Commissioners Court To Consider Personnel, Other Matters At Monday Meetings
Hopkins County Commissioners have a full day head of them on Monday, with an equipment purchase, official announcement of springs clean up days and an executive session in which they are expected to discuss the top candidates for Hopkins County Civic Center manager slated for the regular court meeting.
After the executive session, the court will resume to take action on any items pushed forward for a decision, including potentially announcing their choice for Civic Center manager.
Below is the agenda for Monday’s regular court meeting:
After the regular session, the court then will go into a work session. Among the topics the court are slated to discuss are solar power, and available services with Whitlock Air Service. Building maintenance and construction updates are to be provided by Tom Glosup, Sheriff Lewis Tatum and Fire Chief Andy Endsley are scheduled to give an update from their departments. A budget work session is to follow.
Wood County Sheriff’s Report March 27-April 2
March 27
- Deputies conducted a traffic stop on FM 2869 near Hawkins; at approximately 12:04 a.m. Clinton Yale, 30, of Hawkins, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Prohibited Substance in a Correctional Facility and outstanding warrants.
- Deputies conducted a traffic stop on State Highway 154 near Quitman; at approximately 12:20 a.m. Lauren Torres, 28, of Quitman, was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated.
- At 7:47 a.m., cows were reported out on County Road 4800 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 4918 near Quitman, at approximately 9:33 a.m., in reference to theft. Actors, or actors unknown, stole gasoline from the reporting party’s vehicle. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on FM 2869 near Hawkins; at approximately 11:56 a.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 2869 near Hawkins, at approximately 12:42 p.m., in reference to criminal mischief. Actors, or actors unknown, damaged the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 1:04 p.m., in reference to a scam that occurred on County Road 2770 near Mineola. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 778 near Hawkins, at approximately 1:36 p.m., in reference to an abandoned vehicle. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 80 near Hawkins, at approximately 2:25 p.m., in reference to a theft. Actors, or actors unknown, stole the reporting party’s Apple watch. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 2425 near Mineola, at approximately 3:11 p.m., in reference to a scam. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 3940 near Hawkins, at approximately 4:31 p.m., in reference to shots fired. The reporting party had a stray bullet in the residence and a bullet hole in the wall. This case is active.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on County Road 1880 near Yantis; at approximately 8:32 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 8:56 p.m., in reference to theft that occurred on FM 49 near Quitman. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on County Road 3880 near Mineola; at approximately 9:40 p.m. Deputies made contact with the individual and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to Comanche near Quitman, at approximately 11:50 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any suspicious activity.
March 28
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 1688 near Alba, at approximately 2:19 a.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and provided a courtesy transport.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 1643 near Winnsboro, at approximately 10:51 a.m., in reference to Criminal Trespass. Deputies issued a Criminal Trespass Warning and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 1210 near Quitman, at approximately 11:46 a.m., in reference to criminal mischief. Deputies advised the reporting party that extra patrol would be provided.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 3147 near Quitman, at approximately 3:56 p.m., in reference to an assault that occurred. This case is active.
- At 4:42 p.m., cows were reported out on State Highway 154 near Quitman.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 288 near Quitman, at approximately 7:56 p.m., in reference to an inquest. A male, 56, was found deceased in his residence. The Justice of the Peace arrived and no autopsy was ordered.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on County Road 1442 near Quitman; at approximately 9:10 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on State Highway 154 near Quitman; at approximately 10:12 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to Lloyd St. in Yantis, at approximately 10:40 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Micah Marshall, 45, of Alba, was arrested for Public Intoxication and an outstanding warrant.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 2223 near Mineola, at approximately 10:56 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Deputies spoke with all parties involved and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 80 near Hawkins, at approximately 11:49 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Parties were separated for the night.
March 29
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 4681 near Winnsboro, at approximately 7:11 a.m., in reference to a fire. Deputies spoke with all parties involved and cleared the incident. This case has been forwarded to other agency.
- At 10:35 a.m., cows were reported out on County Road 1807 near Yantis.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 154 near Yantis, at approximately 3:32 p.m., in reference to theft. A known actor stole electricity from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 3250 near Quitman, at approximately 4:07 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 1941 near Alba, at approximately 5:17 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies advised the reporting party that extra patrol would be provided.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Highway 69 near Mineola at approximately 7:40 p.m. Michele Thiem, 47, of Lindale was arrested for outstanding warrants.
- Deputies were dispatched to Holly Lake Ranch, at approximately 8:44 p.m., in reference to criminal mischief. A known actor damaged the gate to Holly Lake Ranch. This case is active.
- At 10:02 p.m., cows were reported out on County Road 4420 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 1600 near Alba, at approximately 10:24 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on County Road 2121 near Quitman; at approximately 11:25 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 154 near Yantis, at approximately 11:30 p.m., in reference to a reckless driver. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
March 30
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 1961 near Yantis, at approximately 12:59 a.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any suspicious activity.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 1254 near Mineola, at approximately 1:30 a.m., in reference to a dispute. Deputies spoke with all parties involved and cleared the incident.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 1254 near Mineola; at approximately 2:05 a.m. Deputies located the vehicle and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 80 near Mineola, at approximately 2:11 a.m., in reference to a fire. Mineola Fire Department extinguished the fire and the scene was cleared.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 2088 near Quitman, at approximately 3:17 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 4965 near Quitman, at approximately 4:01 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- At 8:56 a.m., cows were reported out on Highway 37 near Mineola.
- At 10:03 a.m., cows were reported out on FM 312 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 154 near Yantis, at approximately 11:27 a.m., in reference to theft. A known actor stole money from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 80 near Hawkins, at approximately 12:07 p.m., in reference to a reckless driver. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 37 near Quitman, at approximately 1:16 p.m., in reference to a fire. Quitman Fire Department extinguished the fire and the scene was cleared.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on Main Street in Winnsboro at approximately 2:20 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on FM 312 near Winnsboro; at approximately 2:43 p.m. Kenny Hass, 50, of Winnsboro, was arrested for outstanding warrants.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 4116 near Quitman, at approximately 3:03 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies located an open door, but there were no signs of burglary.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 2620 near Mineola, at approximately 3:33 p.m., in reference to criminal trespass. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 1858 near Yantis, at approximately 3:57 p.m., in reference to a noise complaint. Deputies advised the individuals to lower the volume and cleared the incident.
- At 5:08 p.m., cows were reported out on Highway 154 near Yantis.
- At 5:11 p.m., cows were reported out on Highway 69 near Alba.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 2869 near Winnsboro, at approximately 5:42 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- At 6:02 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 564 near Mineola.
- At 6:09 p.m., cows were reported out on County Road 4460 near Leesburg.
- At 6:20 p.m., cows were reported out on County Road 4328 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 154 near Yantis, at approximately 6:38 p.m., in reference to a reckless driver. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 11 near Winnsboro, at approximately 8:12 p.m., in reference to an assault that occurred. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 1858 near Yantis, at approximately 8:19 p.m., in reference to a noise complaint. Deputies made contact with the actor and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to Lake Holbrook point, at approximately 8:26 p.m., in reference to an abandoned vehicle. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on County Road 3482 near Hawkins; at approximately 8:56 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 3540 near Hawkins, at approximately 9:41 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Stacy Davlin, 46, of Hawkins, was arrested for Criminal Trespass.
- At 10:25 p.m., cows were reported out on County Road 1447 near Quitman.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 1354 near Quitman, at approximately 10:37 p.m., in reference to shots fired. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any activity.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on County Road 2332 near Mineola; at approximately 11:16 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on County Road 2754 near Mineola; at approximately 11:41 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
March 31
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 12:14 a.m., in reference to terroristic threat on FM 312 near Winnsboro. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 37 near Quitman, at approximately 12:50 a.m., in reference to an abandoned vehicle. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to Dewitt St. in Alba, at approximately 8:24 a.m., in reference to an inquest. The Justice of the Peace arrived and ordered an autopsy.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 10:12 a.m., in reference to terroristic threat on Whitefoot near Quitman. Deputies gave the reporting party advice an cleared the incident.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Stone Street in Mineola; at approximately 10:49 a.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to County Road 2830 near Mineola at approximately 10:54 a.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
- At 4:05 p.m., cows were reported out on County Road 2375 near Alba.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 2263 near Mineola, at approximately 10:19 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individuals.
April 1
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on Highway 14 near Quitman; at approximately 1:42 a.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on County Road 3540 near Hawkins; at approximately 1:52 a.m. Tommy Davlin, 45, of Hawkins, was arrested for Silent Abusive Call/Electronic Communication to 911 Service.
- At 9:26 a.m., cows were reported out on County Road 2270 near Mineola.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 4778 near Winnsboro, at approximately 9:42 a.m., in reference to theft. Actors, or actors unknown, stole the reporting party’s bumper pull trailer. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 10:29 a.m., in reference to a possible assault. This case is active.
- At 10:58 a.m., cows were reported out on HWY 154 near Yantis.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 2360 near Mineola, at approximately 11:42 a.m., in reference to burglary. A known actor stole a firearm from the reporting party’s residence. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- At 12:04 p.m., cows were reported out on County Road 4760 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 12:07 p.m., in reference to terroristic threat on County Road 1236 near Quitman. This case is active.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 4651 near Winnsboro, at approximately 12:16 p.m., in reference to identity theft. Actors, or actors unknown, used the reporting party’s identification. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
- At 2:39 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 515 near Yantis.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 2659 near Hawkins, at approximately 3:23 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
- Deputies were dispatched to Highway 154 near Yantis, at approximately 4:16 p.m., in reference to burglary. Actors, or actors unknown, stole a firearm from the reporting party’s vehicle. This case is active.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 515 near Yantis; at approximately 6:41 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to State Highway 154 near Yantis, at approximately 7:57 p.m., in reference to a dispute. Deputies located the individuals and cleared the incident.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on Bonita Drive near Quitman; at approximately 8:34 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
April 2
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 2869 near Hawkins, at approximately 11:12 a.m., in reference to an abandoned vehicle. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
- At 1:52 p.m., cows were reported out on County Road 1370 near Quitman.
- Deputies were dispatched to FM 49 near Hawkins, at approximately 2:08 p.m., in reference to an abandoned vehicle. Deputies located the vehicle and it was towed by Joe’s Wrecker Service.
- Deputies were dispatched to Private Road 6113 near Quitman, at approximately 4:12 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
- At 4:19 p.m., cows were reported out on FM 1254 near Mineola.
- At 6:31 p.m., cows were reported out on County Road 4760 near Winnsboro.
- Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 6:58 p.m., in reference to criminal trespass on FM 312 near Winnsboro. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 778 near Mineola; at approximately 7:16 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
- Deputies were dispatched to County Road 1677 near Alba, at approximately 7:53 p.m., in reference to a reckless driver. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
- Deputies responded to a suspicious person on Highway 37 near Mineola; at approximately 10:01 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
- Between the dates of March 27 and April 2, Wood County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to multiple agency assists that included the following: Mineola Police Department, Quitman Police Department and Hawkins Police Department.
- Between the dates of March 27 and April 2, Wood County Sheriff’s Investigators recovered $27,000 worth of stolen property.
Total Jail Count – 110 inmates: 87 males and 23 females.
Reminders from Sheriff Thomas Castloo
- If you have any information on these or any other crimes, please contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at 903-763-2201 or Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH.
- Contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office if you notice any suspicious vehicles or activity around your neighborhood.
- Please be aware of your surroundings.
Huge Wins Continue For North Hopkins Baseball
North Hopkins Baseball Overwhelms Miller Grove, 17-1 at Home
The North Hopkins Panthers scored 4 first inning runs, blew open the game with a 9 run second inning and added 4 more third inning runs for good measure in a 17-1 victory over Miller Grove at North Hopkins Friday (April 5). The Panthers had 10 hits and they were led by Wyatt Wharton who was 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and 5 RBIs. Wharton had a single and a double in the big second inning and another double in the third. Colby Cameron was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored, 2 doubles and 3 RBIs. Victor Rojo was 1 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Brycen Gillespie was 1 for 2 with 2 runs scored and an RBI. Geoffrey Stewart was 1 for 2 with a run scored and an RBI. Jessie Rivera was 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Caleb Wyatt scored 3 runs Sean Hill was 1 for 1. Geoffrey Stewart got the pitching win going 4 innings allowing only 1 run and 4 hits with 6 strikeouts. Lexton Sly took the pitching loss for Miller Grove. Sly was 2-2. Jagger Qualis and Jacob George also had hits for Miller Grove. Miller Grove scored their lone run in the top of the fourth inning. Qualis scored for Miller Grove.
Another Tough Night For Wildcat Baseball
Lindale Sweeps District Series with Wildcats Baseball Winning at Home Friday, 4-1
The Lindale Eagles won all three district games they played against the Wildcats’ baseball team this season winning again Friday at home, 4-1. Lindale and Royse City have both swept the Wildcats during district play. Friday night Lindale won a game where hits were rare. The Wildcats managed only 4 hits while Lindale got 5. The Eagles got timely hits. A second inning single resulted in an RBI as Lindale went up 1-0. In a big 3 run third, the Eagles got a triple that drove home 2 runs and a sacrifice fly that drove in the third run. Lindale was up 4-0 after three innings. The Wildcats lone run came in the top of the seventh. Kamren Harrison scored the run and Jace Burchfield drove him in. Kaden Argenbright was 2 for 2. Will Sims and Burchfield also had hits. The Wildcats left 5 men on base. In a battle of pitching Chaney’s, Lindale’s Landon Chaney got the pitching win going 7 innings allowing only 4 hits and 1 run with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. The Wildcats Jaxon Chaney took the pitching loss giving up 5 hits and 3 earned runs with 5 strikeouts and a walk over 6 innings. The Wildcats have now lost six straight games including 5 district games. They are now 2-7 in district play and are 10-9 for the season. Next week is Greenville week for the Wildcats. They play at Greenville Tuesday night and then at Wildcat Park next Friday. Earlier this season, the Wildcats took a district win over Greenville, 9-2 back on March 15 at Wildcat Park.
Sheriff’s Posse, DEA Host National Pharmaceutical Take-Back Day April 27
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse, in conjunction with the DEA will coordinate a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies focused on removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets.
A national take-back day, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27, will provide a unified opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications to law enforcement officers for destruction. This one-day effort will bring national focus to the issue of pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse, reports Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse Lt. Lisa Hooten.
A Drug-Take Back Day, offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 in the Hopkins County Courthouse Annex parking lot, allows people to dispose of unused and out-of-date prescription and over-the county medications.
With a few execptions, left over or unused medications may be disposed of in the Hopkins County Courthouse Annex parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27. That’s the parking lot for the justices of the peace and tax offices, located at 128 Jefferson St. in Sulphur Springs, accessibel from both College and Jefferson streets.
Intravenous solutions, injectable items and syringes will not be accepted due to potential hazard posed by blood-borne pathogens.
Lady Cat Softball Has Another Huge Win
Lady Cats Softball Takes Ten Run Rule Win Over Royse City Friday
For the second time this week, the Lady Cats’ softball team won by the ten run rule Friday night. After beating Texas High 15-5 on Tuesday evening, the Lady Cats bested Royse City, 12-2 on Friday. The Lady Bulldogs actually led 1-0 as they scored a run when the Lady Cats threw the ball away at first trying to complete an inning double play. The Lady Cats went ahead to stay with two runs in the bottom of the first. Brinklee Driver hit a two-run home run scoring Sierra Smith who got on when her fly ball was dropped. The Lady Cats went up 5-1 with a 3-run second inning. Smith hit a double that scored Addison Caddell and Maddie Millsap, both who had singled. Later Kate Womack drew a bases loaded walk that scored a run. Royse City got back to within 5-2 with a run in the top of the third. They benefited from an error, then there were two ground outs and an RBI single. The Lady Cats put the game out of reach with a big 6 run bottom of the fourth. After the first two Lady Cats made outs, Driver walked, Womack singled and Sadie Stroud had an RBI single. Caddell got on by an error. Landri Bell singled. Maddie Millsap hit a three run home run and Nylah Lindley singled. The Lady Cats led 11-2 after four innings. They reached the ten run lead with a run in the bottom of the fifth. The Lady Cats loaded the bases when Womack got on on a fielder’s choice, Stroud singled and Caddell got on on an error. Landri Bell walked with the bases load and a run scored. Smith, Stroud and Millsap had two hits each. Millsap had 3 RBIs and Smith and Driver had 2 RBIs each. Womack, Caddell and Millsap each scored 2 runs. The Lady Cats had 11 hits. Bailey Haggerty got the pitching win working 5 innings allowing 4 hits and only 1 earned run while striking out 2 and walking 1. The win propelled the Lady Cats into a first place tie in district with their 5-1 record. Mount Pleasant lost to Lindale Friday to slip to 5-1. Lindale is 4-2. The Lady Cats are 19-5 for the season. They play next at Greenville Tuesday night.
Lady Cat Track Athletes Advance to Area
Thirteen Lady Cats Track Athletes Qualify for Area Meet and They Take Second at District
Lady Cats Track Coach Derek Tyson called the two-day District Track Meet exciting as the Lady Cats qualified thirteen athletes for Area, scored 151 points and finished second to Texas High. The 21 point margin was less than Coach Tyson had calculated. He said the girls did an awesome job competing. In the discus, the Lady Cats finished 1-2-3 with Danielle Godbolt first, Sable Erdmier second and Abbi Beggs third. All three qualified for the Area Meet April 17 at Pine Tree. Freshman Brooklyn Burnside took first place in the high jump to qualify. Two Lady Cats qualified in the long jump as Abbi Baier was second and Breasia Ivery was fourth. Aliyah Abron was fifth. Beggs was fifth in shot put and Tarayla Kelley was eighth. Claire Bybee tied the school record in the pole vault at 10-feet 6-inches as she placed second to qualify. Sydney Washburn was second in the 3200-meter run to qualify. The Lady Cats 4 x 100-meter relay team of Sadavia Porter, Ivery, Kiyonna Redman and Baier was first and they qualified for Area. Baier won the 100-meter hurdles to qualify and Faith Hatley was sixth. The Lady Cats went 1-2 in the 100-meter dash as Porter was first and Ivery second. Both qualified. Abron was fifth in the 400-meter dash. Baier won the 300-meter hurdles to qualify and Hatley was sixth. Porter won the 200-meter dash to qualify for Area. Washburn got third in the 1600-meter run to qualify. The Lady Cats 4 x 400-meter relay team of Dalanee Myles, Burnside, Kalee Malone and Abron placed fourth to qualify.
SSHS UIL Academic Update
Wildcats UIL Academic Team Ends Up Second Place in District
After all the District UIL Academic events were contested, Sulphur Springs High School ended up in second place. Lindale finished first with 540 points. The Wildcats had 462. Mount Pleasant was third with 430. Going into Speech and Debate events Thursday (April 4) at Mount Pleasant, the Wildcats led Lindale by 18 points and were 119 points ahead of Mount Pleasant. Wildcats UIL Academic Coordinator Gerald Grafton said Lindale and Mount Pleasant are powerhouses when it comes to speech and debate. He said Wildcats debaters gave great effort but could not top Lindale and Mount Pleasant debaters. On Thursday, Rachel Bramlett qualified for Regional with a second place finish in Prose Interpretation. Hannah Schultz just missed out finishing fourth. AllieGrace Woodard was fifth in Poetry Interpretation. Lesha Woodard is the coach for Prose and Poetry Interpretation. The Wildcats will be well represented at the Regional UIL Academic Meet at Prosper on April 12-13. Twenty-six Wildcats qualified in district events. A fifth team will also be going as a wild card as the best #2 team in the region. The Social Studies Team of Brandon Hodges, James Draper, Bracken Sant and Tatum Williams coached by Madison Millsap was a second place team at district but earned wild card status to advance to Regional. First place teams going are Accounting, Computer Science, Literary Criticism and Spelling and Vocabulary.
Wildcat Track Athletes Advance to Area
Wildcats Track Finishes Second in District, Nine Wildcats Going to Area
The Wildcats’ track team had their finest district track meet in years as they narrowly lost to Texas High by 4 points. Nine Wildcats, many in multiple events, qualified for the Area Track Meet in Pine Tree on April 17 at the two-day District Meet Wednesday and Thursday (April 3-4) at Royse City. Wildcats Track Coach Matt Young said it was the best district finish for the Wildcats in eight years. On the first day, Ryan Hammons took second in the shot put to qualify for Area. Jermond Bryant-Amos was fifth. In high jump, Jeremiah Roland had a 6-foot-6 inches leap to take first place and qualify. Landry Tyson was third clearing 6-foot to qualify. In the triple jump, Damiyon Dugan had a clutch final jump of 42 feet, 11 and a half inches that moved him from fifth place to fourth as he qualified for Area by an inch. In the 3200-meter run, Landon Thornton took second to qualify and Christian Palomino placed third with his personal best to qualify. Eli Sellers qualified for Area as he won the pole vault going over 13- feet. In the long jump, the Wildcats had two qualifiers: Tyson was third going 20-feet 7-inches and Dugan was Mr. Clutch again with a final jump that got him fourth place by a quarter of an inch. Coach Young said the Wildcats scored 64 points after day one as they led the meet. There was one negative as Kylan Wade was running well in a 110-meter hurdle prelim when he hit the ninth hurdle and ended up running under the tenth to get disqualified. On day two, the Wildcats 4 x 100-meter relay was disqualified for running out of their zone. In the 800-meter run, two Wildcats qualified for Area as Nabian Ramirez was third and Sellers fourth. Rhett Reid was sixth. Tyson won the 110-meter hurdles. The Wildcats 4 x 200 meter relay team of Nabian Ramirez, Brycen Lacy, Wade and Reid finished fifth. Ricardo Torres qualified with a fourth place finish in the 400-meter run. Tyson also won the 300-meter hurdles to qualify. In the 1600-meter run, Thornton was second and qualified while Palomino was fifth. Going into the night’s final event, the 4 x 400-meter relay, Texas High led the Wildcats by a mere eight points. The Wildcats finished second to qualify but Texas High ended up third to edge out the Wildcats for the district championship by 4 points. The Wildcats relay team of Torres, Sellers, Tyson and Ramirez ran a 3:28.
Dr. Mark Miller Celebrated At Retirement Reception
After more than 53 years of serving others Dr. W. Mark Miller is retiring from medicine.
The physician moved to Sulphur Spring in 1970, and says he’s “thankful for all the years I’ve been able to do something I enjoy so much. It seems the right time to me to stop.”
“I am thankful God maneuvered me to practice medicine and put me here in Sulphur Springs,” Miller said.
He explained that when he first started college, he never even considered practicing medicine. In fact, the sight of blood, trauma or pain made him nauseous and faint. However, after a college roommate talked up medicine, he began to consider it. He talked to the head of the chemistry department, who assured him that he had overcome similar squeamishness and was confident Miller could too. He changed his major that week.
After five years studying at Lubbock, Miller attend medical school at the University of Texas Southwest in Dallas. He then spent three years working at John Peter Smith Hospital, a charity hospital in Fort Worth, where he treated some of “the sickest you can imagine.”
Miller said he then had the option of serving in Vietnam or working on a Reservation. He opted to serve two years at Sioux Indian Reservation in North Dakota, where one month of the year, the temperature only reached 20 below zero and at its coldest was 50 below at night. He treated patients, who were sent 13 miles to the town hospital if additional medical care was needed.
He moved to Sulphur Springs in 1970, working at the clinic, which he recalled seemed big at the time, with two halls with four rooms each and one surgery room. Back in those days, general practitioners and family doctors did a lot more than they do now in terms of immediate care, he said.
“We fixed fractures. We really did it all. We did lots of things,” Miller told the crowd who attended the come and go celebration of his retirement, held Friday at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Plaza.
He said he felt prepared for any possibility thanks to his training, and that of the other doctors at the clinic, who also trained at John Peter Smith.
He felt historically, he practiced during the ”greatest time” in medicine, a time when antibiotics such as penicillin and tetracycline were available to kill any bacteria.
In addition to surgery and treating infections, Miller said he also enjoyed delivering babies. He noted that when he started working at the clinic in Sulphur Springs, the cost for a delivery was $150, regardless whether it was a Cesarean section requiring anesthesia or a vaginal birth.
Medical records are quite different today than when he first began practicing medicine. In his earlier days, patients would come in, they’d talk about their need, he scribbled his solution on paper, and that was the medical record.
Now, he says he’s very thankful for the “exceptional, young smart, beautiful nurses who rescue me daily from the computer. He said his office has had the current computer system for five years. He started out hating them, although he and the computers are now friendlier, it won’t be hard for him to say goodbye to them.
Miller said one thing he’s realized over the last few months of saying goodbyes is just how very fond of his patients he’s become.
“I like them. They’re friends. I love them. It’s been a bit of an emotional experience … especially the last couple of months,” Miller said.
“Dr. Miller is a very caring person,” said urology nurse Laura Duke, who has worked with Miller at different times over the years.
“We are losing one of the greatest doctors to ever heal. He is a blessing to so many,”said Leah Irving, a nurse practitioner who worked with Miller as a nurse and looked up to him as a mentor when she made the move to practitioner.
“He is the kindest, most gentle, humble man I’ve ever known,” said Mandy Kennedy, who was not a patient of Miller, but has had occasion to know him from church and community involvement, as well as opportunity to learn of the depth of commitment he shows to his patients.
“He looks out for his patients. He called me one day, concerned for a patient, asking for resources for the patient who had special needs,” Kennedy said.
“He’s wonderful. A lot of patients will miss him a lot,” said Peggy Dietze.
Dr. Ken Haywood credits the care he’s received from Miller for keeping him “still going strong” at 65.
“Thank you for being a role model. You are respected. We love you,” said Dr. Curt Cutrell, who works with Miller at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic.
Lequida Jennings, who along with husband, retired Dr. Jerry Jennings, is Miller’s neighbor described Mark and Carol Miller as not just friends but “the nicest people.”
Another colleague of Millers described his a a “spiritually respected man.”
“It means so much to me to have so many here to bid me farewell,” Miller told the friends, family, patients and colleagues past and present who gathered at his retirement reception Friday.
