Gilbert Sentencing Trial Continues Monday
There will be no sentence for 17 year old Gavin Wayne Gilbert until Monday. Gilbert was found guilty of murder Friday,August 10, 2018, shortly after 11 a.m. Gilbert is guilty of first degree murder of Tyrese Pryor, 18, of Sulphur Springs. A Hopkins County Jury reached the decision in approximately 30 minutes after closing arguments were presented.
The jury return at 1 p.m. to begin the sentencing phase of the trial. The range of punishment for first degree murder is 5 years to life. Testimony in the sentencing phase of the trial continued until late afternoon Friday. Closing arguments by the state and defense will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday, August 13th.
A dispute over a buy of a small amount of marijuana led to the shooting death of Pryor and Felony 1 murder charges and four counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon filed against Gilbert. Gilbert was tried only on the murder charge this week in Eighth Judicial District Court.
The sale was between Gilbert and one of five passengers in a truck on County Road 1185 just off FM 1567 in the South Liberty area of Hopkins County. Those in the truck had traveled Sunday evening, December 17th, to the CR 1185 location to purchase a small amount of marijuana. During the sale, those present said a gun was produced and the driver of the truck began to speed away. That’s when 9-mm shots were fired into the back window and cab of the pickup as it drove away. Pryor, struck twice by the shots, was sitting in the back seat behind the driver of the vehicle according to testimony during the trial. Pryor was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer a short time later at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs.
I-30 Rest Stops Open Again
As of Friday afternoon, August 10, 2018, the rest areas on I-30 near Mt Vernon in Franklin County are open once again. After a temporary closure for inspection and maintenance, the location on each side of I-30 is serving weary travelers.
Dinner Bell Menu For August 15, 2018
DINNER BELL MENU
August 15, 2018
Community Partner
Anonymous
Menu:
Roasted Loin of Pork with Pan Gravy
Smashes Potatoes
Field Peas with Snaps
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread Slices
Surprise Cookies
Chocolate Pudding (the no added sugar dessert)
Served Wednesdays at 11:45 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs, TX.
No Mail Day Three
It’s day three for no mail delivery in Sulphur Springs as a mercury spill created a hazmat event that shut down the Dallas area mail regional distribution center for much of Northeast and East Texas. From the Sulphur Springs are to the Tyler area no postal deliveries other than local bulk mail has been delivered for the past three days.
The disruption of mail delivery is disrupting activities for local businesses in billing and receiving payments from customers. It is also affecting residents receiving needed mail in a timely manner.
Gilbert Found Guilty of Murder
Gavin Heath Gilbert, 17, of Hopkins County was found guilty of murder Friday shortly after 11 a.m. Gilbert is guilty of first degree murder of Tyrese Pryor, 18, of Sulphur Springs. A Hopkins County Jury reached the decision in approximately 30 minutes after closing arguments were presented. The jury will return at 1 p.m. to begin the sentencing phase of the trial. The range of punishment for first degree murder is 5 years to life.
A Hopkins County Jury reached the decision in approximately 30 minutes after closing arguments were presented.
A dispute over a buy of a small amount of marijuana led to the shooting death of Pryor and Felony 1 murder charges and four counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon filed against Gilbert. Gilbert was tried only on the murder charge this week in Eighth Judicial District Court.
The sale was between Gilbert and one of five passengers in a truck on County Road 1185 just off FM 1567 in the South Liberty area of Hopkins County. Investigations and evidence collection conducted by the Texas Ranger and Hopkins County Sheriff’s investigators and deputies are nearing an end according to law enforcement.
In the allegations of those present in the truck at the scene at the time of the incident, they had traveled Sunday evening, December 17th, to the CR 1185 location to purchase a small amount of marijuana. During the alleged sale, those present said a gun was produced and the driver of the truck began to speed away. That’s when 9-mm shots were fired into the back window and cab of the pickup as it drove away. It was said that Pryor was sitting in the back seat behind the driver of the vehicle. According to those present, they were fortunate more were not hurt in the incident.
The vehicle was driven to the Hopkins Country Fire Department Station 20 at Arbala Road and Texas Street seeking help for Pryor. From there he was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital where he was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer. Gilbert was arrested when the Texas Ranger, DPS, and the combined Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs SWAT team served a warrant around 2 a.m. Monday morning at the Gilbert home.
North East Texas Choral Society Seeks Singers
Live Longer! Come Sing With Us!
You will love our selections for this year’s Christmas Concert. We’re celebrating our 21st annual Christmas Concert with several new pieces of music. They are beautiful, and challenging, and you will love learning them with us!
We welcome singers of any age (16 and over), experience, and ability! No sight-reading necessary; just bring your voice and your smile!
Auditions: August 11th, 10 am – noon, at FUMC Sulphur Springs
Rehearsals: Mondays, 7 pm – 9 pm, beginning August 20th
Concert Dates: Dec. 1st and 2nd
Wildcat Team Tennis Defeats John Tyler for Season’s First Win
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad got good performances from a lot of different players to take a solid 13-6 win over John Tyler Thursday at the Wildcat Tennis Complex.
The Wildcats took five of six boys singles matches getting wins from Chase Crouch, Aaron Lucas, Carlos Lopez, Michael McCord and Jordan Gonzales. Girls recorded four singles wins. Heather Harris won when a Lions’ player had to retire due to an on court injury. Other wins came from Jeaux Leigh Cantu, Zoe Wilson and Harleigh Stegient.
The Wildcats also captured three boys doubles matches. Winning were Lucas and Jonah Kirkpatrick, Crouch and Lopez and McCord and Brandon Dittrich. Winning a mixed doubles match was the team of Gonzales and Cantu.
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said he hoped the win was one the team could build upon. The Wildcats improved their season record to 1-4.
A scheduled Saturday match against Terrell in Sulphur Springs has been canceled. After practice Friday, Coach Martinez said the team would be off Saturday and Sunday. The Wildcats return to play with a pair of road matches on Tuesday. They play at Hallsville at 8:30 a.m. and then at Jacksonville at 1:30 p.m.
Game Day: Lady Cat Volleyball in Garland Tournament
There is Lady Cats’ volleyball on this Friday game day. The Lady Cats are playing in a varsity only Garland tournament that also will have games in Sachse and Rowlett.
The Lady Cats will be playing pool games at court #1 at Sachse High School. The Lady Cats are scheduled to play Dallas Skyline at 10 a.m., then Carrollton Ranchview at 11 a.m. and host Sachse at 2 p.m. The pool results will determine future opponents.
The Lady Cats enter the tournament with a 2-0 season record. They defeated Sherman and North Lamar to open the season Tuesday at Sherman.
Proposed 2018-2019 Budget and Proposal to Increased Tax Revenue to be Discussed at City Council Special Session
As the Sulphur Springs City Council prepares to approve budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year, one mandated Texas law will be dealt with in Special Session Tuesday, August 14th. State law mandates that when total tax revenues increase, a public hearing must be conducted even if the increase is driven by property values increasing. Such is the case for the proposed budget.
The council will consider placing the proposed revenue increase on the September 4th regular session agenda (see agenda below). The proposed revenue increase will be heard twice before final approval.
The council currently plans to keep the tax rate at .44 per $100 of the valuation of property. According to the Hopkins County Tax Appraisal District, county-wide property values have increased 3.22% above the 2017 taxable values. The revenue increase will be found in the higher property values.
CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS
SPECIAL MEETING OF THECITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 14, 2018
6:00 P.M.
A special meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 in the Council Room at 201 North Davis. The following items will be discussed:
- Pledge and invocation.
- Discussions on proposed fiscal year 2018-19 budget.
- Discussion/action on motion to place a proposal to increase total tax revenue on the September 4, 2018, City Council meeting agenda and to schedule two (2) public hearings for the proposed tax increase.
