Lady Lions Lose Close Game at Yantis
The Saltillo Lady Lions’ softball team lost a close game at Yantis on Tuesday (April 3).
Trailing 4-0 going into the top of the sixth inning, the Lady Lions scored twice to cut the deficit in half. Unfortunately that was as close as they could come losing, 4-2. Chandler Bain pitched for the Lady Lions and she struck out ten Lady Owls. For the Lady Lions, Jordan Sustaire was 2 for 3 with two singles. Christi Gurley was 1 for 2 with a walk and a single. Madison Simmons, Bain, Paisley Kastner, Josey Bench and Shelby Matlock were all 1 for 3 with a single.
The Lady Lions play next at Rivercrest on Saturday.
District Game Day: Track, Tennis
District competition gets underway on this Tuesday (April 4) for Wildcats and Lady Cats’ track athletes and for Wildcats’ tennis players. District track is taking place Wednesday and Thursday at Pine Tree while district tennis is going on in Wednesday and Thursday in Texarkana.
Track athletes will be hoping for good enough performances to qualify for the Area tournament on April 19 again at Pine Tree. Wildcats Track Coach Matt Young is interested in seeing how his team members perform against the district’s competition. Lady Cats Coach Triston Abron wants to successfully defend the district championship his team won last year.
In tennis, Wildcats players will be attempting to qualify for the regional tournament. No Wildcats’ player has qualified in a decade or so. Coach Tony Martinez has high hopes for his top singles player, Alex Benitez, a #2 seed in the district tournament. Coach Martinez is also excited about some of his doubles teams.
April is National Distracted Driving Month
AUSTIN – April is National Distracted Driving Month and with nearly 1 in 5 crashes in Texas involving distracted driving – a ratio that has not changed in the past three years – the Texas Department of Transportation reminds drivers that their undivided attention to the road could save a life.
“It’s extremely concerning that drivers still choose to give their attention to things other than the road when they’re behind the wheel,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “As a society, we’re more connected than ever to our devices and easily tempted to multitask, but drivers need to understand all of these various distractions can lead to a tragic outcome.”
In 2017, 19 percent of vehicle crashes on Texas roads involved distracted driving. Those 100,687 crashes resulted in 444 deaths and 2,889 serious injuries. In an effort to curb distracted-driving crashes, TxDOT is launching its new “Heads up, Texas” campaign in partnership with AT&T It Can Wait. The centerpiece of the campaign is a 19-city, distracted-driving virtual reality experience launching in Waco on April 4.
According to AT&T It Can Wait, the majority of Texans ages 15-54 admit to driving distracted because of their smartphone. Additionally, nearly all Texans surveyed consider smartphone distractions to be dangerous while driving, but nearly 9 out of 10, or 89 percent, admit they do it.
“The It Can Wait campaign shares a simple message: Distracted driving is never OK,” said Ryan Luckey, assistant vice president of Corporate Brand Marketing for AT&T. “We’re proud to join TxDOT in sharing that message with Texans through revealing survey data and events that highlight the dangers and the new law.”
Effective Sept. 1, 2017, a texting-while-driving ban was written into law making it illegal to read, write or send a text while driving in Texas. Violators can face a fine up to $200. Though texting while driving is now punishable by law, it’s not the only smartphone activity putting Texas drivers and passengers at risk. Among those Texans surveyed by AT&T It Can Wait, the top 5 smartphone distractions while driving are:
- Texting
- Snapping/viewing photos
- Playing music
- Emailing
- Accessing social media
Miles Sentenced In Two Separate Indictments of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Case
In a sentencing hearing in Eighth Judicial District Court Tuesday, April 3, 2018, Casey Gween Miles was sentenced to two (2) 25 year sentences to run concurrent and will have to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. Miles will have to serve 12.5 years before being eligible for parole due to these aggravated offenses.
According to Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris, Miles, 23, of Sulphur Springs, pled guilty to two separate indictments for the First Degree Felony offenses of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child on March 8, 2018. There was no plea agreement between the State and the defendant, and the Court was to decide punishment. During the plea hearing on March 8th, Mr. Miles also admitted his guilt in six (6) cases of Sexual Assault of a Child, one (1) case of Continuous Sexual Abuse of Children under 14 Years of Age, and one (1) case of Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1. Because Mr. Miles admitted his guilt in these cases, they were dismissed and the Court took notice of them and considered his admissions when it decided the sentence in the two remaining first degree felony cases.
Harris called three live witnesses, and the Court also had an opportunity to review witness interviews, police reports, forensic reports from the defendant’s cell phone, and a social and mental health history of the defendant. Harris was able to outline for the Court an approximately 10-year history of inappropriate and/or illegal sexual conduct with much younger boys by Mr. Miles, beginning when he was 12 or 13. The defendant’s attorney, Frank Hughes, was able to prove that the defendant had been sexually abused as a child, came from a broken home, had endured a tragic life, and had mental health issues.
Harris said based on his belief that Miles is a high risk to re-offend, he requested that the Court sentence the defendant to the maximum (life in prison) and cumulate each sentence. Mr. Hughes argued for a lenient sentence, including probation, based on the defendant’s circumstances.
Harris said, “Based on the totality of the circumstances, I believe this to be a fair and just sentence.”
Learn to Cook Dutch Oven Style at Heritage Park’s Annual Outdoor Class
During his lifetime, Johnny “Buffalo” Chester put some new-found excitement into the age-old practice of Dutch Oven cooking for his friends in Hopkins County. He frequently held gatherings and cooked at events which attracted large crowds. During the Hopkins County Stew Contest, his pioneer-themed campsites were among the favorites to visit. Starting in the Spring of 2002, his friend Rick Wilson began teaching a cooking class in the memory of John Chester inside beautiful Heritage Park. Later, Rick organized a Dutch Oven Cooking Contest which is held during the Fall of each year. Any age and any skill level can join in these annual events. Cost for the Saturday April 14 cooking class is $15 person, and all ingredients and supplies are furnished. Phone Rick Wilson to enter, 903-335 2752. Let’s find out more about Dutch Oven cooking from an interview with Rick Wilson on the KSST Good Morning Show.
Dutch ovens are cast iron cooking vessels that can have an extremely long lifetime, if handled properly. These range in size from small skillets to large covered ovens to stew pots. Dutch ovens sizes generally range from 10-inch to 16-inch in diameter sizes, and come with a heavy fitted lid that makes it ideal for oven-like cooking over a wood or coal fire. Although there are dutch ovens for indoor cooking, most of the outdoor variety have short legs that keep the pot somewhat elevated from the heat source. Depending on the heat the oven is exposed to, you can bake, fry or roast most anything inside it, from delicate breads and desserts to bacon and eggs to meats and main dishes. Like John Chester, most Dutch oven cooks find pleasure in preparing and sharing their food hobby with others. And it’s something that even beginners can find delicious success in doing.
For a brief background, Dutch oven cooking is nothing new as Dutch ovens have been around for thousands of years. The earliest Dutch ovens were likely clay pots with lids that were buried with hot coals in much the same way that some people use Dutch ovens today when making long, slow cook recipes. In colonial times, the Dutch oven was a prized family heirloom. During that time it was against the law to produce iron in the colonies. Dutch ovens and all other metal goods had to be imported from England and were quite expensive. As a result cast iron cooking utensils such as Dutch ovens were often passed down from one generation to the next. As our nation expanded, the Dutch oven followed settlers westward and became the standard for “cowboy cooking”, fueling the pioneers that tamed the west.
The Dutch oven along with other cast iron cookware fell out of favor after the 1940’s as newer, lighter materials and engineered non-stick coatings replaced cast iron for use in the manufacture of cookware. Fortunately, cast iron cooking appears to be making a comeback as people rediscover the Dutch oven and the great meals that can be prepared using cast iron cookware.
Suspicious Activity Leads to Arrest of County Resident
A Hopkins County Deputy responding to a person acting suspiciously on County Road 4649 where contact was made with Matthew Scott Munden, 30, of Sulphur Springs. When the deputy noted an open container in the center console, Munden said he knew better and that he did not have his driver’s license with him. That was just the beginning.
Matthew Scott Munden
Munden was asked to pour out the alcoholic beverage and when he opened the door to do so, the deputy noted a loaded syringe and metal container in the driver’s side door. In the syringe and the plastic baggie in the metal container was a total of 1.01-grams of a controlled substance.
Munden 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 being held on a $30,000 bond.
Local Man Arrested for Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child, a Felony 1
Quentin Michion Lipscomb, 49, Sulphur Springs was arrested on a warrant for Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Child or Children, a Felony 1, at his apartment on Church Street Tuesday evening at 9:28 p.m.
Sulphur Springs Police were contacted March 30th regarding the continuous sexual abuse. The victim was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center in Winnsboro and a probable cause finding led to an arrest warrant issued by Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings, according to SSPD Investigator David Gilmore.
The charge of Continuous Sexual Abuse carries a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison if Lipscomb is found guilty.
Lipscomb is in Hopkins County Jail held on a $200,000 bond.
Arrest of Local Man Solves Multiple Burglaries of Motor Vehicles
An arrest Tuesday afternoon around 5:43 p.m. cleared a number of burglaries of motor vehicles in the Helm Lane Addition according to the Special Crimes Unit. The burglaries occurred during the month of March. Due to the number and frequency, the Special Crimes Unit was asked to assist Sulphur Springs patrol in the investigation.
Jeremy Randall Hill, 27, of Sulphur Springs was arrested on Bill Bradford Road for a Parole Violation but during questioning he confessed to four of the motor vehicle robberies and stated he didn’t remember any more. Hill confessed to roaming the streets at night and pulling on car door handles to determine if the vehicle was locked or not. He told investigators that he only took money and nothing else from the vehicles. Video surveillance at several residences enabled investigators to identify Hill. Warrants are being issued of each burglary and a separate warrant for theft will also be served on Hill.
When Hill was arrested, he was also found to have 2oz of Marijuana in his possession.
Hill is currently in Hopkins County Jail held on the Parole Violation and for Possession of Marijuana. Warrants for the theft and burglaries of motor vehicles will be served him in jail, according to authorities.
Wildcat Tennis District Tournament Wednesday and Thursday
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez scheduled seven tournaments to get his team ready for the district tournament that takes place Wednesday and Thursday in Texarkana.
Several weeks ago, Coach Martinez had to make an adjustment when a member of his top boys doubles team, Jonah Kirkpatrick, suffered an injury. His doubles partner, Alex Benitez, has been focusing on singles matches during the past few tournaments and he has had some success according to Coach Martinez. Benitez is seeded #2 in the district tournament. Meanwhile Coach Martinez matched up Kirkpatrick with Jasmine Cruz in mixed doubles for the district tournament. Coach Martinez thinks that singles player Chase Crouch may well be a dark horse at the district tournament.
Coach Martinez says he is looking forward to watching some of his young players participate in the district tournament. He is hoping for success from the boys doubles team of Aaron Lucas and Michael McCord and from Logan Schumacher and Jordan Gonzales.
Panthers Shutout Lions
Two North Hopkins’ pitchers threw a shutout against Saltillo in the Panthers’ 18-0 victory in Saltillo Tuesday. Caleb Wyatt and Colby Cameron pitched for North Hopkins.
Wyatt, the winning pitcher, went three innings and allowed only two hits. He struck out seven. Cameron pitched the final two innings allowing no hits while striking out four. Matthew Gurley took the loss for Saltillo. Michael Simmons also pitched for the Lions.
The Panthers broke a scoreless tie in the top of the second inning with a ten run inning. The Panthers added a run in the third, two more runs in the fourth and five more tallies in the fifth. The Panthers had ten hits. Wyatt was 2 for 5 with two runs scored and RBI and a double. Chase Williams was 2 for 3 with four runs scored and two RBIs. Brycen Gillespie was 1 for 1 with a run scored, two RBIs and a double. Geoffrey Stewart drove home two runs.
The Lions managed only two hits. Ben Moore and Edi Olayo had singles for Saltillo.
