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
July 6, 2023 – 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. PateEpic Fail: 97% to be Exact By Johanna Hicks
Epic Fail: 97% to be Exact
Many news pieces come across my desk daily, but one really caught my attention. Since a large part of my job is food safety and health, I thought this information was worth sharing.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that new research shows consumer are failing to properly clean their hands when it comes to washing them before meals – 97%! The study showed that rushed and improper handwashing promotes the chance of cross-contamination through food, kitchen utensils, and surfaces, such as refrigerator handles, kitchen drawer handles and countertops. Carmen Rottenberg, with the USDA, is the mother of three young children and used her personal perspective to describe the importance of the research report. She, like many other parents, is “very familiar with the mad dash families go through to put dinner on the table.”
Observational research showed some concerning results in the following categories:
Handwashing: Consumers incorrectly washed their hands 97 percent of the time. Most consumer failed to wash their hand for the necessary 20 seconds (something that we recently taught at “Kids’ Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness”), and numerous participants did not dry their hands with a clean towel (used their pants or shirt, instead).
Thermometer Use: Only 34 percent of participants used a food thermometer to check that their burgers were cooked properly. Of those who did use the food thermometer, about half still did not cook the burgers to the safe minimum internal temperature to kill pathogens.
Cross Contamination: Participants were observed spreading bacteria from raw poultry onto surfaces and other food in the test kitchen. Forty-eight percent of the time, they contaminated spice containers used while preparing burgers, 11 percent of the time they spread bacteria to refrigerator handles, and 5 percent of the time they were tainting salads due to cross-contamination.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 48 million Americans are sickened with foodborne illnesses each year, resulting in roughly 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. The CDC warns that children, older adults and those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk.
With the arrival of summer and the popularity of outdoor grilling, the USDA is reminding consumers to use a food thermometer and cook meat and poultry products to their recommended safe internal temperatures. Meat and poultry products are considered ‘done’ when they reach the following minimum internal temperatures:
- Beef, pork, lamb and veal (steaks, roasts and chops): 145 degrees F
- Ground meats (including burgers and sausages): 160 degrees F
- Poultry (whole or ground): 165 degrees F
When checking for internal temperatures, use the food thermometer correctly. While cooking meat and poultry patties, insert the thermometer through the side of the patty until the probe reaches the center of the patty.
Remember also, to always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for a full 20 seconds after handling raw meat, poultry, or eggs. Use only on clean towels afterwards – not your pants or shirt!
Community Health Talks
If you missed the July 6 Community Health Talks at the Extension Office, you are still invited to attend the July 13th event, 6:30 p.m. Topics had to be adjusted to accommodate last minute speaker conflicts, so the topics for July 13 will be Brad Fain, with Zoetis Animal Health, who will discuss food security. Danielle Altenbaumer, with the Department of State Health Services, will speak on immunizations – who needs what, and when they need them. Information from the July 6 topics will be available for anyone wishing to learn about diseases affecting pets and humans (such as rabies), and Texas Cottage Food Laws, food safety, and safe food handling.
Call us at 903-885-3443 if you have questions. Refreshments will be provided.
Closing Thought
The heaviest work load you can carry is a bundle of bad habits – unknown
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Two-Part “Community Health Talks” Is a Round-table on Health, Animal Health Issues
Hopkins County Extension agents Mario Villarino and Johanna Hicks were guests on the KSST Good Morning Show with Enola Gay, and extended an invitation for the community regarding important local topics.
In the first of two sessions, the public is invited to listen and take part in a discussion by a local animal health professional concerning rabies and other diseases affecting animals and humans at a free round-table session at the Hopkins County Extension office on Friday July 6, 2018 at 6:30 pm. Dr. Leah Larson, who is a local Veterinarian with a practice at 744 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs, will share her knowledge about diseases that may affect animals and humans, how these can be transmitted and dangers to watch out for. Those who attend are encouraged to ask questions and join in the discussion. Additionally, the subject of Texas Cottage Food Laws will be discussed, as many people like to grow and sell garden produce and home-prepared foods like jellies and canned foods. Extension Agent Johanna Hicks will also offer education about the Texas Food Handlers Certification, available to persons who wish to sell home grown goods at Farmers Markets and roadside stands.
The second of the series will be held on Friday July 13 at 6:30 pm on the subjects of Food and Food Safety. Brad Fain, local representative for Zoetis Animal Health will speak on food security, amd the safety of foods that we purchase for consumption. Also, Danielle Altenbaumer with the Dept. of State Health Services will offer helpful information on immunizations, when we need them and the benefits of childhood immunizations as well as newer ones that have been developed in recent years for adults like Shingles and Pneumonia vaccines.
Refreshments will be served. The round-table sessions are free, sponsored by the Hopkins County Leadership Advisory Board. The Extension office is located at 1200 B Houston Street in Sulphur Springs.
Wildcat Football Season Tickets on Sale July 30-August 3
Football Season tickets for the 2018 Sulphur Springs Wildcats’ home football games go on sale July 30-August 3, according to SSHS Administrative Assistant Dwayne McMeans.
The packet of five home games will be $50 for the chair-back seats and $40 for the new rail-back seat section. The only Wildcat scrimmage this year will be vs. Liberty Eylau on Thursday, August 23, at Gerald Prim Stadium. Home games at Prim include Lovejoy, Terrell (Homecoming), Forney, Corsicana, and Kaufman (Senior Night).
Tickets will be sold in the High School Media Center. The first two days of ticket sales are July 30-31 and are open only to those who held season tickets in 2017 who wish to renew their tickets. On Wednesday, August 1, those who have already renewed their tickets may upgrade their seating assignments, based on the number of available seats.
All remaining seats will go on sale to the general public on Thursday and Friday, August 2-3. Sales will be conducted Monday through Thursday from 8:15 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Friday ticket sales will only be open from 8:15 a.m. until noon.
Those purchasing tickets are asked to use the Connally Street entrance on the east side of the high school.
Ticket holders who are unable to pick up their own tickets may designate an agent to pick up the tickets for them. However, tickets must be paid for with the ticket holder’s check made out to SSHS or SSISD and accompanied by a letter of authorization from the ticket holder.
For more information on season tickets, contact McMeans at SSHS, 903-885-2158, extension 2205.
Video Presentation: Senator Cruz Recounts Successes and Looks to Legislation Ahead
It was a Fire Marshall’s nightmare. Wednesday, July 4th, Pioneer Café in Sulphur Springs was packed wall-to-wall with shoulder-to-shoulder supporters of Senator Ted Cruz and State Senator Bob Hall. The Republican U. S. Senator and State Senate District 2 incumbents were on a whirlwind tour of Northeast Texas when they made the hour long stop in the city. Across Main Street a gathering of approximately 10-15 supporters of their Democratic opponent expressed their support for their candidates.
U. S. Senator Ted Cruz played one-on-one basketball with Jimmy Kimmel after Kimmel said Cruz is the reason the Houston Rockets lost in the NBA play-offs. Cruz challenged Kimmel to the game and 6,000 people gathered to watch the game that ended Cruz 11, Kimmel 9. Over $80,000 divided between two Houston charities also resulted from the game. With that introduction, Senator Cruz launched into the successes of the past session of the Senate. He began by noting the income tax cuts made. In response to the cuts and to the cheers of those present, he called for a simple flat tax and abolishing the IRS. Regulatory reform was his second emphasis. He said there are now more jobs open than people actively seeking jobs.He pointed out that unemployment numbers for African-American and Latinos is currently at its lowest since those numbers have been tracked. The biggest unfinished task for congress is, according to Cruz, Obamacare.
Cruz delighted in the number of justices appointed to the courts by the current administration and expects to see a new justice appointed to the Supreme Court in the fall.
