Chamber Connection June 28, 2018
Just so you know, it’s just never ever too early to talk about the Hopkins County Stew Contest! The date of this year’s Stew Contest will be Saturday, October 27th. Go ahead and start planning your teams, because we are going to have a great contest this year!!! Additional information will be sent out to teams and sponsors in early August, but I wanted you to “Save the Date”! I can taste that stew already!
Ceremony for Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
There will be a ceremony for the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark that was received for the Ashcroft house, located at 333 College Street in Sulphur Springs on Saturday, June 30th at 11:00 a.m.. The ceremony will be on the front lawn and refreshments served on the porch after the ceremony. This is a great accomplishment and is only the second RTHL awarded in our county. John Sellers will be giving additional history on the house and its plot of land.
27th Anniversary of the Independence Day Celebration on Celebration Plaza
Mark your calendars for a stunning and memorable night of a free concert and fireworks presented by the Sulphur Springs Symphony League on Saturday, June 30th, on Celebration Plaza in Sulphur Springs. The concert begins at 8:00 p.m. with fireworks to immediately follow. It is an event that should not be missed. Bring your families, your lawn chairs, or your picnic blankets and enjoy the sights and sounds of Independence Day in Hopkins County.
Historical Society hosting Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Hopkins County Historical Society is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the new events building at Heritage Park on Monday, July 2nd at 3 p.m. Heritage Park is located at 416 North Jackson Street in Sulphur Springs. Once completed, the new building will boast restrooms, event space, and ample kitchen and storage space. Please make plans to join us at Heritage Park for this exciting day!
AgriLife hosts Community Health Talks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is hosting a round-table discussion series on issues affecting health in our community. Session 1 is called Animal and Human Health and will be held on July 6th at 6:30 p.m. at the Hopkins County Extension Office located at 1200 W. Houston in Sulphur Springs. Dr. Leah Larsen, DVM, will speak on rabies and diseases affecting pets and humans. Danielle Altenbaumer, Dept. of State Health Services, will speak on clearing up the human vaccination confusion. Register by calling 903-885-3443 by June 29th. Session 2 is called Food and Food Safety. It will be held on July 13th at 6:30 p.m.at the Hopkins County Extension Office located at 1200 W. Houston in Sulphur Springs. Brad Fain, of Zoetis Animal Health, will speak on food security including temperature danger zone, safe food handling.
Splish Splash Water Bash
The Hopkins County Fall Festival is throwing a Splish Splash Water Bash on Saturday, July 21st from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Celebration Plaza in Sulphur Springs. Kids seven and under are free, and children eight years of age and older are $5. Kids under five must be accompanied by an adult. Ice cold soda and water will be on sale. Make plans to go and have a great time!
Reilly Springs Jamboree
Monty Tipps and Main Street will serve up traditional country music in a 2-hour show on Saturday, July 21st at 6 p.m. Admission to the monthly (3rd Saturday night) Jamboree is $10 person. A special concert will be held on Saturday, August 18th at 6 p.m. featuring the world-famous Blackwood Quartet. Tickets will be $15 general admission or $25 for the Meet-and-Greet with reserved seating for the Blackwood Quartet’s “Gospel Side of Elvis” Concert, a part of their 85th Year Anniversary Tour. For tickets and information, contact Enola Gay Mathews at (903) 438-3568.
Sulphur Springs Public Library presents their Summer Reading Program for June and July
The Sulphur Springs Library is hosting a summer reading program called Fun with Mary Poppins Reading Program 2018. Story time will be each Tuesday at 10 a.m. in June and July (except for July 10 and 17). Watch for special guest appearances along with fun, stories and great prizes. Minecraft is back every Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. beginning June 1 and ending July 27. Thursday, June 21st at 6 p.m. is a special Mary Poppins Story time event, and Friday, June 22nd at 3 p.m., don’t miss the Bubble Show with Brett Roberts. Then, Thursday, June 28th, at 11 a.m. the library will welcome Will Parker with a very musical story time. The library is happy to answer any questions, please call (903) 885-4926, or you can visit www.sslibrary.org.
Ribbon Cuttings:
AFLAC hosted ribbon cutting celebration
Leann Oliver and Sheila Askins with AFLAC hosted a ribbon cutting celebration at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, June 20th at noon. The Chamber is located at 300 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. Leann and Sheila explained many of the benefits of AFLAC with Chamber members. If you have questions, give us a call and we’ll put you in touch.
A Farewell to Coach Jeff Chapman
The chance of be a girls’ athletic coordinator was an opportunity former Lady Cats Basketball Coach Jeff Chapman could not pass up as he decided to head to Paris from Sulphur Springs recently.
During an interview Wednesday (June 27) morning, Coach Chapman said the girls athletic coordinator opportunity was exciting. He will also be the Paris Head Girls Basketball Coach. He said he had thought about the coordinator’s job before and he had hoped to be able to do it somewhere. Coach Chapman said he did not search for the job. Paris officials came to him. He said to went to the job interview with the intention of saying no and staying at Sulphur Springs. The coordinator position was the deciding factor.
With that added responsibility, Coach Chapman will not be teaching. He will also be able to coordinate athletics in middle school as well as high school. Coach Chapman said his wife played some softball in Paris and had friends over there. Paris is also closer to his wife’s mother who lives near Grant, Oklahoma.
Coach Chapman said Sulphur Springs has been good to him. He said nothing happened to upset him and he added he had no major issues here. Coach Chapman said he was proud of what he was able to build here and he said he would miss current members of the Lady Cats’ basketball team. Coach Chapman will literally and figuratively leave some big shoes to fill. He arrived on the scene after a 2009-2010 season which saw the Lady Cats go 4-22 with a 3-9 district record. Coach Chapman’s first team compiled his only losing record here, 16-17, but the team made the playoffs and won a bi-district game against a Hallsville team that had defeated the Lady Cats at home, 77-30, the season before. The Lady Cats then had seven winning seasons making the playoffs every year and getting more than 20 wins in six of the seven seasons. The past three seasons the Lady Cats won 26 games and captured or shared the district championship each year. The 2013-2014 team, which went 25-6 won three playoff games and went to the regional quarterfinal game. That matched the best any Lady Cats’ basketball team has ever done.
Coach Chapman had an overall record of 179-77 in his eight seasons in Sulphur Springs.
Four Sulphur Springs Women Focus on Welding at PJC-Sulphur Springs Campus
June 27, 2018 – WOMEN WELDERS: The summer welding class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center includes four young women from Sulphur Springs. While welding isn’t a traditional occupation for women, interest is growing and “these students are doing great,” according to Instructor John Plemons. They are, from left with Plemons looking on; KeaAron Cash, Nicky Cline, Emily Kuiper, and Hailey McKinney. All but Kuiper are in structural welding. Kuiper is in advanced welding. According to the American Welding Society, only about 5.8 percent of working welders are females. These students said they love it and are in it to stay.
Hopkins County Grand Jury Hands Up 44 Indictments June 26, 2018
Forty-four indictments were handed up by a Hopkins County Grand Jury Tuesday, June 26, 2018. Those included in the indictments and already arrested are:
COWART, JUSTIN DEAN
Justin Dean Cowart indicted for Criminal Solicitation Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and Attempted Traffic Child Engage Conduct/Sexual. Hopkins County Criminal Investigators and deputies arrested Justin Dean Cowart, 31, of Yantis, for Attempted Human Trafficking and Criminal Solicitation Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. The arrest at a local discount box store came following a law enforcement response to the guardian of a child. The guardian had met Cowart on line and had been communicating with him. Cowart became interested in the child of the guardian. Ultimately, Cowart stated online that he wanted to purchase sex acts with the minor. That is when the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office was called. An officer assumed the role of the guardian in the online conversations which brought about the meeting with Cowart in Sulphur Springs at the site of the arrest.
Neal Douglas Lenzi indicted for Injury Child/Elderly/Disabled with Intent Bodily Injury.
Marco Antonio Ordun
Marco Antonio Orduna indicted for Continuous Violence against the Family. A Sulphur Springs Police officer was dispatched to a fight in progress in the 100 block of Nicholson Street. Marco Antonio Orduna, 21, was found to be the aggressor in the fight. Orduna has previous convictions for assault family violence this year. Orduna was arrested at the scene and the victim did wish to file an emergency protective order. Visible injuries were found on the victim, Orduna’s ex-girlfriend.
Barbara Jean Moore
Barbara Jean Moore indicted for Forgery Government/National Instrument/Money/Security. Sulphur Springs Police were called to a local fast food establishment when a customer in the drive-thru attempted to pass a counterfeit $100 bill. The local officer made contact with the individuals in the car in the drive-thru. Barbara Jean Moore, 32, of Terrell told the officer that she had attempted to pass the counterfeit bill.
Brandy Jamaal Gaines
Brandy Jamaal Gaines indicted for Evading Arrest Detection with Vehicle/WTRCF With Previous Conviction or SBI. When the Sulphur Springs Police officer attempted to make a traffic stop at Craig and Booker Streets , Brandy Jamaal Gaines, 35, of Sulphur Springs slowed to come to a stop before fleeing the officer’s pursuit. Gaines did come to a stop at Coleman Park and exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The officer gave chase and apprehended Gaines.
Brianna Mykel Ivery indicted for Evading Arrest Detection with Vehicle.
Wes Gerald
Wes Gerald indicted for Evading Arrest Detection with Vehicle.
Christopher Shane Freeman indicted for Evading Arrest Detection with Vehicle.
Alberta Jean Duffey indicted for Theft Property less than $2500 two or more with Previous Conviction.
Tammy Jo Woodard indicted for Theft Property less than $2500 two or more with Previous Conviction.
Zachary Meyette indicted for Theft of Firearm.
Jeffery Lynn Phelps indicted for Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More.
Juan Cruz Perez indicted for Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More.
Justi
Justin Blaine Sicard
Justin Blaine Sicard indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than4-grams but less than 200-grams and for indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams in a Drug Free Zone. Special Crimes Unit initiated a traffic stop in the 300 block of Oak Avenue and the driver of the 2004 Saab was visibly nervous. A pat down of the driver located a zipper pouch containing 9.8-grams of suspected methamphetamine.Justin Blaine Sicard, 28, of Winnsboro, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams and for a warrant for driving the wrong way on a one-way roadway. Sicard confessed to the possession and to selling meth. A second charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams has been added for Justin Blaine Sicard, 28, of Winnsboro. Sicard is in Hopkins County Jail for the first charge of selling methamphetamine. He was called to book in where the second charge was added.
Vivian Vanessa Auceda indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 400-grams.
Jerrica Danielle Papenfuse
Jerrica Danielle Papenfuse indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams. When the driver of a 2009 Dodge Journey, with an obscured license plate, ignored an official traffic control device on I-30 Westbound at the 131 mile-marker, a Hopkins County Deputy made a traffic stop and in plain view on the passenger floorboard was a syringe containing a brown liquid suspected to be Heroin. The male passenger, Elias Moreno (picture not available), informed the officer that there was cocaine, heroin, and Fentayl in the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed multiple plastic bags of the three controlled substances. Also located in the vehicle was a green duffel bag concealed in the spare tire compartment. In the duffel bag were four large bundles wrapped in silver foil tape and vacuum sealed The four bundles contained cash totaling approximately $180,247. K-9 O’Malley, along with Hopkins County Deputy handler performed a free air sniff on the currency. The K-9 provided a positive alert for illegal narcotics present on the currency. Arrested were the driver, Jerrica Danielle Papenfuse, 29, of Toledo, Ohio, and EliasMoreno.
Elias Moreno indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams.
Jamie Audrey Butler indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Desiree Skye Butler indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Joe Manuel Gutierrez indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Jayme Lee Westbrook indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Rhonda Renee Whittle
Rhonda Renee Whittle indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams. A defective headlamp on a 1999 Chevy Trailblazer led to a Hopkins County Deputy initiated traffic stop at Jefferson Street and Loop 301. The driver of the vehicle, Rhonda Renee Whittle, 51, of Sulphur Springs, appeared to be extremely nervous regarding questions asked during the interview. She did not have a driver’s license and a check of her name and birthday noted that she was not eligible for a license due to license being suspended. Consent to search the Trailblazer led to the discovery of several marijuana joints inside her purse and ashtray. As she was being transported to Hopkins County Jail, admitted to having additional drugs on her person and at the jail showed a green baggie containing a crystal like substance that proved to be methamphetamine weighing approximately 1.29-grams.
Malodie Kay Pettigrew
Malodie Kay Pettigrew indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams and one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram. Malodie Kay Pettigrew, 29, of Greenville was arrested on three Hopkins County warrants when she was stopped by a Hopkins County deputy at Highway 11W and FM 3134. However, when placed in the patrol unit, she admitted to several pills on her person. That wasn’t all. At Hopkins County Jail, she was found to have not only several different variety of pills but also a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine.
Ruthie Darlene Gipson indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Preston Redmond
Preston Redmond indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Travis Allen Shipley indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 more than or equal to 4-grams but less than 400-grams.
Cydnie Pauline Finned indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 more than or equal to 4-grams but less than 400-grams.
Jackson Blaze Gilbreath indicted for Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
Wanda Denise McDaniels indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone IAT.
Darrin Ray Fairchild indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
Brian Alan Argenbright indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
Andrea Lynn Chapman indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
Hunter Alexander Collins indicted for Possession of Marijuana more than 4oz but less than 5lbs.
texas flag courthouse
Meal A Day Gets Food and Funds Donation from Oncor
L. to R. Larry Willis, Karon Weatherman, Meal A Day Cooks: Mary Morris, Jim Turner, Debbie Wisniewski, Tina Phillips and Joyce Burchfield
Larry Willis , Oncor Area Manager, Representing Oncor Distribution, Measurement and Transmission Employees in Sulphur Springs and Joyce Burchfield of Oncor made a donation of Canned Goods and $340.00 to the Meal A Day Program on Wednesday, June 27, 2018.
“Camp Braveheart” Children’s Bereavement Camp Sponsored by Cypress Basin Hospice July 12, 13
Chaplain Mark Davenport, Bereavement Coordinator at Cypress Basin Hospice in Mt. Pleasant is planning a bereavement day camp for children ages 6 through 12 who have experienced the loss of a family member or friend in death. In it’s ninth year, the two-day camp will be held Thursday July 12 and Friday July 13, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs. Similar camps are being held this summer in Paris and Mt. Pleasant. The hours are 8:30 am until 3:30 pm. There is no cost to attend. Learn how to register a child for the camp at cbhospice.org or by calling 903-577-1510.
According to Davenport, children grieve differently than adults, and those differences need to addressed in an appropriate setting for them. Camp Braveheart benefits parents and guardians with a safe and loving environment for addressing the issues of loss. The camp sets three main objectives for the children: to feel safe, to know that God loves them, and to be part of a community of others who have similar challenges. On the first day, campers will attend group counseling with opportunity to talk about their loved ones and specific memories of that person. Individual counseling will also be available. Two meals per day will be eaten together at table with time for conversation about their families and homes. Games and craft projects will entertain as well as teach, and will provide memorable keepsakes they can take home with them. A Memorial service will be held for the loved ones on Friday at noon, followed by a pizza lunch and water play time as a wrap up to camp.
With grief-related concerns, you can reach Chaplain Mark Davenport at any time by calling 903-577-1510 or contact Cypress Basin Hospice at cbhospice.org.
City Council Approves Contract, Postpones CIP Vote
A contract awarded and a postponed vote on the Capital Improvement Plan was the result of a special session of the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night, June 26, 2018. Work begins on the awarded contract today and a final vote on the CIP will be on the agenda for the July council session.
Sulphur Springs City Council awarded the contract and approved a bid of $247,000 for sanitary sewer work to be performed along Highway 11W from just west to Stonebriar to the east within the city limits. Work to move the 1000 feet of sewer lines and a pump station begins today, June 27, 2018. The cost of the project will be reimbursed by the Texas Department of Transportation. TxDOT has already approved the amount and the contractor. The work is necessary for TxDOT to complete roadwork along State Highway 11W. The rework of 11W has taken 10 years and is now in the final stages.
With a limit to budgeted funds that can be spent on the 2019-2023, the five year Capital Improvement Plan will receive one tweak prior to final approval according to discussion of council with city staff. The city engineering department, utility departments and capital construction crew leadership answered council questions regarding how the plan is developed and the flexibility of the plan. City staff noted that the age and condition of sewer and water lines were a driving force in the streets designated for rework. They pointed out that the older segments of the city contained the older lines that were in dire need of repair. The downtown area and streets along Connally and College Streets were noted as priority areas. The five year plan calls for $3.5 million to be spent from the water and sewer funds and $5.5 million from street funds. The sewer work moving a major line from across hospital property to around hospital property and down Jackson Street from money already budgeted is also underway.
The council did question if flooding along College Street had been evaluated. Staff answered that it had been evaluated and would be eliminated or reduced during the rework of that street. Staff assured council that flooding would not be worse than it currently is.
The council requested that city staff extend one project, Bellview Street, for an additional block. That means that another project will be dropped from the list of 10 projects proposed to the council due to budget limits. The Bellview project was set for South Moore and finish at Texas. A council member advocated that the work extend to League Street to Texas Street.
The motion to approve the CIP for 2019-2023 that had been tabled at the June meeting has now been postponed until the July session as they await final cost of the Bellview rework including the extension requested.
Local Home Receives Registered Texas Historical Landmark Designation; Dedication is Saturday, June 30th
Known locally as the Ashcroft House, a colonial style house built in 1939 at 333 College Street will be the center of attention Saturday morning at 11 a.m. when the house will be named a Registered Texas Historical Landmark. The designation is a higher designation than a historical landmark. The County Courthouse is the only other building in Hopkins County with the designation.
A Registered Texas Historical Landmark is not only based on the history of the building but also on architecture. There has been an addition made to the original structure but that was 50 years ago and the architectural style was carried out in the addition.
The current owners of the house, Monty and Vivian Dennis Monzingo, have resided in the house for two years. Their love for the house, the appreciation for the history of the house and their love for the community along College Street motivated them to apply for the designation, according to Sulphur Springs Mayor and local historian John Sellers. Sellers says the house has a distinctive place in Sulphur Springs. It serves as a landmark. He noted that a number of pictures for various occasions have the interior and exterior of the house as a background.
The designation does not mandate that the family open the house for tourists. However, any changes or repairs to the house will require approval by the state historical commission.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony Saturday morning at 11 a.m. on the front lawn of the home.
Two Arrested for Felony 2 Mushrooms
The odor of fresh marijuana gained the attention of the DPS Trooper that stopped a 2005 Honda Civic for speeding and an equipment violation Tuesday evening at the 126 mile marker on I-30. The two passengers, Nicolas Cardenas, 22, of Dallas, and Linda Harmony Hardy, 20, of Cedar Hill were arrested for possession of a controlled substance—psilocybin mushrooms.
Based on Hardy’s statements and demeanor during questions asked by the trooper, it was apparent both she and Cardenas were knowingly in possession of the mushrooms.
Both are in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2, more than 4-grams but less than 400-grams, a Felony 2.
