioners court recognized Kristy Springfield for successfully completing the FEMA’s advanced professional series curriculum, a commitment to standard of excellence in disaster operations skills held by the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Como-Pickton Students Selected as Texas FFA Foundation Ambassadors
In a press release from Chanda Neal, ag teacher at Como-Pickton CISD, four students were selected to serve as Ambassadors for the Texas FFA Foundation during the State FFA Convention in Austin.
Presley Cummins, Summer Gilbreath and Kara Tifft of the Como-Pickton FFA Chapter are among 65 FFA members from across the state selected to serve as Texas FFA Foundation Ambassadors at the 91st annual Texas FFA State Convention July 15-19 in Fort Worth.
Sydnee Neal is one of 20 FFA members from across the state selected to serve as a Sr. Foundation Ambassador at the Texas FFA Convention.
The Foundation Ambassador program serves as the official liaison to sponsors, special guests and dignitaries on behalf of the Texas FFA during the annual Texas FFA Convention.
Neal as a returning Ambassador will continue serving as a liaison, and mentor for first year Ambassadors and sponsors.
Ambassadors and Sr. Ambassadors go through a competitive application process. Upon arrival at convention, they will receive an extensive two-day training specifically focused on donor relations, personal skills development and professional networking. Foundation Ambassadors have studied the history of the Texas FFA Association, Texas FFA Foundation and the records of sponsors’ commitments to agricultural education and the Texas FFA, according to the press release.
Many Ambassadors are matched with representatives from the Texas FFA Foundation corporate sponsors and individual donors, while others will assist in the logistics of the annual VIP Breakfast or help organize sponsors’ availability for stage appearances during convention general sessions.
During the annual convention, more than $2 million in scholarships will be awarded and more than 2,500 students will be recognized on stage for their accomplishments at the state level, according to the release from the ag teacher.
The 90th annual Texas FFA Convention recorded approximately 12,000 members and guests. Members of the state’s largest agricultural youth leadership organization will spend the week attending leadership workshops, participating in events and activities, being recognized for their achievements, and serving as the legislative body for the Texas FFA Association.
The Texas FFA is the nation’s largest state FFA association with a membership of more than 129,000. FFA gives students the opportunity to apply practical classroom knowledge to real world experiences through local, state and national competitions, the press release states.
For more information about the Texas FFA, visit www.mytexasffa.org.
PJC sees 450 spring semester graduates
evening’s commencement ceremony held at Noyes Stadium on the Paris campus.
Seats on the west side of Noyes Stadium were packed as Paris Junior College held its 94th spring graduation ceremony Friday evening, May 17. PJC had 450 students graduating with a certificate or associate degree.
The ceremony opened with an invocation from Student Government Association president Burkhart. “The Ending of the Beginning” was performed by PJC music student Sydnee Hawkins.
The graduate students ranged in age from 17 to 63 years and were made up of 42 percent male and 58 percent female. They represented 38 different Texas counties, nine different states, and the foreign countries of Zimbabwe and Japan.
“In this year’s graduating class, we have 42 students receiving their associate degree who will graduate from high school in the next two weeks,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “Of these, 27 are from Quinlan Ford High School, five are from Miller Grove High School, five from Cumby High School, two are home schooled and one each from Chisum, North Hopkins and Roxton high schools.”
The students took college courses while attending high school and received high school and college credit for the coursework. The high graduate numbers from Quinlan Ford H.S. stem from a partnership that started in 2009. The school district pays tuition, fees and books for their students and buses them to the PJC-Greenville Center early on weekdays, returning them later to the high school.
The Distinguished Service Award, PJC’s highest student honor, was announced by Vice President for Student Access and Success Sheila Reece. This award has been presented annually to a PJC graduate since 1935 and recognizes academic achievement and service to PJC and the community and is given to an outstanding graduating student.
This year the Distinguished Service Award winner was John Altman, who is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, honored on the President’s List and Dean’s List, involved in Student Government and a Student Government officer. He participated in many projects including Habitat for Humanity’s A Brush With Kindness, was a Salvation Army bell ringer, and helped spruce up PJC flower beds. He has also volunteered at the Boys & Girls Club, The Wesley Center, Christ Community Church, Justiss Elementary, Aikin Elementary and Givens Early Childhood Center.
Other nominees included Giselle Benitez of Paris, Maddie Ellsworth of Clarksville, Jayla Oldfield of Detroit and Breanne Smallwood of Mount Pleasant.
Dr. Anglin then presented a special President’s Leadership Award to Cyan Burkhart. She represented PJC at Community College Day at the Texas Capitol this legislative session and as a cheerleader, performed in the PJC Choir, led regional Student Government meetings with poise and confidence, and served as Student Government president.
This year 14 graduates earned highest honors with a 4.0 grade point average through all their coursework towards their degree, and 30 earned high honors with a 3.9 to 3.99 GPA overall.
In closing, Dr. Anglin commented that community colleges enroll 72 percent of all freshman in the State of Texas and 78 percent of all students graduating with Bachelor degrees have community college hours on their transcript. She encouraged the graduates with a parting quote from Dr. Seuss and a traditional Irish prayer.
Head Coach Greg Owens and Coordinators Comment on Friday’s Spring Game
The annual Blue White Spring Game took place Friday (May 17) at Prim Stadium wrapping up spring football practice. The Blue won, 41-7. Coach Greg Owens said there were no injuries. He said he saw some good things and guys making some good plays. Coach Owens complimented both the Blue team defensive front and Blue team offensive line. The quarterbacks rotated between both teams and Coach Owens said he saw good and bad. He said the kickers put the ball where they were asked to. He said players got used to getting on and off the field in game like situations. So who else impressed Coach Owens? Off the top of his head he mentioned defensive linemen D’Andre Peoples and Jaguan Jones, who gave the offensive line fits according to Coach Owens. Also quarterbacks Noe Ponce and Kaden Wallace. He also liked the JV running backs Trenton Johnson and Sam Wilks and safety Bull Turner. Offensive Coordinator Matt Young called it a good night where athletes got to play and have a good time. He said he saw lots of smiles after the game. He mentioned Noe Ponce at quarterback and said it was a good learning experience for all three quarterbacks, Ponce, Kaden Wallace and Ty Stroud. Coach Young also singled out receivers Kylan Wade, Aidan Walker, Bryson Lacy, Landry Meskimen and Bryant Sanchez. He liked the way the offensive line calmed down. Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra liked how his defense played fast. He said the #1 defense did a good job. He said the #2’s and JV players had good answers for some of his questions. He praised the defense of Kylan Wade and Aiden Walker. Coach Guerra also praised the play of defensive lineman D’Andre Peoples. JaQuan Jones and Jesus Godina.
Amazon Truck Trailer Fire Reduces I-30 West To 1 Lane For Nearly 6 Hours Sunday
Traffic on Interstate 30 west was reduced to one lane for nearly 6 hours Sunday morning, while emergency officials worked to extinguish a blaze which destroyed a truck and Amazon trailer packed with general merchandise. The two men team driving the truck-trailer unit were unharmed; no injuries requiring hospitalization were reported among emergency responders.
While Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County firefighters were responding a report of a fire alarm that’d sounded at a Gilmer Street business at 5:41 a.m. Sunday, a truck-tractor fire was reported on Interstate 30 west near the 122 exit. All three units responded.
The truck drivers reportedly told officials they saw smoke and, were able to stop the truck on the shoulder. When they got out, flames were coming from the front end engine area of the truck, according to fire reports.
Firefighters reported the entire truck-tractor part of the truck-trailer unit to be fully engulfed in flames, with flames blowing back on to the Amazon trailer loaded with general merchandise upon their arrival, Sulphur Springs Fire Investigator Aaron Kager reported.
The heat from the flames were so hot the merchandise in the trailer caught fire, burning to the center of the trailer, which was reportedly stacked too high. The merchandise was in plastic totes on pallets stacked high and tight from top to bottom, front to back.
Sulphur Springs police and other emergency responders also responded to provide traffic control. Both lanes of Westbound I-30 were closed to traffic, with only the shoulder of the inside lane left open to allow traffic to flow in one lane until about 11:37 a.m. Sunday.
At one point, traffic was reportedly backed up and slow moving for several miles on I-30 west through Sulphur Springs Sunday. West Industrial Drive was reportedly shut down from Gossett Lane to State Highway 19 to allow firefighters to stretch a supply line from a hydrant near SH 19 across the road.
However, a truck driver parked on Gossett Lane did leave the area while the road was shut down, running over the hose. Firefighters were fortunate in that no damage resulted from the hose being run over, however, doing so could slow water supplies, damage hosing as well as the pump and other mechanisms on the fire truck the hose is attached to, according to fire investigators. Thus, firefighters ask people please not drive over fire hoses.
Sulphur Springs firefighters called in another shift of firefighters to provide manpower. Cumby and Brinker firefighters too were dispatched to provide manpower as the firefight lengthened.
Due to how packed the trailer was with merchandise, firefighters were initially limited in their access to the affected area and ability to locate just how far the fire had spread. They entered from two places in the roof and eventually the side, according to the fire investigator.
Firefighters had to offload part of the merchandise load by hand to get to the center of the truck, where the heat had spread. Benson Brothers Wrecker Service brought a couple of units to the location to assist in offloading the product. Texas Department of Transportation also bought a front end loader to the site and aided police with traffic control, according to Kager.
Hopkins County EMS was also on standby at the location as a precaution, due to the potential danger for firefighters working on, in and around the trailer in the heat for such an extended period of time.
