Date Set for Acker Execution
September 27, 2018 has been set as the date for the execution of Daniel Clate Acker, 46, of Sulphur Springs. The order will be hand delivered to TDCJ Wednesday, May 9th.
Acker is on Death Row in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice convicted of the kidnapping and the murder of 32-year old Marquetta “Markie” George. Acker, a native of Hunt County, was 29 at the time of his conviction. Acker’s made appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court. However, in April, the court upheld the 2001 ruling of the Hopkins County Eight Judicial District Court. County Judge Robert Newsom was the District Judge who presided during the trial. Local attorney Frank Long was the District Attorney.
Acker and George were living together in a trailer in Hopkins County when an argument began between the two at Bustin’ Loose, a nightclub located outside the city limits of Sulphur Springs at that time. Acker left the club but returned later and could not locate George. She arrived at their trailer the next morning in the company of a bouncer from the club. Neighbors testified that Acker forced George into his vehicle. Acker says that George jumped from his vehicle causing her death. Criminal Investigators from the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office said she was dead when pushed from the vehicle.
Acker was no stranger to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prior to his Capital Murder Conviction. He was received in TDCJ in May, 1993 on a ten year sentence for Burglary of a Habitation in Delta County. Released on parole in October of 1995, he returned in April of 1997 without a new conviction. He was released on Mandatory Supervision in September 1999. He was accused of the murder of George in March, 2000.
7-on-7 Season Begins Tuesday at SSHS Multipurpose Building
The Wildcats’ football 7 on 7 team begins its’ season Tuesday (May 8) at the Multipurpose Building. Gilmer is coming to town. The 7 on 7 action is expected to start at around 5:30 p.m.
The Wildcats will have seventh grade, eighth grade, JV and Varsity 7 on 7 teams. Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Matt Young estimates the Wildcats may have as many as 100 athletes participating.
Commerce and Rains are expected to bring teams to town for 7 on 7 contests next week.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Students Prepare for Graduation
GRADUATION TIME PJC-Sulphur Springs Center student Matt Fogus is trying on his cap and gown, with the help of English Instructor Ken Haley, in preparation for participating in graduation ceremonies that will be held Friday in Noyse Stadium in Paris. Fogus has completed certification in welding and will receive his Certificate of Completion when he walks the stage.
NETBIO Sale Set for May 16
The Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization will hold its next pre-conditioned calf and yearling sale on Wednesday, May 16.
Nearly 7,000 head of cattle that have been raised through the NETBIO pre-conditioning program have been consigned to the sale.
The sale, held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Market, will begin at 1 p.m. The cafe will be open and the cattle will be penned for viewing, so come out early and make a day of it.
This auction will be broadcast on the Internet and the Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction will be accepting bids at LMA Auctions.com. Internet buyers should register in advance in order to bid.
For more information on these sales, call the Sulphur Springs Livestock office at 903-885-2455 or visit their Web Site at www.sslivestockauctions.com.
Went to J P court to Pay Traffic Ticket; Arrested on Criminally Negligent Homicide Indictment Warrant
When Kylee Ray Morris, 32, of Quinlan, planned to set up arrangements to pay a traffic fine in Hopkins County Justice of the Peace Court, he found other arrangements waiting. Morris is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide. The charge is based on an indictment in the Eighth Judicial Court. When he called to make arrangements for the ticket, the clerk found the indictment warrant.
When Morris arrived at the JP office on Jefferson Street, Constable Norman Colyer placed him in custody and transported him to jail. The indictment is based on Morris driving at excessive speed and causing the death of Ricky Littlejohn. The accident occurred last September near the Rains County line on State Highway 19S. where three autos were stopped at a highway construction site. The truck driven by Morris struck the auto in which Littlejohn was a passenger. The DPS investigation showed there should have been enough distance for Morris to stop at the proper speed.
Hamburger Cookout Benefits Heritage Christian Counseling Center
Proceeds from a Friday, May 11th Hamburger Cookout will benefit Heritage Christian Counseling Center. The event at 11 a.m. Friday will be conducted on the parking lot at First United Methodist Church between CNB and Alliance Bank. You may pre-order a hamburger, chips, drink and a dessert before May 10th. Forgot to pre-order? Just bring $5 and enjoy.
Como-Pickton FFA Members Chosen as Foundation Ambassadors During 90th annual Convention
Texas FFA Foundation Ambassadors Kobie Miller, Chloe Romero and Sydnee Neal
According to Chanda Neal, Agriculture teacher for the Como-Pickton FFA Chapter, three members of the chapter were selected as Foundation Ambassadors for the annual FFA Convention in Ft Worth.
Como – Kobie Miller, Sydnee Neal, and Chloe Romero of the Como-Pickton FFA Chapter have been selected to serve as Texas FFA Foundation Ambassadors at the 90th Annual Texas FFA Convention held July 9-13 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Miller, Neal, and Romero are three of 63 FFA members chosen to participate in the Foundation Ambassador program. The Foundation Ambassadors serve as official liaisons to sponsors, special guests and dignitaries on behalf of the Texas FFA during the annual Texas FFA Convention.
Miller, Neal, and Romero applied through a competitive application process, and will participate in an extensive two-day training specifically focusing on donor relations, personal skills development and professional networking.
At the 90th Annual Texas FFA Convention, members of the agricultural youth leadership organization will spend the week attending leadership workshops, participating in activities, and serving as the legislative body for the Texas FFA Association.
The Texas FFA has evolved from an organization focusing primarily on production agriculture, to a broader-based organization which addresses the needs and interests of students in urban and suburban schools in addition to the rural communities from which FFA rose in 1929. The organization is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Hunt Receives 30 Years in Aggravated Sexual Assault of Child Plea
Ricky Lynn Hunt, 39, was sentenced to 30 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Monday following a plea bargan agreement in Eighth Judicial District Court. Hunt pled to Aggravated Sexaul Assault of a Child. Hunt, age 38 at the time of the investigation, admitted to Hopkins County investigators that he engaged in sexual acts with a seven year old female child from November 2017 through January 2018.
He has no significant criminal history, but some prior arrests for unlawfully carrying a weapon and violating a protective order.
