Updated: Local Insurance Agent Arrested for Theft; Fake Auto Insurance Cards Issued; Manufactured Home Insurance
HOOTEN,KRISTI LYNN
At 6:41 a.m. Wednesday, November 08, 2017, Kristi Lynn Hooten, 40, of Sulphur Springs, was arrested for theft of property. Her arrest followed a lengthy investigation by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Hooten, an insurance agent who operated Connect Insurance Agency, 101 Bill Bradford Road, was selling insurance, creating fake auto insurance cards but is not providing the auto insurance coverage. She had been keeping the insurance premiums for herself.
According to Investigator Wade Sheets with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office, a local resident needed to file an insurance claim and after being “given the run around”, reported the lack of success to the Sheriff’s office. It was found that Hooten used legitimate companies and policy numbers that looked normal to scam customers. Sheets said the insurance cards looked like a typical auto insurance card. He noted that if the fake insurance card was to be verified by law enforcement during a traffic stop, it would have returned “verify manually” which would tell the officer it was not on file with the state. However, the officer would verify by a look at the insurance card and it would have been accepted due to the “perfect copy” of a typical card.
Additional information is surfacing in this story. In an email from a ksstradio.com reader, “My parents were scammed by her and it was manufactured home insurance policy she sold to them. Their house burned down last year 3 days before Christmas in Dike, Tx and it was then that a claim needed to be filed since there was still $53,000 left on the mortgage. Since my parents got a new home, they have been paying two mortgages because of this scam by Mrs. Hooten. I hope everyone who bought a policy from her contacts the Detective to make sure they have coverage.”
Connect Insurance Agency, 101 Bill Bradford Road is now closed. The investigation is on-going and anyone who purchased insurance from Hooten and Connect Insurance Agency should contact Investigator Wade Sheets on his direct line 903-558-0027. Sheets said she did not scam everyone but there are those who may be affected and not know it.
Hooten was charged with Theft of Property more than $2500 but less than $30,000, a State Jail Felony. However more charges could be added as the investigation
Wildcat Football Coordinators Weekly Review
Wildcats Offense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said his offense did a good job of executing Friday night in a 21-7 victory over Greenville. He said meanwhile the emphasis would continue to be on hanging onto the ball. Coach Young said he was proud of the offense. He was especially pleased that the offense was able to burn the last 6:03 off the clock using the offensive line and running backs. Coach Young praised the effort of offensive linemen Jesus Olivo and Ethan Rogers, running backs Colton Allen and Searn Rodgers, B backs Logan Caton and Jermond Bryant-Amos and quarterback Ryan Humphries. He said wide receivers Landry Tyson and Simeon Taylor did a good job of blocking. The Wildcats play at Hallsville Friday night and Coach Young said it always seems to come down to the Wildcats and Bobcats playing at the end of the season in games that have a lot on the line. He said there was a new coaching staff in Hallsville but he said it was the same Hallsville. Coach Young said they were physical, extremely well coached and ones that play hard and run to the ball. He said they have a good sized defensive line, linebackers that are undersized but who play fast, with guys in the back who can make plays. Coach Young said they blitzed a lot against Texas High last week.
Wildcats Defense
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron said the Wildcats’ defense played its most complete game of the season in Friday night’s 21-7 win over Greenville. He said the defense was dominant throughout the night. Coach Abron said the defense played really great and really hard and forced turnovers. During a team awards session Monday, Coach Abron said the entire defensive line of D’Idrec Dugan, Calvin Eckert and Jose Rodriguez earned prime time player awards. He said subs Evan Rushing and Michael Arrington also did a really good job. Coach Abron had praise for outside linebacker Kylan Wade, game leading tackler inside linebacker K.J. Abron, inside linebacker Jaxon Reneau, outside linebacker Cason Churchman, cornerbacks Terrell Turman and Day Day Dugan and safeties Austin Dodd, Sebastian Adams and Jase Thompson. Coach Abron also commented on Friday night’s foe, Hallsville. He called them the best 1-8 team he’s ever seen. Coach Abron said something seems to always go wrong for the Bobcats to keep them from winning. He said they move the ball and score points. Hallsville scored 35 against Texas High last Friday. Coach Abron said he is impressed with Hallsville’s extremely athletic quarterback and an extremely athletic running back. He said the Wildcats would need to play sound defense and be great tacklers.
Hopkins County 2017 Veterans Day Ceremony
Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County Texas will honor veterans Saturday, November 11, 2017, at 11:00am at Celebration Plaza in downtown Sulphur Springs. All veterans, their families and the community are invited to attend. The ceremony will include dedicating a new bench to honor those of have served to fight the global war on terrorism. The Honorable Robert Newson, Hopkins County Judge, will dedicate the bench and it will serve as an important addition to the Veterans Memorial at Celebration Plaza. In addition, names of deceased veterans will be read, the Hopkins County Military Coalition will perform a 21 Round Volley, Sulphur Springs High School Jazz Band will perform patriotic music and members and the SSHS choir will sing the National Anthem and Armed Forces Medley. Mr. Jim Dial will play Amazing Grace on bagpipe, and the United States Flag will be honored. The Honorable John Sellers, Sulphur Spring Mayor, will officially welcome everyone at the beginning of the ceremony.
SSHS UIL Athletic Appeal Hearing Postponed
A UIL appeal hearing concerning the eligibility of a Sulphur Springs basketball athlete scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed. School Superintendent Michael Lamb told KSST’s Jim Rogers that the hearing was postponed because Lamb won’t be able to attend because of back problems. The State Executive Committee of the UIL is meeting in Pflugerville Wednesday to determine the eligibility of several student athletes. Six hearings remain on the agenda.
The Sulphur Springs case, which was to have been at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, concerns the appeal of a District 16-5A Executive Committee hearing regarding the eligibility of a Sulphur Springs student athlete. At issue is an allegation of changing schools for athletic purposes. Again the Sulphur Springs’ athlete’s hearing on the Wednesday UIL agenda has been postponed according to Superintendent Michael Lamb.
Game Day: Golf at Garden Valley; Wildcats Basketball Scrimmage at Mesquite Poteet
There is golf and a scrimmage on this Tuesday (November 7) game day. The Wildcats’ basketball team will be playing their second and final scrimmage at Mesquite Poteet starting at around 5 p.m. It will be structured mostly like a real game with regular length quarters. Young players will have one more chance to impress Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta. The Wildcats will be opening the regular season Saturday in the Cowtown Showdown. The Wildcats will be playing a ranked Class 6A team, Arlington Bowie starting at 12:30 p.m. at North Crowley.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ golf team is playing at their second and last tournament of the fall. The Wildcats are at Garden Valley in Lindale. The team competed at Mount Pleasant Country Club last week. After today, the players will continue to work on their games in anticipation of the spring golf season.
There is golf and a scrimmage on this Tuesday (November 7) game day. The Wildcats’ basketball team will be playing their second and final scrimmage at Mesquite Poteet starting at around 5 p.m. It will be structured mostly like a real game with regular length quarters. Young players will have one more chance to impress Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta. The Wildcats will be opening the regular season Saturday in the Cowtown Showdown. The Wildcats will be playing a ranked Class 6A team, Arlington Bowie starting at 12:30 p.m. at North Crowley.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ golf team is playing at their second and last tournament of the fall. The Wildcats are at Garden Valley in Lindale. The team competed at Mount Pleasant Country Club last week. After today, the players will continue to work on their games in anticipation of the spring golf season.
Two Events Planned at Wesley United Methodist Church During November
In a visit from Music and Youth minister Joe Clark of Wesley United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs, KSST learned of two public events planned by Pastor Steve Cook and the congregation which everyone is invited to attend, in addition to Sunday morning worship services. The church location is 614 Texas Street and the office phone is 903-885-3383.
On Saturday November 11, a free concert in the Wesley Sanctuary will begin at 6pm by East Texas gospel artist Miles Pike. Miles tours nationally and internationally, preaching and performing original country-gospel songs for small and large audiences. Although he was born partially blind, he was greatly blessed with a five-octave vocal range and natural musical abilities. He has had five of his songs climb to #1 on the Country Gospel charts including “Don’t Unpack Your Bags” which is currently ranked #7. You will meet Miles and his wife Martha and have the opportunity to take some of his music home with you following the free concert.
Fall Roundup is a welcome Autumn tradition at Wesley United Methodist Church. It is set for Saturday November 18, one week before Thanksgiving. Starting at 5pm, there will be Hopkins County stew and chili cooked in pots outdoors and served with the traditional sides. Cost per ticket is $6 per adult, $4 for children age 10 and under, and children age 5 and under eat free. Some of the local award-winning Stew contest cooks you know got their start on a Fall Roundup cooking team. There will also be world-famous homemade desserts to go with your meal, prepared by the ladies of the church. A silent auction and country store will be going on through the afternoon and evening. A large live auction will begin at 7pm, which is the major fundraiser for projects and missions through the year for Wesley United Methodist Church.
Saturday is First Day to File For 2018 Election; Republicans Set Public Sign Up Event
Thinking about running for a local political office as a Republican? The Republican Party of Hopkins County will hold a public sign up at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the District Court Room on Second floor of The Court House in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Local offices on the 2018 biennial election ballot will be District Clerk, County Judge, County Treasurer, County Clerk, both Justices of the Peace, County Court at Law Judge, County Commissioners for Precinct 2 and 4.
Saturday is the first day to file for public office with Monday, December 11 the final date to file. The Primary Election is set for Tuesday, March 6, 2018 and, if needed, the run-off date is Tuesday May 22. November 6, 2018 is Election Day with early voting beginning October 22.
According to Donnie Wisenbaker, Chairman of the Hopkins County Republican Party, anyone who desires to run for a public or party office should bring their application form and submit it to the County Chairman.
Texas State Senate District 2, currently held by Bob Hall, Texas House of Representative District 2 Dan Flynn, will also be on the ballot but they will file in Austin.
Response of TSAFF to Department of Public Safety Decision Not a Surprise to City Manager
City Manager Marc Maxwell said he is not surprised by the response of The Texas State Association of Fire Fighters (TSAFF) to the consolidating of management of the Sulphur Springs Police Department and the city Fire Department. Maxwell noted that the TSAFF is made up of current and retired firefighters and serves to hear and support grievances filed by the members. The organization did not contact Maxwell prior to Monday to question the validity of the concerns expressed.
Monday, the union urged the City of Sulphur Springs to publicly disclose its plans for the fire department and to allow public comment before finalizing them. In a letter sent to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell, TSAFF President John Riddle said, “Our Association and firefighters throughout Texas are deeply concerned about developments regarding the fire service in Sulphur Springs. TSAFF urges the city to delay any vote on a merger of and/or reorganization involving the fire department until such time that local, state and national firefighting experts and Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County citizens can comment on any proposals.
jay sanders
Maxwell stated the he anticipates the council will follow through in naming Police Chief Jay Sanders as Director of Public Safety for the city during their November 7th, Tuesday night meeting. The decision is based on studies of other cities that have adopted the same management style.
Readers! A Multi-Author Book Signing Planned at Bookworm Box Nov. 18 in Sulphur Springs
Colleen Hoover, best-selling author and owner of the Bookworm Box in Sulphur Springs, Texas is hosting a multi-author book signing during November for the published authors from the TAMU-Commerce Silver Leos Writers’ Guild. Several of the authors are local and all of them are from the East Texas area including Yantis, Campbell, Commerce, Greenville and Sulphur Springs
The book-signing event is set for Saturday November 18th from 1pm until 4pm in downtown Sulphur Springs at Colleen’s writer headquarters, the Bookworm Box at 206 Main Street. A number of genres will be represented including western novels, mysteries, floral photography, travel stories, memoirs, romance and children’s literature, and the authors will be there to meet the public and to sign books purchased that day.
Authors invited to the book signing event include:
Vickie & Sammy Griffis
Avon Acker
Gene Shelton
Bosie Bosworth
Brian Dowsley
Mary Jane Vance
Majel Redick
Bobbie Purdy
Johnny Hayre
Sharon Feldt
Here’s further information about some of the authors.
Gene Shelton, journalist and creative writing teacher, has published 26 novels, many about ranching and cowboying in the American West. He currently lives in Sulphur Springs with his wife of 50-plus years, Barbara Shelton. He continues to write short stories and novels today.
Sharon Feldt’s children’s book “The Scary Hair of Sarah O’Shea” won the Grand Prize over all genres and submitted entries nationally in the 2017 Red City Review Book Awards during October. The honor also featured her character Sarah O’Shea on the cover of the Red City Review magazine. At the Sulphur Springs book signing, you can view the award and purchase Feldt’s original book as well as it’s sequel, “Sarah O’Shea and the Wacky Faucet”. Sharon and her husband John live in Sulphur Springs.
Brian Dowsley, a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, began publishing after retirement from his Navy career in 2007. His works in fiction and non-fiction include “Biker Gourmet”, Rolling Thunder” and Expanding Horizons”.
Avon Acker, a Hopkins County native now retired and living in Greenville, Texas, has authored a series of books portraying the East Texas people and lifestyles he grew up around. Although his lengthy career in high-tech airborne electronics sent him to assignments all over the world, he never forgotten his roots in East Texas.
Dr. Mary Jane Vance of Greenville employs her own life experiences and those of her forbears to blend historical fact with a treasure of memories to create fascinating, riveting stories for today’s readers. Her non-fiction works include Mary of the Angels, Darkness to Light:From the Heart, and Flashes Forever.
Majel Reddick of Sulphur Springs retired from a 40-year business career and though becoming legally blind and hearing impaired, began to write poems and short stories with characters created from people she had been impressed with through her life. Her fiction books include “From the Porch”, published in 2011, and “Whimsy”.
From her youth on a Fannin County farm to a life-long love of animals, Bobbie Fleming Purdy of Commerce has produced “Othello:Memoirs of a Black Cat”, published in 2013, in addition to memoirs and short stories.
