Brashear Woman Reports Assault; Arrested for Meth
Sunday morning Christina Almendarez Medina, 40, of Brashear, contacted Hopkins County Sheriff’s office that she was the victim of an assault. During their investigation, deputies found a clear crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine inside the bedroom.
Medina (photo not available) and her boyfriend had been living together for 5 months. Her boyfriend, who was not at the residence at the time of the investigation, is being considered at large and is sought for the assault and a possession of a controlled substance charge.
Medina is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams, a Felony 3. She is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Winnsboro Police Department Report July 9-15, 2018
Winnsboro Police arrested three, responded to 144 calls for service, issued 39 citations and wrote 32 warnings during the report period July 9-15, 2018. There were no accidents reported.
Bryan Couch, 26, of Gilmer, was arrested on July 9th on a Winnsboro Municipal Warrant.
Stephen Hotary, 52, of Quitman, was arrested on July 10th on a Broward County Warrant.
Jordan Grant, 33, of Winnsboro, was arrested on July 13th on a Winnsboro Municipal Warrant.
Meal a Day Menu for July 16th-20th
Meal A Day Menu
July 16 – July 20
Monday
Cheese Burgers
Lettuce, Tomato, Pickles and Onion
Pork N Beans
Chips
Tuesday
Rope Sausage and Sauerkraut
Black Eyed Peas
Corn Bread
Wednesday
Chicken Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Green Beans
Roll
Thursday
Shepherds Pie
Broccoli
Pickled Beets
Friday
Chicken and Rice
Malibu Vegetables
Roll
San Antonio Woman Sentenced to 15 Years in Delta County Burglaries
Friday morning in Delta County Eighth Judicial District Court, Heidi Wosotowsky pled guilty to burglary and was sentenced to 15 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Wosotowsky, of San Antonio, was one of two women arrested in March for burglaries in Lamar and Delta Counties. The other woman, Amber Michelle Morgan, 36, of Hopkins County, remains in Hopkins County jail on the burglary and other charges.
As reported by KSST News in March, 2018, Lamar and Delta County Sheriff’s offices requested the assistance of Hopkins County Investigators and Deputies in an arrest and recovery of stolen property that solved two separate burglaries in those counties. All of the stolen property was recovered including guns, computers, and law enforcement also located methamphetamine, according to Hopkins County Investigator Dennis Findley. Findley stated that local law enforcement went to a residence on CR 3568 where they found the stolen property, meth, and Morgan, 36, along with Wosotowsky. A Mossberg rifle was found under Morgan’s bed. The methamphetamine was located during the execution of a search warrant. Morgan is a convicted Felon and was on Parole for Burglary of a Habitation.
Morgan remains in Hopkins County Jail.
BackStory Brewery Opened Friday
A $1.8 million investment for by owner is now open. East Texas’ newest craft brewery, BackStory Brewery, is now open for business in the old Ice House at 211 Magnolia, Sulphur Springs, serving craft beers on tap. Friday evening, July 13th, one glitch in the Grand Opening did not hamper the fun of those attending the family friendly venue that will feature arcade games, pinball, pool tables, shuffleboard, corn hole, and giant Jenga. Due to a fault with the sprinkler system, the tap room was not open but patrons enjoyed the extended patio and service through the keg room doors. Some work continues in the outdoor space. However, that did not hamper an evening of fun for those attending the opening.
Those present enjoy the live music with Matt Dunn and Cole Risner, the cuisine of the food trucks and a corn hole tournament. A corn hole tournament Saturday will feature a cash prize, shwag giveaways, and more. The atmosphere is laid back and everyone is welcome. The staff is trained to help novices familiarize with craft beer and find a new favorite. Flights and tastes are available.
The venue will also be available for rental for private events with indoor and outdoor areas available. The venue can accommodate 20-2,000 people.
Taproom Hours: Thursdays 4pm – 10pm; Fridays 4pm – 10pm; Saturdays 12pm – 10pm; Sundays 12pm – 10pm
Current Beer Menu: Notta Hazy IPA (strong citrus flavor with zero IBU – 6.1% ABV); Strong Bock (6.9% ABV); Minivan Meltdown with Mango (IPA 8.1% ABV); Slice of Sunshine (California common steam beer – 5.4% ABV); Blonde (8.2% ABV); Hoppy Red (6% ABV); Hefty Lefty Barleywine (11.2% ABV); EBC’s 47 Old Ale (8.8% ABV)
Annual Senior Citizens Ice Cream Contest Provides Sweet Relief From the Heat
As always, a large crowd of Senior Citizens was on hand for the annual Ice Cream Contest at the Sulphur Springs Seniors Center to act as tasters and judges. And as they gathered, a crew of fourteen ice cream makers were bringing in their freezers full of prize-winning homemade ice cream which were lined up at serving tables. Karon Weatherman, assisted by the Hopkins County Marketers, handed out the bowls and spoons and at 2 pm sharp, she blew the starting whistle. There was a rush to get in line for samples of choices flavors, and in almost no time, the ice cream was gone and the vote was in. Here are the standouts in the 2018 Ice Cream Contest.
1st Place – John and Mary Ellen Little – Cherry
2nd Place – Edith Hankins – Peach Praline
3rd Place – Marci Gammill and Micca Sheedy – Abaccus Home Health – Banana Caramel Crunch
John and Mary Ellen Little, Cherry Ice Cream
Edith Hankins, Peach Praline Ice Cream
Team Marcie Gammill (pictured) and Micah Sheedy with Banana Carmel Crunch
Of course, all the rest were too good to leave out, so here are more winners!
Honorable Mentions:
Stacey Wetzel – CIMA Hospice
Shannon Almand – Untied Health Care – (Shown in Photo Stepahnie Wells) Chocolate Butterfinger
Kaci Berryhill and Debbie Jones – Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab – Vanilla
Yorri Massey – Cypress Basin Hospice – Buttermilk Plum
Joyce Bateman – Heritage Park Museum – Peach
Mack and Sandy Pitts – Strawberry Banana
Stacy Wetzel, Cima Hospice with Banana Ice Cream
Joyce Bateman, Heritage Park with Peach Ice Cream
Yorrie Massey, Cypress Basin Hospice with Buttermilk Plum Ice Cream
Kaycie Berryhill and Debbie Jones of SS Health and Rehab with Vanilla
Mack and Sandy Pitts, Strawberry Banana Ice Cream
Shannon Almand, United Healthcare, Vanilla
Incorporating Herbs Into Your Landscape
By Sharon Burnette – Hopkins County Master Gardener
When my husband and I moved to East Texas fifteen years ago, I looked forward to having a garden and especially an herb garden. At first my focus was growing herbs for cooking. Over time I learned herbs are found almost everywhere and have generally been defined as “the useful plant”. In addition to cooking, herbs are used for making scents and perfumes, aromatherapy, herbal healing in folklore and modern medicine, landscaping, attracting beneficial insects and deterring unwanted insects and wildlife. Because herbs hybridize readily, new varieties are created every year for specific markets or needs.
Using herbs in your landscaping requires assessing the location being considered as to whether you need low hedges and borders, background plants, tall plants, sunny or shade-tolerant plants, or ground covers. Different herbs can meet a variety of needs. The key to growing herbs, like any plant, begins with keeping the soil healthy. Successful gardeners are continually working to improve and maintain good soil by assessing the soil at least every planting season and then adding the necessary amendments. These amendments help to maintain desired soil depth (18 inches), fertility, microorganism health, and needed space between particles in soil for optimum air and water circulation. An excellent amendment is compost, whether homemade or commercial. Herbs require soil with good drainage—herbs left in standing water leads to root rot.
Annual herbs should be watered like any annual plants; for example, treat basil as you do other heat-lovers. Lavender, rosemary sage, and thyme grow best when leaves stay mostly dry. For best results water them at ground level. This is especially true with lavender which I discovered when the lavender in my vegetable garden was doing so much better than that in my flowerbeds. Difference being we use drip irrigation in the vegetable garden. The other herbs are a bit more tolerant.
Mulching will help conserve moisture and keep the soil cooler in the hot Texas summer months. However, don’t pile it up around 4-inch herbs; most small herb plants need good air circulation, or their stems will begin to rot. Especially pull back mulch when planting rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme. A better option for these Mediterranean natives is a layer of loose gravel which improves drainage and reduces stem rot. Gravel also reflects heat up into the plant’s dense center helping dry any wet leaves.
Herbs do need to be fertilized; however, be careful not to over fertilize herbs—it produces lavish overgrowth but diminished flavor. For example, over fertilization of some herbs, like mint and basil, increases flowering, reducing leaf production and flavor. Cutting off blooms before flowering will save more energy for leaves and maintain flavor. The best way to keep your herbs in shape is by using them and gently pruning often to avoid excessive leaf drop that produces bare, woody stems.
I enjoy continuing to incorporate herbs into our landscape. In addition to my herb garden, I have them in my vegetable garden, flowerbeds and container pots. Some of my favorite herbs are rosemary, basil, lavender, pineapple sage, and Mexican bush sage. Pineapple sage and Mexican bush sage bloom summer to early frost drawing both hummingbirds and butterflies. There are herbs to fit your every need!
Shadow Renaissance Festival : Major Fun, Fundraiser for Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center
Kris Cobb, Kim Cobb and Marion Cox, organizers of the first annual Shadow Renaissance Festival for Sulphur Springs, Texas
Organizers of the 2018 Shadow Renaissance Festival are over the top about the array of activities and attractions they will be bringing to the Hopkins County Civic Center complex on July 27-29. Featuring not only professionals jousting demonstrations, there will also be acts like a Falconer group with Birds of Prey, a flame performing troupe and a belly dancer troupe, the Pirate Magician, Ron Deeny Escape Artist and The Blacksmith Ogre. Other attractions will include a Dragon’s Lair with axe throwing and sword fighting, and the visiting Scottish Court of Scarborough Fair. Also on the grounds, local ATA members will host a Battle Ring with foam sword fighting activities for kids. The festival will cover the arena and outdoor grounds. The first day, Friday July 27 has free admission for the public. Tickets are on sale now for Saturday and Sunday indoor Jousting games and Nobleman’s Feast and professional outdoor attractions. Saturday and Sunday tickets are reasonably priced for all ages and range from $10 to $50. The $50 VIP tickets include Noblemen’s Feast, Jousting Games and all-day access to all the attractions. Advance sales on VIP tickets end July 22. Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce, at One Stop Sign Shop and at shadowrenfest.com Additionally, advance tickets can be purchased on Friday July 13 at BackStory Brewery and on Saturday July 14 on Celebration Plaza.
Marion Cox, co-Director at Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center, knows that Renaissance Fairs are very popular through the Springs and Fall seasons in Texas, but are not typically held in the summer. She says that sponsor donations are entirely funding this major event for the community, and that is why they are passing along the free day on Friday and discounted admission for the rest of the weekend. Proceeds from ticket sales will be used for operating expenses, expansion and the Literacy program introduced in 2017. Shadow Ranch is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of kids and adults with disabilities and/or debilitating situations in their lives and to make a positive difference in the lives of our staff, volunteers and community. Find out more about the riding center on Facebook or shadowranchtrc.blogspot.com
CANHelp Plans Back to School Fair for All Hopkins County Students, Families
The 2nd annual Back to School Fair for all Hopkins County students and families is set for Friday August 10, 2018 inside the Hopkins County Civic Center. Between 3 pm and 6 pm, in addition to distribution of backpacks and school supplies, there will be free food and drinks, entertainment, school physicals and vision checkups and haircuts. There will be play activities outside for kids too. There will also be free health screenings for all ages. Booths space is available for any organization to display information to the youth population of Hopkins County. Booth space is free, but deadline to reserve space is July 23. The annual free event is put on by CANHelp and participating sponsors.
CANHelp Director Shanna Martin says that for several years, a local Pack the Bus Drive for school supplies was held, but that event morphed two years ago into this fun fair which also covers the same needs…providing backpacks and school supplies for Hopkins County students in need.
If you are the parent of a student in need of a back pack or school supplies, apply now at CANHelp. Qualifying families will have packets reserved for them at the Back to School Fair on August 10.
If you would like to help provide school supplies, help is needed. You can donate school supplies, you can donate as little as $20 to pay for one packet, or you can donate any amount you like. Individual, business and corporate sponsorships are needed. Contact CANHelp at 903-885-9797, stop by the 613 Gilmer Street offices, or check the CANHelp FAcebook page for more information.
Shanna Martin, Executive Director of CANHelp in Sulphur Springs, Texas
Corrected: Local Man Arrested for Marijuana and Ecstasy Possession
With window tint darker than the legal limit, a 2008 Lincoln Towncar was stopped by Sulphur Springs Police. However, the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and warrants for the arrest of the driver led to more than just a traffic ticket.
In the vehicle the officer located marijuana and, according to Lt. Mark Estes with the Sulphur Springs Police Department, Ecstasy (MDMD) at a Felony 3 level. Kwadarius Sharard Timmons, 26, of Sulphur Springs was arrested on the two warrants for Fail to Maintain Financial Responsibility and for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams, a Felony 3.
