Man Jailed After Allegedly Breaking Into A CR 1165 Home
A 21-year-old Wills Point man was reportedly caught inside a County Road 1165 home he’d allegedly broken into Monday morning.
Chase Mitchell Hopper was arrested at 8:35 a.m. April 22 by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Turrentine for burglary of a habitation, according to arrest reports.
Deputy Turrentine and Sgt. Michael Russell were dispatched at 8 a.m. Monday to conduct a welfare check on a resident, who’d asked a child to call 911, according to sheriff’s reports. Arrest reports indicate they were told a person was breaking into the home, according to arrest reports
Upon arrival at the location, deputies contacted the homeowner, who said the person who had broken into the residence was in the master bedroom area. Deputies entered the master bedroom, where they reported finding the man in the bathroom, according to arrest reports.
The man reportedly walked out of the master bathroom with two large butcher knives in his right hand. He was disarmed, handcuffed and placed into Turrentine’s patrol vehicle, the deputy alleged in arrest reports.
The man, identified in arrest reports as Chase Mitchell Hopper, had a cut on one hand, which he allegedly sustained breaking into the residence. He was treated at the scene by EMS and later transported to jail, where he was charged with burglary of a habitation, Turrentine wrote in arrest reports.
Hopper remained in Hopkins County jail late Tuesday morning, April 22. Bond was set at $100,000 on the burglary of a habitation charge, according to jail reports.
Making The Cut As A Texas Superstar
By Dr. Mario Villarino
Texas Superstar Sale: April 26, 3-6 p.m., Hopkins County Extension Office
It isn’t easy to become a Texas Superstar® plant. Only the toughest, most reliable and best-looking plants make the cut. Every plant earning the Texas Superstar® designation undergoes several years of extensive field trials by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, both part of the Texas A&M System. They must show superior performance under Texas’ tough growing conditions. During the field trials, plants receive minimal soil preparation, reasonable levels of water and no pesticides.
One of the keys to the success of the Texas Superstar® program is the quality and reliability of the plant material that is highlighted in educational and marketing campaigns. Every effort is made to ensure that highlighted plants will perform well for Texas consumers. Wherever appropriate, limitations to highlighted plants are mentioned during marketing campaigns. Additionally, cultural information is provided to give the consumer guidance regarding proper plant care.
The decision as to which plants are highlighted in Texas Superstar® marketing campaigns is made by the Texas Superstar® Executive Board (Tim Davis, Mike Arnold and Dan Lineberger, College Station; Cynthia McKenney, Lubbock; Brent Pemberton, Overton; Larry Stein, Uvalde; and David Rodriguez, San Antonio). The board typically plans marketing campaigns at least two to three years in advance. Advisory input is received from the representatives, county horticulturists, arboretum and botanical garden representatives, horticultural writers, and landscape designers.
The Executive Board’s decision as to which plants should be highlighted is primarily based upon observations made at replicated plots and demonstration trials across the state. In some cases, recommendations made by university horticulturists in other southern states are also considered. Because ornamental plant performance can be rather subjective, the board gathers as much input as possible from competent horticulturists who understand the importance of both landscape performance and marketability. Another important factor considered when selecting plants for educational and marketing campaigns is whether sufficient numbers of plants can be produced to meet the increased consumer demand generated by Texas Superstar® efforts.
As an effort to have Texas Superstar Plants available in Sulphur Springs, The Hopkins County Extension Office and The Hopkins County Master Gardeners are holding a Texas Super Star Plant Sale April 26, 3 to 6 p.m., rain or shine, at the Hopkins County Extension Office, located at 1200B Houston St., in Sulphur Springs.
15 Tips for a Picky Eater By Johanna Hicks
fax: 903-439-4909; [email protected]
Picky eaters can be challenging, but there are many tips to help children consume the nutrients they need. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides the following suggestions:
- Offer a nibble tray: Use an ice cube tray or muffin tin and put bite-sized portions of colorful and nutritious foods in each section. Call these finger foods playful names that a two-year-old can appreciate, such as apple moons (thinly sliced apples), banana wheels, broccoli trees (steamed broccoli florets), cheese blocks, egg canoes (hard-boiled egg wedges), little O’s (oat ring cereal). Place the food on an easy to reach table. As your toddler plays, he can stop, sit down, nibble a bit and continue on his way. These foods have a table life of an hour or two.
- Dip it: Young children enjoying dipping foods, which can be pure fun (and delightfully messy). Possible dips are cottage cheese, cream cheese, peanut butter (thinly spread), guacamole, pureed fruits, or yogurt.
- Top it: Putting nutritious favorites on top of new and less desirable foods is a way to broaden a finicky toddler’s menu. Favorite topping are yogurt, melted cheese, tomato sauce, applesauce, peanut butter, or grated cheese.
- Drink it: If your toddler would rather drink that eat, don’t despair! Make a smoothie together. Milk and fruit, along with supplements such as juice, wheat germ, yogurt, honey and peanut butter can be the basis for a very healthy meal.
- Package it: Appearance is important. Use your child’s own toy plates for dishing out a snack. Or, use anything from plastic measuring cups to ice cream cones.
- Become a veggie vendor: Vegetables require some creative marketing. Although kids should be offered 3 to 5 servings a day, for children under five, each serving need be only a tablespoon for each year of age. Try the following tricks: plant a garden with your child. Let them help plant, harvest, and wash the produce. Slip grated vegetables into favorite foods – add them to rice, cottage cheese, or even macaroni and cheese. Use a small cookie cutter to cut vegetables into interesting shapes. Make veggie art by creating colorful faces with olive slice eyes, tomato ears, mushroom noses, bell pepper mustaches and other playful features.
- Share it: if your child is going through a picky-eater stage, invite a child’s friend who is about the same age, and serve them together. Group feeding lets the other kids set the example.
- Respect tiny tummies: Keep food servings small. A young child’s stomach is approximately the size of his fist. Dole out small portions at first and refill the plate when your child asks for more. This “less is more” meal plan is not only more successful with picky eaters, it also has the added benefit of stabilizing blood sugar levels, which in turn minimizes mood swings.
- Use “the bite” rule: “Take one bite, two bites…” (however far you can push it without force-feeding.) The “bite” rule gets your child to taste a new food while giving them some control over the feeding.
- Make it accessible: Give your toddler shelf space. Reserve a low shelf in the refrigerator for a variety of your toddler’s favorite nutritious foods and drinks. Whenever they want a snack, open the door and let them choose one.
- Use sit-still strategies: One reason toddlers don’t like to sit still at the family table is that their fee dangle. Children are likely to sit and eat longer at a child-sized table where their feet touch the ground.
- Let them cook: Children are more likely to eat their own creations, so when appropriate, let them help prepare the food. Use cookie cutters to creative edible designs from cheese, bread, thin meat slices, or cooked lasagna noodles. Let them wash and tear lettuce, stir batter, or scrub potatoes. Put pancake batter in a squeeze bottle and let your child supervise as you squeeze the batter onto a hot griddle in fun shapes such as hearts, numbers, and letters.
- County in inconsistencies: Don’t be surprised if your child eats a heaping plateful of food one day and practically nothing the next; adores broccoli on Tuesday and refuses it on Thursday. Remember that the only thin consistent about toddler feeding is inconsistency. Simply go with these mood swings and don’t take them personally.
- Relax: Sometime between their second and third birthday, you can expect your child to become set in their ideas on just about everything – including how food is prepared. If the broccoli must be at the top of the plate and the cheese in a bowl, but you put the cheese on the plate and broccoli in a bowl, be prepared for a protest. Better to learn to serve the food the child’s way. Don’t interpret this as being stubborn – it is a passing stage.
- If at first you don’t success, try , try again. Be patient. You may need to offer a new food 10 or more times before your child will accept it.
Upcoming Events
- May 6, 9, 13 and 16: “Be Well, Live Well: Healthy Aging”, 10:00 a.m., Hopkins County Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs. This is a free program series, but please call 903-885-3443 to reserve a seat so I can make adequate plans.
- Saturday, May 18: Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Extension Office. Lunch and refreshments provided. Engaged couples will receive a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. Topics include: marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, goal-setting. There is no charge, but couples must call to reserve seats – 903-885-3443.
Closing Thought
“Be bold in your caring, be bold in your dreaming and above all else, always do your best.” – former President George H. W. Bush
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Quick Hawaiian Pork
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds lean pork roast (cut in 1-inch cubes)
- 14-oz can pineapple chunks in juice
- ¼ cup vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ginger
Directions:
- In large skillet, combine meat, pineapple with juice, vinegar, and ginger.
- Cover and simmer one hour.
- 3. Serve over rice. Makes 6 servings.
Nutrition information (per serving): 221 calories, 34 g protein, 6 g total fat, 6 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber
Source: The Diabetic Four Ingredient Cookbook
22 Personnel Changes Approved For SSISD During Monday Meeting
Close to two dozen personnel matter were approved by Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees during a special meeting called Monday specifically to speed the spring/summer hiring and assignments process along in readiness for the next school year. Overall, the school board members approved recommendations for nearly a dozen new hires and seven position or campus swaps, as well as three resignation.
Resigning was Lamar Primary officer Nicholas Floyd, in order to join Sulphur Springs Police Department. Also turning in notices of pending resignation were Sulphur Springs Middle School special education aide Brandy Fisher and English teacher Teri Tripplett, and Sulphur Springs High School journalism teacher Brandon Nelson.
Six campuses will be getting new staff members and seven others will be switching jobs or campuses, and in some cases both, according to the lists approved by the school board during the noon board meeting.
New to SSMS will be Kimberly Chisom as a special education aid and Jerry Burton as a seventh grade history teacher. Jennifer Morales, middle school receptionist will be taking on a position as a special education aide as well. Tyler Lindsey will be moving from SSHS, where he teaches math to SSMS to teach eighth grade math. Kacie Thompson, however, will be swapping campuses, going from middle school to high school, but will continue to serve as a special education aide.
New to high school will be Kristov Garcia as a math teacher and coach, Salvador Mejia as a Spanish teacher and coach and Lindsey Arthur as an agriculture science teacher.
Two new people were approved for hire at Bowie Primary, with two staff members moving to a different campus, and one switching jobs on campus. Cheryl Blount will transition from Bowie counselor to prekindergarten teacher at Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center; Blount previously was previously an ECLC teacher. Sarafina Clayton will move from Bowie Primary, where she’s a third grade English language arts and reading teacher, to Travis Primary to take a role in third grade literacy support. Esmeralda Aguilar will remain at Bowie, but will transition from Title I aide to library side. New to Bowie will be Michelle Erdle as an ELAR teacher and Cassandra Ibanez as a Title I aide.
Travis will be getting two new teachers and another will be swapping campuses first grade teacher Tiffani Lopez will be moving to Barbara Bush Primary to teach kindergarten math and science classes. Olga Tellez is to join the staff of Travis as a first grade dual language enrichment math and science teacher and Amber Cook is to become a new third grade ELAR teacher at Travis Primary.
Additional new personnel approved for hire Monday included Melissa Spencer as a Head Start 4 teacher at Douglass ECLC and Brenna Balog as a first grade ELAR/SS teacher at Barbara Bush Primary.
SSHS Dairy Team Advances To State Contest
Sulphur Springs High School agriculture teams have done well at area judging competitions, with one team advancing from the bi-area judging contest to state, and several individuals placing high among competitors in their events.
Of the three judging teams competing at the Bi-Area judging contest hosted last week by Texas A&M University Commerce, the dairy cattle team consisted of Elida Miller, Noah Hemby, Maurie Flecker, and Jace Mayers placed third overall. That advances the team to the State Contest at Tarleton State University on Thursday, April 25.
“In addition, Elida received third high individual, Noah placed 10th, Maurie 19th, and Jace 32nd out of 103 contestants!” said ag teacher John Holland.
Also competing at the TAMUC contest last week was the livestock judging team that consisted of Savannah Allen, Annie Horton, Breanna Sells, and Hayden Daniel. Savannah Allen placed second overall out of 206 contestants!” Holland reported.
The veterinary techician team consisting of Haylie Barrett, Callie Harvey, Aliyah Abron, and Trevon Washington also competed at the bi-area contest last week. Haylie Barrett was in the top 25 percent for overall individual contestant, according to Holland.
A team of Griffin Crawford, Cash Vititow, Beau Bankston, and Quinton Mitchell alos participated April 2 in the forage contest held at North Texas Community College.
Commissioners Court Approves Disaster Relief grant services provider, Communications Funding
Hopkins County Commissioners approved disposal of property for three of the four county precincts, requests from an electric company to put distribution facilities across two county roads, removal of a beaver dam in Saltillo, a contract with TCEQ, lease agreements for printer/copier/scanner units for three sties at Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center and two resolutions.
Approval was given for Farmers Electric Company Inc. to construct electrical power distribution facilities, which will cross County Road 2333 and County Road 3520.
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley asked the court to consider a contract with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality through the local Planning Committee. Endsley explained a few years ago, the county received a grant through this program to obtain portable radios.
“What we’ll do with this, is we’ll finish our programming sequence with all of our four repeater towers where we can go fully digital on our fire department side. This will help to complete this process, a much needed $5,000,” Endlsey said.
The grant would require no county match either in funds, labor or property, Endsley added. The court approved the contract.
Commissioners approved lease agreements with Advantage Copy Systems for copier/printer/scanner units for the jail, dispatch and arraignment room at HCLEC. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tanner Crump said the ink and toner are included in the lease agreement, which when coupled with the advantage of owning the units, is a saving to the county.
Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Pogue Mitchell received approval to begin the hiring process of finding a replacement an employee in the motor vehicle division who will be stepping up to replace the department’s “top hand” in property tax and voter registration, who is retiring on July 31. Beginning the hiring process now should provide ample time to not only hire, but train individuals working with current staff to do those jobs. Mitchell said her department does have the funding required to have an extra employee during that time of transition.
Precinct 4 will be selling at auction a 2000 half-ton Chevrolet pickup, a 1997 backhoe, a Catterpillar with a back-blade and a few other items, most of which were not operational until recently, when precinct workers got all except two working. Most have not been operational for 7-8 years. The current precinct workers got all except two working. They’re to be sold at auction
Precinct 1 will be auctioning a pickup bed. A 1994 Ford dump truck from Precinct 3 will be sent to auction as well.
The piano that’d been in the basement of the courthouse has yet to be sold. It is tentatively scheduled for auction on May 2 in Commerce. The auction scheduled at the facility had to be postponed due to the rainy weather. The parking area is not paved, and thus can become too muddy during rainy weather, Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley.
Commissioners passed resolution designating GrantsWork as management service provider to draft and or a Community Development Block Grant for disaster relief.
The court also designated May 2 as National Day of Prayer in Hopkins County. A gathering for prayer for the county will be held on the downtown square at 5 p.m. that day, Newsom said.
Precinct 3 staff removed a beaver dam on private property on County Road 3357 in Saltillo, which was backing up onto the right-of-way causing issues on the road.
Hopkins County Extension Agents johanna Hicks, Mario Villarino and Jessica Taylor gave an update on programs that’d occurred in the last 3-4 months and a few upcoming projects.
Hopkins County Commissioners entered into a work session immediately following the regular court meeting. Tom Glosup was scheduled to give maintenance and construction update. The new Civic Center manager was to discuss events, repairs and improvements for the facility as well as revenues and expenditures. Additional topics to be discussed included environmental concerns, appointment of members to the Historical Commission, , courthouse security, employee safety equipment program, feral hog grant, modifications of economic development agreements and a budget work session.
Jay Hodge Chevrolet to Host Corvette Club
The Sulphur Springs Corvette Club is teaming up with Jay Hodge Chevrolet in Sulphur Springs for a Corvette show April 27th, 2019 from 10:00 am till 2:00 pm. The Dealership will furnish hot dogs, burgers and drinks.
The public is welcome to join in the fun.
There will be designated parking areas for display Corvettes. Club members should start arriving around 9:45 am.
All area Corvettes are welcome to attend.
Yantis ISD Board of Trustees Candidate Profiles
Yantis Independent School District has three candidates running for two full-term at-large seats on the school board.
Early voting by personal appearance in the election began at 7 a.m. and will continue until 7 p.m. April 22; resume from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, April 22-26 and April 30; from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 29, in the Early Voting Room inside Wood County Courthouse, 100 South Main St. in Quitman. Election Day voting will be conducted from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in Yantis Elementary School foyer.
To help voters learn a little more about the people seeking office, each school board candidate was asked to provide information about themselves and their candidacy, including their reasons for seeking a seat on the school board. Those responses are shared here, in no particular order, in two separate posts.
APRIL JOHNSON
Family: I am married to Cole, and we have 3 children. Nikolas is 13 and is in the eighth grade here at Yantis Middle School. Lucas, my step-son, is 18 and attends SSISD High School and is a senior. We also have a 2 year old little girl, Rudi Jo, which will be a future Owl.
How long have you lived in the district? I have lived in Yantis since 2005, and my husband is from Yantis.
Education, training, special skills: I graduated from TAMU-C in 2006 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. I have been on YISD school board for 2 years and currently hold the Secretary position
Occupation, job description: I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry since 1995, and have been a Certified/Registered Pharmacy Technician since 1999. I currently am a stay-at-home mom; as well as run our local business. Cole and I run/own/operate Johnsonville Mx Farm, a motocross track, here in Yantis. We have several races and practices throughout the year.
Why are you seeking this office? I’m seeking re-election for a seat on the school board for numerous reasons.
I, along with my fellow board members, want to continue to have a great environment that encourages learning and attracts the best teachers and administrators.
I care about the health, welfare and safety of the children and staff at YISD. I have had a child in YISD since he was in pre-k (10 years), as well as one that will be attending in the future.
Compliance is very important to me. I performed daily audits and assisted insurance companies in pharmacy audits for 30 pharmacy locations as well as keeping those pharmacies compliant with DEA, TXDPS, TSBP and all insurance companies for Medicine Chest for 10 years.
What do you think is most important for voters to know about your or your candidacy? I will continue to strive to make sure the taxes that are paid are being spent wisely and in the best interest of the students/district.
I am also involved with the Yantis Area Chamber of Commerce. I am the secretary/treasurer.
JENNIFER LARKIN
Occuation, job description: I am the Sales Support Coordinator at M&F Western Products in Sulphur Springs where I have worked for 7 years.
Family information/how long have your lived in Yantis ISD? I have lived in Yantis for 8 years with my son Brant, 12 and daughter Kennlee, 7. They both attend school at Yantis ISD.
Education, training, special skills: I am a member of Trinity Harvest Church in Sulphur Springs and my children also attend Wednesday Night Live at First Baptist in Yantis. I have served on our church infant and toddler ministry team for 5 years. I am an active member of my community. I am currently the president of Yantis Baseball Association and have served on the board for three years. My family and I also enjoying helping with the annual Hoops Dreams buddy basketball.
Why are you seeking this office? I am running for school board because I would like to be a voice for children’s education in our community.
What do you think is most important for voters to know about your or your candidacy? I am passionate about helping our children grow through a positive community based school district. I would also be a strong supporter in helping our teachers and administers in reaching and exceeding their educational goals. I look forward to hearing suggestions and ideas to help move our children forward and always build them up.
JEFF QUINN
Family information: wife Christie, high school science teacher at Yantis ISD; 2 boys, Creager 13, 7th grade and Jorie, 8, third grade
How long have you lived in the district? I have lived in the Yantis area going on 24 years.
Why are you seeking this office? I’ve been off of it for a year. My first term was for 3 years. I didn’t seek election again at that time in order to study for driver and was busy on TIFMAS. As a fireman I know how to work as a team. Now days, with the state trying to take funding from our smaller schools to give to bigger schools, we need to look out for the kids. My wife was raised and graduated YHS, so our connection goes way back. We have a hreat admin right now. The teachers, administrators –everybody’s awesome. I’m try again, because as a public servant, it’s my job to serve our community.
Education, training, special skills: I am a member of the Yantis VFD . I have a Bachelor in Agricultural Science. I am a firefighter, paramedic with wildland and other specialized training for TIFMAS .
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? To me, the important part is — being that I’ve been on the school board before — I know it’s a team effort. It takes a community to raise good kids. I’m here for the kids. My kids are at the school. I do all the fire prevention for Yantis VFD. I see how good these kids are. They just need the best opportunities.
