Heritage Park and Museum Opens ‘Winiford Place’, a New Multi-Purpose Building
On April 16, 2019 at noon, along with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, Winiford Place was presented a flag and a plaque from Jennie Ash, a staffer of Texas State Representative Dan Flynn’s office. According to the plaque, the Texas flag had “flown over the Capitol of the Sovereign State of Texas”, the perfect note for a park which celebrates our local history upon land near the heart of the City of Sulphur Springs. There was a good turnout of citizens for the ceremony.
During 2018/2019, Winiford Place was constructed largely through a generous private monetary donation. However, the facility was actually built by hand as a labor of love by members of the Hopkins County Historical Society, who are caretakers for the 11-acre historical park and museum located near downtown Sulphur Springs. Members with special skills contributed their talents; from drawings of the concept to contracting the construction to creating custom-made doors of reclaimed wood from other park projects, to adding Texas-themed custom stained glass inserts for the doors. Original artwork by various local artist which depict the park now adorn the walls. The atmosphere is bright and airy due to lots of windows placed high on the walls, and it also has a spacious feel, assisted by wide concrete walkways that extend usable space on two sides of the building. A full kitchen is large enough for a team of cooks to work in, and the restroom area includes space for a Bride’s Room, which will come in handy for wedding events held there. One of the first public events in the new building will be the Reilly Springs Jamboree, a historic Hopkins County country and gospel show coming to celebrate the new facility on Saturday evening June 15, 2019.
Heritage Park, at 468 North Jackson Street, will be hosting two other events this week. The Hopkins County Youth Art Show will be displayed inside the park on Friday April 19 and Saturday April 20, featuring works of art in all mediums created by youth and teens in the county schools. Also, the “John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Class” will begin at 8am on Saturday April 20 for persons who want to learn the primitive method of outdoor cooking. The class is $15 person (which includes lunch) and will be taught by Wilson. All foods, utensils and supplies are furnished.
According to Rick Wilson, President of the local Historical Society, “there are still some unmet needs at Winiford House, and donations are welcome from the community. Anyone who would like to help can call me at 903-335-2752, or talk to any member of the Historical Society. We are more than thrilled with the new addition and the expanded ways we can serve the community. We will look forward to seeing you at Heritage Park events in the weeks and months to come”.
Grand Jury Indictments For April 2019: Part 1
The Hopkins County Grand Jury signed 102 indictments during the April session, pushing those cases forward for prosecution. More than 70 individuals were named in the charges, including some individuals named in more than one indictment, according to the indictment list released recently.
The charges range from improper sexual activity with a person in custody, aggravated assault and child endangerment to firearms, theft, fraudulent use or possession of identifying information.
A large number indictments were also for controlled substance, marijuana and related offenses. (Watch for Grand Jury Indictments For April: Part 2 for those charges.)
Sinead Nicole Hagan, 27, was indicted on one charge of improper sexual activity with a person in custody. The charge stems from Hagan’s in early January following an allegation that she had a sexual encounter with an inmate while a corrections officer at Hopkins County jail. The Texas Ranger was contacted to launch an investigation. While reviewing video for the first allegation, sheriff’s officials allegedly discovered a second offense of improper sexual activity with a different inmate, the sheriff reported following Hagan’s arrests on Jan. 2 and Jan. 10.
Jessy Isaiah Garcia, 20, of Como was indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was arrested Jan. 13 for allegedly striking a 27-year-old Mineola man in the head multiple times with a baseball bat, when the man attempted to calm Garcia upon seeing him striking a woman’s car in a State Highway 154 south parking. Garcia then allegedly fled in a vehicle and was located a short time by a state trooper at a Hillcrest Drive gas station, where he was allegedly causing a disturbance, police and troopers alleged in reports following Garcia’s arrest on Jan. 13.
Tonee Nicole Jarrett, 25, of Springfield, Illinois was indicted for abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence and evading arrest or detention in a vehicle. She was arrested Feb. 12 on both charges. When asked as a passenger to step out of a car during an Interstate 30 traffic stop, she allegedly unbuckled a 4-year-old child from a seat belt and put the preschooler in the floor of the car, then moved to the driver’s seat and drove away. She was found later in another county and was taken into custody, officers alleged in reports following her arrest.
Jonathan O. Martinez, 19, was indicted for aggravated assault of a date, family or household member with a weapon. He was accused in police reports at the time of his arrest on March 2 of striking his fiancee’s vehicle which she was reportedly i.
Tammy R. McWilliams, 47, was indicted for assault on a peace officer or judge. She was accused of becoming very combative when police made attempts to check her welfare and that of her roommate at a Weaver Street residence, charging at and assaulting one officer, police alleged in reports following her arrest on Feb. 20.
Donna R. Mollenhour, 38, and Micheal Mollenhour, 44, were indicted for abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence. They were arrested Feb. 13 . The pair was investigated by SCU and CPS officials after an allegation was raised that a child had tested positive for methamphetamine. Both adults tested positive for meth, and their 10-month-old child was exposed to it as well, SCU officials alleged in arrest reports.
Also among the individuals indicted during the April grand jury session were:
- Eric Mitchell Rawson — abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence;
- Kenneth D. Mitchell — possession of child pornography;
- Joseph Albe Navarro — aggravated sexual assault of a child;
- Rowdy Dee Duvall — unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon;
- Andrea Nicole White — unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon
- Jarred Lynn Brow — theft of a material such as aluminum, bronze, copper or brass.
- Derrick Matthew Garcia — tampering with a government record to defraud or harm and giving or making a false statement for property or credit
- Stormy Alisa Garcia — tampering with a government record to defraud or harm
- Brittany L. McDonald — unauthorized use of a motor vehicle was
- Tony Lee McGilveary — fraudulent use or possession of identifying information
- Landon Dee Harness — injury to a child, elderly or disabled person.
Man Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison On DWI Charge
Two people were taken into custody after being sentenced to time in prison in the Eighth Judicial District Court Tuesday.
Brian James Chism, 47, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody in the district courtroom after being sentenced to a 15-year commitment in Texas Department of Criminal Justice on a felony driving while intoxicated charge.
Chism was jailed locally on Sept. 5 and released on bond Sept. 7 for third or more DWI offense, according to court and jail reports.
Dewayne Laverdo Hamilton, 40, of Dallas was taken into custody at 10:20 a.m. April 16 in the district courtroom, after being sentenced to a 12-year commitment in Texas Department of Criminal Justice for possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest and jail reports.
Hamilton was arrested on May 11, 2018, following a traffic stop on Interstate 30 in which Cumby police reported finding multiple containers of contraband, including and bags containing nearly 17 grams of a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine, police reported following Hamilton’s arrest.
Tira News for April 17, 2019
BY JAN VAUGHN
The Tira Volunteer Fire Department is having an Open House on Sunday, April 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. The station is on the west end of the Tira Community Center on FM 1536. Pam Martin reports, “Everyone is invited to come by and see our newest addition.” Light refreshments will be served. You are encouraged to come support the department and let the firefighters show you around.
Joyce Dodd shared that the next Bible study at the Tira Methodist Church is
coming up on Tuesday, April 23, at 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
North Hopkins Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) teacher, Lisa Sprague, would like to let everyone know that a 20th Anniversary Scholarship Foundation Dinner and Auction is planned for Saturday, April 27, beginning at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
She comments, “The meal will be prepared by the culinary department and Charlie Vaughn and Mr. Lowe [secondary principal] (the prime rib team) and high school students from BETA, FFA, FCCLA, Athletics and Business will be setting up, serving, and cleaning up at the event. Tickets are $25 each and proceeds go to helping NH students.” Chicken will, also, be an option for the main course. If you would like to purchase tickets, please call or text me at 903-438-6688 and I will put you in touch with Lisa Sprague or Danna Lewis.
Jan Vaugh, Yvonne Weir and Brenda Allen toured the Saints Cyril and Methodius Church from the Painted Churches in the Schulenburg area last Friday.
Yvonne Weir and I met Brenda Allen in Sulphur Springs on Thursday, April 11, and we took a scenic drive to Schulenburg.
On Friday, we went on a tour of the “Painted Churches” in that area. The four historic Catholic churches that we visited featured elaborately painted walls, ceilings and sculptures. Our tour guide for the day, Terri, was very knowledgeable and we had a wonderful time with her. She allowed us to tour her restored farm house and we enjoyed lunch together in downtown Schulenburg.
We saw lots of beautiful wildflowers along the roadsides. The bluebonnets and paintbrushes were especially pretty along the stretch from Waco to Corsicana on our way home on Saturday, and were a welcome distraction from the pouring rain that we encountered along the way.
We stopped by the Magnolia Marketplace in Waco and enjoyed the experience, but decided we might like to return on a less crowded weekday.
Nicole Klemptner reports, “My boys, Dalton and Dakota Klemptner, are doing a lawn service this spring and summer to earn money and would love to get some yards in Tira to mow.” It’s called DJK Lawn Service and my number 903-438-6098.” She added that people can, also, look them up on Facebook.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected] .
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack Talks About Wildcats Second Straight Win
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack said he has built the Wildcats program the past 14 years on pitching the defense and during the last two district games, both wins, that formula has returned.
Tuesday night, April 16, despite only getting one hit, the Wildcats used strong pitching and defense to eke out a 1-0 victory over Mount Pleasant at Wildcat Park.
KSST received some erroneous information concerning Tuesday night’s game. The Wildcats’ Game Changer site indicated two pitchers shared in the Tuesday night shutout. In reality, Will Sims went all seven innings for a complete game four hit shutout. The site also credited Jase Thompson with a ground ball that scored a run. In truth, Sims drove the lone run with a clutch double. Austin Dodd walked, stole second and was balked to third and then scored on Sim’s key hit.
For the second straight game, the Wildcats committed no errors. Coach Hammack said the Wildcats have worked hard on their defense. He senses that the Wildcats confidence level is rising and he says he believes that confidence level is where it needs to be right now.
The victory over Mount Pleasant was very significant in that it gives the Wildcats the tiebreaker over Mount Pleasant, should the two teams end up tied.
The Wildcats are 4-8 in district play. They are one game behind 5-7 Royse City but the Bulldogs have the tiebreaker advantage over the Wildcats.
The Wildcats are two games behind 6-6 Mount Pleasant. The two teams play again Thursday at Mount Pleasant and the Wildcats can reduce the deficit to just one game.
Royse City and Mount Pleasant play each other and Coach Hammack is trying to figure out who he should root for.
The Wildcats have their work cut out for them next week as they will face district leader Texas High, 10-2, at Texarkana next Tuesday and then at Wildcat Park on Senior Night on April 26.
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo Comments On Disappointing Senior Night Loss Tuesday
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo said the Lady Cats just did not play well in their 9-1 Senior Night loss to Mount Pleasant Tuesday night, April 16, at Lady Cat Park.
Both teams are now tied for first place with 7-2 records. If both teams win their final district game on Thursday, both teams will be co-champs. Mount Pleasant would be the district’s #1 playoff seed because of their two wins over the Lady Cats in district play.
Coach Carrillo said it was tough watching his seniors go out on Senior Night like that. He said a team is not going to win getting just two hits. He said Mount Pleasant just hit the ball better than the Lady Cats did. Coach Carrillo said the Mount Pleasant pitcher seems to have the Lady Cats’ number this season. The Lady Cats have collected only five hits and scored only two runs over 14 innings in their two losses to Mount Pleasant.
He said the Lady Cats need to move on and do it real quick because they have a key game Thursday at Texas High. If the Lady Cats lose Thursday, they would have to have a second and third playoff seed determining game on Monday against Texas High.
Xavier Cork Signs To Be a Catamount of Western Carolina on Signing Day
Wildcats 6-foot-9 senior post Xavier Cork signed a letter of intent Wednesday, April 17, to play college basketball for the Western Carolina Catamounts. Western Carolina is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
Cork, the son of the late Kevin Cork and Reshemah Wright, said the Catamounts scouted him at the Wildcats bi-district game against John Tyler. They told him they liked the way he played, crashing the boards, boxing out and running the court.
Cork said he visited Cullowhee and found it to be a pretty place with trees, flowers and the mountains of western North Carolina. Cork believes he will play some center and power forward for the Catamounts.
He said his years of going head to head with former Wildcats Victor Iwuakor and Godsgift Ezedinma helped him develop his skills. Cork told Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta last summer that he was serious about spending more time to improve his overall game.
To adapt for the next level, Cork said he needs to work on his jump shot and on handling the ball. Cork began to hit three point baskets as this year’s season progressed. He said he was proud the Wildcats went to the state tournament, calling it a very big deal.
Cork plans to study kinesiology and hopes one day to become a basketball coach.
Wildcat Keaston Willis Officially Signs Letter to Play Basketball at Incarnate Word
Wildcats senior guard Keaston Willis made it official on National Basketball Signing Day Wednesday, April 17. Willis, the son of Leanne Willis and Lonnie Gusters, signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at The University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.
Willis verbally committed to them several months ago. Willis said Incarnate Word first showed interest in him when he was in the eighth grade, but then it fell off until his senior year.
He said Incarnate Word’s football team won their conference and he said the Cardinal’s basketball team is very young. Willis said they are in need of a scorer and he said he can fill that role. He said they have indicated that they may use him some at shooting guard and some at point guard, just like Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta did this year.
Willis said he’ll have to adapt to the increased speed of the college game and he said he needs to work on being a play maker for others.
Willis missed eight district games this season due to a small fracture to an ankle. He said the injury has completely healed on its own without the need for surgery.
Willis said he plans to study kinesiology in college.
Woman Jailed For Allegedly Attempting To Get Medicine With Fake Prescription
Sulphur Springs Police arrested a 58-year-old Big Sandy woman who allegedly tried to obtain controlled substances using a fake prescription.
Cindy Lynn Dunn, who is reported to be employed as a Project Restore organization counselor, was arrested Tuesday for fraudulent use or possession of a Schedule III prescription, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Josh Shufeldt was dispatched at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, at a South Broadway Street pharmacy to the pharmacy to a complaint of a person trying to pick up a fake prescription.
Shufeldt reported contacting the pharmacist and was told the woman had dropped off two prescriptions for a controlled substance that had been photocopied. The pharmacist reported he had contacted the doctor and was told it was not a valid prescription. In fact, the alleged prescriptions didn’t belong to the woman either, the officer noted in arrest reports. Consequently, Dunn was arrested on the charge. She was released from the county jail Wednesday. Her bond was set at $10,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
