Franklin County Sheriff Offers Public “A Public Shooter in the Making” Training Event
Franklin County Sheriff Ricky Jones in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Association of Texas is sponsoring a free, unique training opportunity at the Mount Vernon ISD Auditorium Saturday, November 17, 2018. A four hour training course entitled, “A Public Shooter in the Making” will be taught by retired Texas Department of Public Safety Inspector Marx Howell and Texas DPS Victim and Employee Support Services Counselor Bunny Terrell, LMSW.
Topics for the course include: understanding, recognizing, and identifying behavioral indicators, or “red flags”A to identify potential threats by an angry individual; Internal and external triggers for violence; and Recognition of Potentially Violent or Dangerous situations that law enforcement, schools, and religious institutions.
The event is open to the general public and if free. Texas Peace Officers will receive four (4) hours of TCOLE training and teachers will receive four (4) hours of CPE credit for attending. Teachers can register for CPE credit through the Region8 website.
Sheriff Jones asks that no school aged children attend due to some of the material covered.
DPS, SCU, SWAT Make Arrest on Drexel Drive
Special Crimes Unit and the local SWAT Team assisted Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Team conduct a search warrant at a residence on Drexel Drive. During the search, a pistol and approximately$10,000 in U S currency was located. Also marijuana was found at the location. The search came as a result of Texas DPS investigation concerning marijuana being shipped from Fresno, California to be sold in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
The firearm was located under a bed and the serial number had been removed. The case is still on-going and more charges are expected.
Arrested at the scene and placed in Hopkins County Jail was Nathaniel Dion Smith, Jr., 39, of Sulphur Springs. Smith was arrested for Theft of Firearm and Possession Marijuana more than 4oz but less than 5lbs. Other charges may be added. Prior arrests in Hopkins County include illegal substances and engaging in organized criminal activity dating back to 2007.
Wildcats Wrap Up District Season at North Forney Friday
Well traveled Texas high school football coach Randy Jackson seems to enjoy the challenge of rebuilding football programs that are going through hard times. Such a situation brought him to North Forney in 2017. The Wildcats wrap up district play Friday night (November 9) in Forney against North Forney.
After a strong 2017 season, the Falcons have fallen on hard times this season. They are 3-6 overall and are 2-5 in district play. They are out of the playoff picture. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens believes the Falcons may have six athletes playing college ball off of last year’s stellar team.
The injury bug has also impacted the Falcons. For the season’s first six games, North Forney was led by quarterback Jaylin Smith. He injured his shoulder and now is attempting to help the team as a wide receiver.
Coach Owens remembers meeting Coach Jackson and his wife at a coaches retreat just before he came to Sulphur Springs in 2006. Coach Jackson was at Lone Oak at the time and already had several former locations on his resume. Coach Jackson is in his second year at North Forney. Prior to that he was at Grapevine for three seasons. He spent the 2013 season at Plano East. Coach Jackson is credited with turning around the Mesquite Poteet program coaching there in 2010-2012. He was at Lone Oak from 2004 through 2009. Coach Jackson also coached at Dekalb, Mason, Paducah and West Mesquite. Coach Jackson also wrote a book in 2016 entitled Culture Defeats Strategy: 7 Lessons on Leadership From a Texas High School Football Coach.
SSHS Drama Department Presents The Three Musketeers
Every fall, the Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Theatre Department puts on a fund raising production. This fall they are presenting The Three Musketeers. The play premieres Thursday (November 8) at 7 p.m. It will also be staged Saturday (November 10) at 7 p.m. and Sunday (November 11) at 2 p.m. Tickets are available from any cast and crew member or at the door for $5 for students or $10 for adults. Any veteran can get in free on Sunday, Veterans’ Day.
Director of Theatre Arts Lesha Woodard explains that The Three Musketeers is a non-musical. She has decided to rotate non-musicals with musicals in the fall. Ms. Woodard says the play this year features a huge cast of kids and lots of fun. Back in September, the cast and crew got a visit from a certified swordsman who conducted training with the students teaching them how to sword fight safely.
Ms. Woodard says the play features the familiar Three Musketeers’ story and the same wonderful characters. Shes says that playwright Ken Ludwig has added a bit more humor and modern language. It features a swashbuckling story of heroism, treachery, close escapes and above all, honor. The original was written by Alexandre Dumas.
Ms. Woodard says auditions took place the second week of classes and students began work right away. After quite a few graduations last school year, Ms. Woodward says this year’s drama department features lots of young talent. Junior Chase Berry plays d’Artagnan. Sophomore Rorie Young plays d’Artagnan’s sister Sabine. The Three Musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis, are played by freshman Ben Braddy, junior Reagan Kesting and senior Johnathan Johnson. The Queen of France is played by sophomore Hannah Shultz. Cardinal Richelieu is played by senior Hagen Hunt. The infamous Countess de Winter, also known as Milady, is played by junior Rachel Bramlett. Crew members include senior Tre Ransom, senior Stage Manager Cody Queen and Assistant Technical Director Loren Carter. Ms. Woodard is directing and her Technical Director is Desi Pharis.
Significant Weather Advisory for Southwestern Hopkins County/Northern Rains County Until 12:45 p.m. Thursday
A significant weather advisory has been issued for Southwestern Hopkins and Northern Rains Counties until 12:45 p.m. At 12:21, Doppler Radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near East Tawakoni or 17 miles southeast of Greenville moving east at 45 mph.
Nickel size hail will be possible with this storm.
Commerce Man Arrested
With bloodshot eyes and nervous actions during a traffic stop in the 100 block of West Industrial Dr. Vincent Lee-Sheldon Jones, 30, of Commerce provided motivation for a Hopkins County Deputy to conduct an open air sniff of the Grand Marquis he was driving. Jones had refused consent to search the vehicle.
When the K-9 gave a positive alert, a search of the vehicle found suspected narcotics. Jones is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams, a felony 3. He is held on a $15,000 bond. This is his second stay in Hopkins County Jail. Last month he was arrested for Tamper/Fabricate Evidence with Intent to Impair.
Legacy Hospice Holds Memorial Event During National Hospice Month
On Sunday, November 3, 2018, staff and volunteers of Legacy Hospice of Sulphur Springs hosted a Memorial Service for families of persons who were under their care this year. The event was held in the Sanctuary and Parlor of First United Methodist Church. Opening prayer and a program of encouragement were offered by FUMC Sr. Pastor, Reverend Ed Lantz and by Hospice Chaplain CJ Duffey. Benediction was offered by FUMC Associate Pastor Reverend Dean Libby. As a tribute, the names and photos of over 100 individuals who had been assisted by Legacy Hospice were shown. Following a time of visitation and refreshment, family members gathered in the church prayer garden for a butterfly release.
Inside the program, a message about grief was stated, “Grief never ends… but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness…nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love”.
National Hospice and Palliative Care Month is observed in November and sponsored by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization. Every year, more than 1.58 million people living with a life-limiting illness receive care from hospice palliative care providers in the United States, reports the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
Save the Date! DBA Ladies Night Out Event Tues. Nov. 13
Marlene DeYong of Marlene’s Sass and Class Boutique gave some exciting news on the KSST Good Morning Show! The second annual Ladies Night Out on Tuesday November 13, 2018 will launch the holiday shopping season in downtown Sulphur Springs! From 6-8pm that night, visit as many of the participating shops and restaurants as you can, enjoy their shopper specials and sign up for door prizes, then BE THERE at a special closing event at 8:30pm. The closing event will be held in the upstairs meeting room above Corner Grub House, with an entrance on Connally Street. In addition to the merchant door prizes, a Grand Prize worth $500 will be awarded. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN! This fun holiday evening is sponsored by the Downtown Business Alliance and participating merchants. And remember to attend other DBA events this season! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!
SSISD Dismisses One Hour Early Friday, November 9th
Students and staff in Sulphur Springs Independent School District will be released one hour early Friday, November 9, 2018. Buses will run one hour ahead of their regular schedule.
