Local Fundraiser Set to Benefit Christian School in Kenya
Local resident June Lucky visited the Ongoro Christian School in Kenya in April of this year as a part of a tour of orphanages and other work being carried out in the Homa Bay region of Kenya. The tour of 15 orphanages in the Rift Valley of Kenya supervised by Kenya Widows and Orphans (KWO) led Lucky to begin planning a way to provide $4000 needed to buy sufficient books for the Ongoro School.
She said that when she visited the school, she found respectful, well behaved children attending classes in structures with dirt floors, windows with no glass, little lighting and only chalk boards where chalk paint painted on a stone wall and the lesson copied to the wall by the teacher. Students were using scraps of paper to copy the lesson because they had no textbooks. She realized the great need for textbooks. In Kenya a fee must be paid for children to attend public school, be transported to school and school uniforms must be provided. Lucky said public school teachers in Kenya often do not show up for class. Religion cannot be taught in public schools. Ongoro Christian School is not a public school but is funded by donations.
Lucky has shared the need with others and donations have been made that have her just short of the $4000 goal. So she has been soliciting items to sell in an event to be conducted at a later date (originally set for October 13th, but cancelled due to expected showers and thunderstorms). Items in the sale will include Christmas decorations, a six foot Christmas tree and smaller tree, toys, games, books, movies, kitchen utensils, homemade microwave cozies, dresses, lap quilts and scarves, softball bats and a helmet, shoes, jewelry and more.
She stated a $5 donation will purchase one textbook. The money from the sale and donations will be sent to KWO in Midland, Texas and forwarded to Kenya to purchase books there.
Ratcliffe Legislation Provides Local Investigator Needed Forensic Equipment
WASHINGTON – Rep. John Ratcliffe’s (R-Texas) legislation to fight crime using digital evidence led to the prosecution of dozens of child exploitation cases throughout Northeast Texas since it was signed into law by President Donald Trump last year.
“I’m incredibly grateful that my new law allows law enforcement officers in Northeast Texas to better leverage digital avenues to get dangerous child sex offenders off the streets,” Ratcliffe said.
“Whether it’s a cell phone call that was made, or a geolocation that was sent – we’ve got many emerging ways to pinpoint predators in our communities. It’s critical that our state and local police know what digital evidence to look for and how to find it, so we can prosecute those who commit sickening crimes against the most vulnerable in our society.”
The Strengthening State and Local Cyber Crime Fighting Act (P.L. 115-76) equips state and local law enforcement officers to properly identify and collect evidence needed to prosecute an increasing number of cases involving digital footprints. The law enables officers from across the country to learn about the collection of cyber evidence from Secret Service agents at the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) in Hoover, Ala.
Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford of Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office recently met with Ratcliffe’s district staff to discuss the impact of his law on the Northeast Texas community. He is a graduate of multiple classes at the NCFI that focused on computer forensics and mobile device examination, which have helped him solve child exploitation crimes in coordination with the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
On top of the exceptional training, Weatherford said the NCFI provided him with top-of-the line equipment to bring back to his local law enforcement agency, which allows him to provide forensic services to Northeast Texas. This training and equipment is now used in a growing number of investigations in the region.
“Forensics were once looked at as something that is reserved for only the highest priority cases,” he said.
“Today most adults and many children have smartphones with them daily. These mobile devices find their way into many investigations other than traditional computer crimes.
“A mobile device may be extremely valuable evidence in practically any case if one considers the possibility of location data, call logs, text or chat conversations, web history, and many other artifacts that can be found on these devices.”
Due to the uptick in cases involving cyber forensics information, cell phones and other electronic devices, Weatherford said his NCFI training has played a critical role in his work on dozens of child exploitation cases that led to prosecution on the state and federal level. This included the conviction of a Cumby school teacher with 100 child victims, and a conviction in a Sulphur Springs case involving a local pastor for child pornography.
As the former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, Ratcliffe’s prosecution and conviction of a Nacogdoches, Texas sheriff’s deputy for child sex crimes gained statewide acclamation. This work encouraged him to introduce the Strengthening Children’s Safety Act of 2017 (H.R. 1842), which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last year to boost children’s safety by closing loopholes in the federal laws that punish sex offenders.
Ratcliffe plans to continue his fight against child exploitation in the upcoming year.
“The horrific child exploitation crimes I prosecuted during my time as U.S. attorney still haunt me. They’re what spurred me to prioritize legislative efforts in Congress that focus on protecting children, and I won’t give up on this important fight.”
Local Man Sentenced to 75 Years in Prison
David Carl Harvey, 41
In a probation revocation trial Thursday in Eighth Judicial District Court, David Carl Harvey, 41, of Sulphur Springs, was sentenced to 75 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Harvey, who has a lengthy arrest record dating back to January, 2000, was charged twice in January of this year for Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams. One of the charges included in a Drug Free Zone.
In August of this year, Special Crimes Unit activated an arrest team that included deputies, patrol officers, and Criminal Investigators from the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and the Sulphur Springs Police Department. The team successfully arrested Harvey at his residence on Georgia Street. The arrest team was activated due to information about weapons at the residence and the possibility of Harvey fleeing. Harvey was aware of a felony warrant issued for his arrest. Harvey did attempt to flee when officers arrived and some had entered the residence. However, he did stop at the entry door of the house when it became apparent other officers were present outside the residence.
Diamond Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison
Howard Gregg Diamond, 57, of Sherman, was sentenced to 20 years in Federal prison and forfeited his DEA registration number following his plea of guilty in the Eastern District of Texas court. He had faced life in prison.
Diamond was arrested last year on charges related to prescriptions of opioids including fentanyl, hydrocodone, and morphine that were named as the cause in seven deaths in Oklahoma and in Sulphur Springs, McKinney and Abilene, Texas. He was indicted July 6, 2017 and charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, health care fraud and aiding and abetting and money laundering. The investigation of the case was conducted by the U S Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service and the Texas Office of the Attorney General.
Diamond admitted to being responsible for only one patient overdose. The indictment stated that all seven victims died within one month of filling their prescriptions. Diamond had been ranked 12th in the nation and first in Texas in total prescriptions written in 2014.
Miller Grove Hornets, Lady Hornets Win District 23-A Cross Country Championship
The Miller Grove Hornets and Lady Hornets both won the district championship in cross country in District 23-A.
In an incredible showing, the Hornets took the top six spots to capture the championship. Isaiah Billinsley won the race with a time of 15:43.08. Kobe Robertson was second, Matthew Brignon was third, Lance Verner Davis was fourth, Tanner Hensley was fifth and Lexton Sly was sixth. The Lady Hornets were led by Cassidy Seaney who finished second in the race. Jolee Fox was third, Jorja Bessonett was fourth, Lauren Bullard was fifth, Alexa Pelerose was seventh, Lainy Burnett was eighth and Harli Watson was eleventh.
The Yantis Lady Owls finished second in district. Maddie Hooker of the Lady Owls won the race. Also for Yantis, Maggie Hooker was sixth, Yesenia Macias was 14th, Victoria Macias was 20th, Brooke Barrett was 27th and Lizbeth Camacho was 30th.
District 2 Senator Hall to Visit Sulphur Springs Saturday
Saturday afternoon, October 13, 2018, District 2 State Senator Bob Hall will be on the downtown square in Sulphur Springs between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hall, called by some the most conservative Senator in Austin, will meet with constituents.
Hall, a Republican and incumbent seeking re-election, will have yard signs available and lemonade and cookies will be served. Local Republicans invite the public to attend and meet Senator Hall.
Candlelight Vigil Planned for Victims of Domestic Violence
The Safe-T Crisis Center of Sulphur Springs’ Outreach plans a Candlelight Vigil on Tuesday October 16, 2018 at 6:30pm on Celebration Plaza. The purpose of the Vigil is to honor the silent voices and those who have lost their lives to domestic violence. Speakers will include Hopkins County Attorney Dusty Hyde Rabe, and domestic violence survivor Gala Lawrence. In case of rain, an alternate location will be The Roc at 115 Putman Street.
Ragan Dennis, Outreach Coordinator for Safe-T Crisis Center reminds us that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and encourages everyone to attend the Vigil. Domestic violence affects people of every age, gender and nationality. The Safe-T Crisis Center is a non-profit organization serving eight NE Texas counties, offering assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Sulphur Springs Crisis Center is located at 613 Gilmer Street, inside the CANHelp office complex. The Safe-T Crisis Headquarters and Shelter in Mt. Pleasant was established there in 1995. Persons who wish to report domestic violence/sexual assault at a Safe-T location can expect confidentiality and capable, caring representatives. You can reach Safe-T by phone at 903-439-0325.
Blue Santa Toy Drive Begins Oct. 22 in Hopkins County
According to Amy Griggs, Community Liaison for the Blue Santa Toy Drive, it’s almost time for the Blue Santa campaign to start. You can begin looking for the Blue Santa barrels to appear around Sulphur Springs retail areas in late October. That’s when the annual Toy Drive begins in earnest, and your help is needed. During the past several years, Blue Santa has stepped up to assist with increasing needs in the Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs community. Plan to help Blue Santa make Christmas brighter for local children by purchasing toys at local retailers and dropping them in the blue barrels in October. Then, as you celebrate Thanksgiving, remember those less fortunate by purchasing and dropping toys in the barrels. Then on December 3 and 4. attend the special Blue Santa Donation Days on the Lowe’s parking lot. Bring money and/or toys and enjoy the brisket lunch fundraiser! Blue Santa 2018 toy distribution will be held mid-December for qualifying local families who are signed up. To sign up for Blue Santa assistance this Christmas, go to CANHelp at 613 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs starting October 22, 2018 or phone CANHelp at 903-885-9797.
Alabama Man Arrested for Possession of Meth
Robert Royce Haga, 54, of Huntsville, Alabama, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violationon I-30. Hopkins County Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford, who was on patrol Wednesday afternoon, observed an open container in plain view in the vehicle. Haga admitted it was his. The driver of the vehicle admitted to having marijuana under his seat. A search of the vehicle revealed a syringe loaded with a clear substance believed to be methamphetamine in Haga’s luggage. Haga admitted to possessing the meth.
Haga is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams. He is held on a $10,000 bond. The driver of the vehicle was charged with a misdemeanor possession of marijuana under 2oz.
