Tira News November 21, 2018
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Mary Rawson. She passed away on Saturday, November 17th, and her funeral was held on Tuesday at the Tira Methodist Church, under the direction of West Oaks Funeral home. Please remember the family in prayer.
Joyce Dodd reported that the Tira Food Pantry was the recipient of a “truck load” of canned food from the North Hopkins Elementary School. Student groups, under the direction of their principal, Kodi Wright,participated in a contest to bring the most items. We want to express our appreciation to them for their generous donation!
The Community Christmas Party is coming up soon. It is scheduled for Saturday, December 8th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Tira Community Center. Brisket will be provided and residents are asked to bring side dishes and desserts. Also, we will be collecting canned meats for the Community Food Pantry. Make plans to come enjoy a time of visiting with your neighbors. We are expecting Santa to drop by to visit with the kids!
The Tira City Council will meet on Monday, December 3rd,at 6:00 p.m. After the meeting, the group will be decorating the Community Center for the Christmas party. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Weirs – Robert, Yvonne, Wesley, Dustin, Natalie, andMaria spent the weekend in Branson, Missouri. Yvonne reports, “We saw a great oldies show and a great magician. We also visited the Hollywood Wax Museum,which was tremendous. It was fun being together. Dustin, Robert and I had a long canasta game. Not sure who won! We didn’t get home until 2 a.m. Tuesday.”
Our granddaughter, Jaidyn Joslin, and our great-grandsons, Brailon and Slaiden Joslin, spent Saturday night with us and went to church with us on Sunday. Their brother, Rylan, came for a while on Saturday evening, but he wanted to go with his mother, Laiken, to pick up his sister, Dixie, on Sunday. Dixie is spending the week with Landon and Laiken and the boys. Landon was on call on Sunday and had to make a few runs to fix tires,but he stopped by for some lunch. Our daughter, Tiffany, came for lunch, too.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We have much to be thankful for.
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 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Children in CPS Custody, Mother and Another Arrested
Three children were placed in Child Protective Services custody and their mother and the male driver of the vehicle in which they were riding were arrested when marijuana packaged for sale, THC product, and two firearms loaded with ammunition were found in the vehicle. The loaded firearms were near the children who were riding in the back seat of the vehicle.
A Hopkins County deputy stopped a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 Tuesday evening for a traffic violation on I-30 eastbound. Raymond Antonio Sheard, 23, of Fort Worth, the driver, informed the deputy that there was marijuana in the vehicle. The passenger and mother of the children, 25-year old Kayla Marie Sessums, handed the deputy the marijuana that was in the front seat. A probable cause search located a large quantity of marijuana packaged for sale. The two firearms were located along with 1.5 pounds of suspected THC product.
Sheard has an extensive criminal history for firearms, assault of public servant, illegal narcotics possession, and theft of firearms according to the deputy’s report.
Sessums and Sheard were arrested and charged with Possession Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 more than 400-grams.
Cipoletta Says Wildcats Capable of More
Perhaps the #15 ranked Wildcats’ basketball team’s upset of the #2 ranked team in Class 6A Rockwall Monday night will send shock waves across the state of Texas. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said it may be a shock to some but not to him and the Wildcats because they know what they are capable of.
He said the team went into the big game in Wildcats Gym feeling a little underrated. Coach Cipoletta said the team knows they can be special. He said all the players have confidence, play with confidence and play for each other. Coach Cipoletta said when a team plays for each other, good things can happen. The Wildcats 10 point lead at halftime was impressive but then holding onto the lead against such a strong team was perhaps more impressive.
Coach Cipoletta called the second half scary since Rockwall has such well coached amazing players. In player lingo, Coach Cipoletta said the Yellowjackets had some dudes who can get going at any time. He said the Wildcats were very persistent. He said when Rockwall hit big shots the Wildcats kept their cool and when the Yellowjackets forced a turnover the Wildcats stayed calm. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats knew they had to stayed focused for 32 minutes.
Keaston Willis outscored all players with 32 points. Coach Cipoletta said Willis played an amazing game. He said the performance would attract a lot of attention for Willis. He said other players on the roster would also be attracting attention as well. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats also had some dudes, most who are under appreciated. He said the Wildcats play with a chip on their shoulders. Coach Cipoletta said his team goes into every practice and every game wanting to get better. He said the team motto is to try and prove other people wrong. A couple of the Wildcats are defined by more than just points.
Coach Cipoletta singled out senior guard Jeremiah Roland for his defense. Coach Cipoletta said Roland limited high scorer Alec Grandstaff to just 4 points. He also praised junior forward Sadaidriene Day Day Hall for his rebounding and for requesting the defensive assignment on Rockwall’s Samuell Williamson, a Louisville commit. Coach Cipoletta called Williamson one of the best high school scorers he has ever seen. He said Wildcats senior post Xavier Cork competed well against Rockwall. Cork was limited in the first half by foul trouble but then had a good second half. He ended up with 14 points.
Coach Cipoletta said he did not expect his team to open the season 3-0. He said before their first game his team was not ready. Now he said this team has a chance to make a good run in the playoffs and to challenge for the state championship. One of the spectators at Monday’s game was former Wildcat Victor Iwuakor, an Oklahoma commit. Coach Cipoletta said Iwuakor is a great kid and added it was a joy to coach him. He said Cork and Hall are much better players for having gone against Iwuakor in practices. As big as the Rockwall win is, Coach Cipoletta does not see it as the highlight of this season. He has much bigger moments in mind for his current team.
‘Fly Your Flag’ Combines Fun and Fundraising for New Women’s Center Equipment
When you hear the term “Fly Your Flag” what do you think of? Well, in Hopkins County during Thanksgiving season, it means school pride, pride in community and generous hearts. ‘Fly Your Flag’ has become a fun, competitive way to raise money for needed hospital equipment to better serve the local community. This year’s event is slightly different than in years past and has some very positive perks built in!
Along with a planning committee made up of Charles Helm, Michael Lamb, Mikki Eddins and Holly Ragan, and Meredith Caddell, who is CEO of the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation, re-vamped the Fly Your Flag event and opened it up to a larger cross-section of persons who love their college alma maters! Basically, the college who raises the most money on ‘Fly your Flag’ Day gets to have their college colors flown above the Hopkins County Courthouse for a whole week. That’s still true, and to add to that, now a $1,000 scholarship will go to each of the top three fundraising schools, to be awarded to deserving students selected by the local alumni associations. So it’s a win/win for everyone!
There will be exactly 200 opportunities to donate money to the Fly Your Flag fundraising campaign during the morning hours of Tuesday November 20, 2018. Meredith and volunteers will be on the downtown Celebration Plaza at the Donation Wall, taking phone pledges and walk-up pledges. So don’t get left out! And in the New Year when you or someone close to you gets the benefit of the new 3D Mammogram machine with Biopsy Option, Bone Density Testing equipment and Ultra Sound department in the new Women’s Center at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs, you will know why ‘Fly Your Flag’ is so dear to the hearts of the community. Additionally, “naming opportunities” are still open for persons who would like their donations to carry the name of a loved one upon a door or a department at the new center. For more information and other donation opportunities, see the website hopkinscountyhealthcarefoundation.com or phone the Foundation office for details at 903-885-2961.
Peckham Sentenced to 20 Years
Editor’s Note: KSST thanks Assistant District Attorney and County-Court-At-Law Elect Clay Harrison for information in this report.
Koty Peckham, 38
On November 19, Koty Peckham, 38, of Winnsboro, was sentenced for the offense of felony Evading with a Motor Vehicle by District Judge Eddie Northcutt. The defendant had multiple prior felony convictions, including Evading with a Motor Vehicle and Bail Jumping. The defendant pled guilty to fleeing from DPS Troopers on December 13, 2017 while on Highway 11. Ultimately, the troopers called off the pursuit due to safety concerns after they were able to positively identify the defendant as the driver. A couple of months later, on February 14, 2018, the defendant later attempted to evade DPS troopers near Amarillo, leading police on a high-speed chase up to 130 miles per hour involving approximately 20 officers. The Amarillo pursuit ended in the defendant being arrested.
During the sentencing hearing, the State presented evidence that the defendant was a member of the Peckerwood white supremacist organization and that he had numerous felony convictions. The judge sentenced Peckham to the maximum of 20 years in the Institutional Division, TDCJ. The judge also found true the State’s allegation that the defendant operated his motor vehicle in a manner that was capable of causing death or serious bodily injury to another. Based on this finding of true, the defendant will not be parole-eligible until he has served 10 years of his 20 year sentence.
Fly Your Flag Today! Get Ready To Bid
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation will be on Celebration Plaza today accepting bids for their “Fly Your Flag” auction. More opportunities to win are available this year as in years past. In addition to the winning school having bragging rights to having their college alma mater’s flag flown in Celebration Plaza, the second place school will also have their flag flown. Also, if enough bids are received, the top three schools will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship each to be given by that school to a Hopkins County student.
Bidding is a little different this year, with multiple schools able to get recognition for their efforts.
Below is a link to a short video to help explain how the new bidding process will work:
Saltillo Basketball: Lions Win; Lady Lions Lose
Liberty-Eylau 74, Saltillo Lions Basketball 63
The Saltillo Lions came out on the short end of a 74-63 game against Liberty-Eylau Monday. The Lions outscored the Leopards, 21-18 in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t nearly enough to catch up. Chris Boekhorst had another big night for the Lions with 24 points. Matthew Gurley scored 16 points, Ben Moore had 9 points, Levi Hoover and Edi Olayo had 5 points apiece. Andrew Redburn scored 4 points. The Lions are now 1-2 for the season. The Lions play Como-Pickton on November 20.
Celeste 47, Saltillo Lady Lions Basketball 38
The Saltillo Lady Lions lost a first half lead at home and ended up losing to Celeste, 47-38 in Saltillo Monday. The Lady Lions were up 11-10 after the first quarter and up 28-20 at halftime. Celeste rallied to outscore the Lady Lions 27-10 over the last two quarters. Chandler Bain led the Lady Lions with 15 points. Brittney Peeples had 10 points. Jocelyn Ochoa scored 6 points. Lorena Castro added 3 points. Anna Reeder and Maddy Smith scored 2 points apiece. The Lady Lions had an excellent night at the free throw line hitting 13 of 14. The Lady Lions are now 4-6 for the season. The Lady Lions play Yantis at home on November 27.
Lady Cats Holds Off Fourth Quarter Rally to Defeat LE 54-53
The Lady Cats’ basketball team improved their season record to 2-0 with a nail biting 54-53 victory over Liberty-Eylau in Texarkana Monday night (November 19). The Lady Cats withstood a furious fourth quarter rally from the Lady Leopards and escaped with the one point win.
The Lady Cats reportedly got good scoring efforts from seniors Sadavia Porter and Autumn Tanton. Tanton also had a good night rebounding. After the Thanksgiving break, the Lady Cats will play Terrell in Wildcats Gym on November 27.
Wildcats Upset 6-A #2 Rockwall 77-67
The state’s #2 team in Class 6A, Rockwall was upset by the #15 team in Class 5A Sulphur Springs, 77-67 in Wildcats Gym Monday night (November 19). The Wildcats took a lead in the first quarter and never gave it up.
The Wildcats led 21-12 after one quarter, 37-27 at the half and 58-45 after three quarters. The Wildcats were led by senior guard Keaston Willis who scored a game high 32 points. Willis got the Wildcats going with 12 first quarter points and scored 13 fourth quarter points to assure the Wildcats held on to their lead. Willis hit 4 three pointers. Senior post Xavier Cork scored 14 points including 11 in the second half. Junior Cameron Kahn added 12 points including two-three pointers. Junior forward Sadaidriene Day Day Hall scored 8 points and did a good job rebounding. Junior guard Grayson McClure scored 6 points on two three-pointers. Senior guard Jeremiah Roland scored 3 points on a three-pointer but drew praise from Head Coach Clark Cipoletta for limiting a major Rockwall scorer to only 4 points. Sophomore Boo Wilkerson scored 2 points. Rockwall’s Samuell Williamson, a Louisville commit, scored 28 points for the Yellowjackets. Rockwall slips to 6-2 for the season.
The Wildcats are now 3-0 with all of their wins over Class 6A teams. The Wildcats play next on Saturday in the Duncanville Thanksgiving Hoop-Fest against an opponent to be determined. Tournament officials initial scheduled the Wildcats to play Dallas Woodrow Wilson but both teams requested different opponents since the teams are scheduled to play in Sulphur Springs on December 4.
