Significant Weather Advisory Until 1:45 p.m. in Southwestern Hopkins County
A significant weather advisory until 1:45 p.m. for Southwestern Hopkins and Rains Counties as a thunderstorm moves west at 15 mph southwest of Sulphur Springs. The storm may contain winds gusting to 50 mph. Lightning is also a threat in this storm.
Throughout the afternoon, thunderstorms will be moving through the area.
SSISD K-9th Grade Boys Basketball Camps Begin Monday
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta will have his SSISD Boys Basketball Camp next week. It will run Monday through Thursday in the auxiliary gym on the Sulphur Springs High School Campus.
There will actually be three camps for different age groups. Camp for boys entering kindergarten through fifth grade will take place from 10 a.m. until noon. Camp for boys entering sixth through the eighth grades is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. A camp for entering high school freshman will also take place from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. Cost per child is $50 except for ninth grade camp which has a $35 cost per camper.
Enrollment forms are available at the SSISD web site. Children may also be registered if they arrive early on the first day of camp. For more information contact Coach Cipoletta on line at [email protected]or by phone at 903 360-2512.
Historic Pleasant Grove Cemetery North Memorial Day Saturday July 7, 2018
The Pleasant Grove Cemetery (North) is located near Cumby, Texas in western Hopkins County along I-30. Families will come from all over Texas and beyond to take part in the annual visitation weekend, and many local families will include a reunion as part of the visit. Visiting the graves of loved ones buried in the cemetery is part of the Memorial Day, as well as a cemetery board meeting and dinner on the grounds under the picnic pavilion. Each family brings a large meal to enjoy and to share, as well as folding chairs and tables. If you are planning to attend, the meeting begins at 11am and the dinner will be spread starting at 12 noon on Saturday July 7, 2018.
A bit of history about Pleasant Grove area, the prairie community was settled in the 1870’s by early settlers of the Palmer, Gaddy, Pogue, Middleton, Beck, Lackey and Collins families. The cemetery was established later on the historic site of the old Plunkett School. The Plunkett Schoolhouse, named for it’s builder, was constructed in 1903 on donated land. In 1905, two schools were operating; a white school with an enrollment of 56 students, and a black school with an enrollment of 38 students. However, a school was already in operation as early as 1867 as district #30 among 32 total school districts in Hopkins County at the time. In it’s early years, Pleasant Grove was associated with schools serving students living in the Faulk Grove, Branom and Whistle Hill communities. The Plunkett school building at one time served as a meeting place for Cumberland Presbyterian Church in addition to a non-denominational congregation. The Plunkett School closed in 1945 and the building was razed. The cemetery was in use as early as the 1930’s. In 1991, a Texas Historical Marker was erected on the cemetery grounds, marking the site of the Plunkett School.
Some historical information about the Pleasant Grove North Cemetery was taken from the Texas State Historical Association Handbook of Texas Online and the Hopkins County< Texas Research Guide 2016.
Video Presentation: Walker, Aguilar, Johnson, Honored at City Reception
The City of Sulphur Springs honored Clay Walker for his 16 years on the city council, Oscar Aguilar for his 12 years on the council, and Craig Johnson for his 9 years. The three were honored Thursday afternoon in city council chambers. (See video below.)
Walker, who did not seek re-election for another term, has served on the council longer than any other. Prior to Walker’ 16 years, local attorney Larry Powers held the record with 12 years. Aguilar tied Powers’ record at 12.
Clay Walker
Mayor John Sellers welcomed those present and noted Walker’ length of service. Walker served as mayor for the city in 2005-2006. Walker was recognized for his outstanding service to the city with a city medallion, mayor’s gavel, photo, and portrait. Walker addressed those present saying it has been an honor serving the city. He stated that the future for the city is bright and he is optimistic for the city’s future. Walker will continue to service the city as an Economic Development Commission board member.
Oscar Aguilar
Aguilar, mayor of the city in 2008, received a photo , a mayor’s gavel, and commemorative coin. He stated that he hoped the abandoned would be made habitable. He noted the reviving of the building that now houses the council chambers and staff offices. He said progress in the city will continue to draw new residents to the city.
Craig Johnson
Johnson, who has been on the council for 9 years, and also served as mayor, received the three gifts. He noted the council members with whom he had worked and the city staff. He stated that all had worked well together to accomplish much.
Sellers noted the advances made in the city during the years of service of the three. He stated that they had not always agreed but had always remained friends.
Brashear Man Held on Over $1-Million in Bonds for Sexual Abuse of a Child
Following a lengthy investigation, Hopkins County Deputies arrested John Christopher Burt, 45, of Brashear at his residence on 11 warrants involving sexual activity with a child. County Criminal Investigators worked closely with the Texas Attorney General’s office during the investigation and the securing of warrants.
This is not the first time the child has made an outcry of sexual abuse. In the previous outcry, the perpetrator was not Burt. Due to the fact that the District Attorney’s office here had prosecuted the first outcry, the office recused itself from this investigation. The current outcry dates back to events in 2016.
The 11 counts against Burt include Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child with a bond set at $250,000. Three counts of Indecency with a Child with bonds totaling $75,000. ($25,000 on each count). Seven counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child with bond on each count set at $100,000 for a total of $700,000.
Burt is in Hopkins County Jail held on bonds totaling $1,025,000.
Two Arrested For Meth
A traffic stop on FM 275 at FM 499 in Cumby resulted in the arrest of two occupants of a 2011 Silverado pickup.
The passenger in the vehicle, Laura Christine Morehead, 49, listed as homeless, was wanted on warrants for Assault Public Servant and for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence. The Hopkins County Deputy asked for consent to search the vehicle but consent was denied. A K9 unit was called to the scene and alerted on the vehicle. During a conducted search, a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine was located. A glass pipe commonly used to smoke meth was also located. The crystal substance field tested to be methamphetamine and was measured at 1.5-grams.
The driver of the vehicle, Dalton Ray Morehead, Jr, 51, of Sulphur Springs and his passenger were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Both are in Hopkins County Jail. Laura Morehead is held on bonds totaling $30,000. Dalton Morehead, Jr. is held on a $10,000 bond.
Hearts of Life Animal Rescue Presents Sara for Adoption
Sara is ready for her new home. Sara is approximately 7 years old. She is great with children but she is a little particular with other dogs. She is great on a leash, not too rowdy and loves to prop her nose on anything that’s handy! When she’s excited, she’ll twirl on her hind legs!
Her adoption fee is $100.00 which includes all previous vetting, shots, spay and rabies. Please contact Hearts of Life Animal Rescue to meet this sweet girl! Call 903-439-5019, email [email protected],
Hearts of Life Animal Rescue will be at Petsense of Sulphur Springs Saturday, July 7th from 10:00-4:00 for an adoption event and bake sale as well!
Tira News: July 6th 2018
By Jan Vaughn
The 80th annual Tira Homecoming was held on Sunday, July 1st . The group seemed a little smaller than usual. We hope everyone will invite their friends and family to come next year on the first Sunday in July. We appreciate Mark Chapman volunteering to be the Program Chairman this year. He and Mason Gillem played percussion instruments and led the music for the program and were accompanied on the piano by myself, Jan Vaughn. Mark shared about the history of Tira, as recorded by Janie Vicars, Ann Shaw, Mamie Sullivan, and Ruth Weir. During the business meeting, Billy Joe Clayton and Rick Petty were reelected to the cemetery board for another term. Following the program, we enjoyed visiting and a picnic lunch. We want to express our appreciation to Floyd Lawson for mowing and upkeep on the cemetery grounds, to Regina and Martha Payton for sending out the homecoming letters, and to Regina for providing the commemorative homecoming fans. A special thanks goes out to everyone who contributed to the cemetery fund. We, also, appreciate Danna Lewis volunteering to be in charge of the 2019 homecoming program.
Yvonne reported, “The Weir Family Fun Day, planned by Mary Helen and Dana, was a great success. The cousins played on Slip ‘n Slides and in kiddy pools.” Robert, Yvonne, Wesley, Dacy, Elise, and Eli, Destri, Eben, Mena, Emmy, and Nicolass, and Dustin and Maria were there from the Robert Weir family. Joyce Dodd was there with her great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Gavin, and Ethan, along with Mary Helen, Dana, Kaitlyn, Addison, Ava, and two friends. The event was held at the Tira Community Center on Saturday, June 30th.
On Wednesday, June 27th , Robert and Yvonne took Wesley to Shenaniganz in Greenville. Yvonne commented, “Wesley loved the go-carts and laser tag.” I was able to accompany Chip on a business trip to Idaho. We decided to extend our time and vacation in the Yellowstone and Big Sky area, while we were in that vicinity. We enjoyed wonderful weather and beautiful scenery.
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] .
Sulphur Springs Summer 42 Tournament Winners
28 Teams battled it out for 9 Hours on Saturday, June 30th at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center.
4th Place: John Fee and B. W. Pate
