Hopkins County Man Arrested for Cruelty to Animals
Thursday night around 11 p.m., Hopkins County Deputies were called to 1850 CR 4592 where they found malnourished dogs in a cage on the side of the road. In the cage were five puppies alive and one dead.
The puppies appeared malnourished with hip bones and ribs visible through the skin and the puppies were crying. No food in the cage and only green colored water caused the deputies to obtain a seizure warrant. The dead puppy appeared to have been eaten by the other puppies for food.
Cody Ray Self, 44, the resident at the location was arrested, given Miranda Warning, and then admitted the puppies were his. He signed a copy of the seizure warrant. Self is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals: Fail to Provide
Officers seized the puppies and transported them to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Friday morning, the SPCA received the puppies into care.
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
By Jan Vaughn
The Tira Homecoming is coming up on Sunday, July 2nd. Make plans to come enjoy the program at 11:00 in the Tira Methodist Church, followed by a covered dish lunch at the picnic tables on the grounds.
Brad, Tanya, Matthew, Tonja, and Will joined William and Joyce Dodd for Fathers Day lunch on Sunday. Rob visited later in the day and Michael called from Richardson to wish William a Happy Father’s Day.
Tiffany, Jaidyn, and I went to Sour Lake on Saturday and picked up Dixie to come spend a week with Landon, Laiken, and the boys. Chip attended the skeet shoot at Chuck and Karen Olmsted’s that day. Chip, Tiffany, and I attended the Dairy Festival Pageant in Sulphur Springs that night. Tiffany had lunch with us for Father’s Day, and then she and I went to DFW airport to pick up Morgan, upon his return from Air Force ROTC training in Alabama and Mississippi. When we returned, Malcolm and Jaidyn joined us for a snack supper and cake, in honor of Morgan’s birthday, which was on June 2nd, while he was gone.
Minnie Hillis Reagor shared the following report on the Hillis Family Reunion.
The 2017 Hillis Family Reunion was held at Tira Community Center June 17th and 18th. Eighty-three Hillis connections came from near and far this year… Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, California, Oregon, and Florida.
Alvin E. Hillis cooked up a big batch of Chicken Stew in his big iron pot over his A-Frame. It made for a delicious Saturday evening supper!
There were several ticket drawings, several of which Theresa Marlow McGregor made 6 Crochet Scarves and 2 Baby Blankets, and donated. Those who won the drawings were: Laigen Hillis [Home/Our Family Plaque], Savannah Chalk [Family Forever Plaque], Sampson Stembridge [WiFi Coozie], Neva Yarbrough [Family Mug], Sarah Hillis [Family Mug], Judy Hillis [Family Mug], Iva Haren [Yellow Baby Blanket], Hunter [Blue Baby Blanket], Dana Wilson-Martinez [Blue Scarf], Natalie Hillis [Purple Scarf], Dorothy Shields [Purple Scarf], Theresa McGregor [Green Scarf], Terri Hillis [Red/White/Blue Scarf], and Laigen Hillis [Maroon Scarf].
Joe Self also came by and gave rides in his mule drawn wagon to those who were interested. Many thanks to Joe for making this a reunion many of the younger ones (and older ones, too!) will remember for a long time!
Those in attendance were: Minnie P. Hillis Reagor, Ryan W. Reagor, and Dustin W. Halbert of Vidor, Texas; Hayley R. Halbert and Sampson J. Stembridge of Bridge City, Texas; Johney W. Hillis, Dorthy Goodson Hillis, Jackey L. Ferrell, Vicki L. Hillis Ferrell, Kortni Ferrell, and Kaden Ferrell of Tira, Texas; Winona R. Hillis Yates, Albert Bass, Hillis Bass, David Bass, Khristy M. Hillis Santjer, Alvin E. Hillis, Sarah Daniels Hillis, Sierra C. Hillis, Dakota W. Hillis, Skylin B. Stonaker, Crystal Crocker Romero, Garry Hutchison, Zoe Hutchison, and Joe Ayden of Sulphur Springs, Texas; Troy A. Hillis of Trinidad, Texas; Clarence “Chip” & Paulette Hillis of Harrison, Arkansas; Jose Martinez, Cheryl A. Wilson, Dana Wilson-Martinez, Lana Wilson-Martinez, Hunter and Lee, of Greenville, Texas; David E. Marlow, Sherry Keener Marlow of Naples, Texas; Tommy E. Hillis, Terri Rowe Hillis, and Natalie C. Hillis of Ingleside, Texas; Blaine R. Gibson, Elizabeth N. Hillis Gibson, Klaire A. Gibson, and Cade L. Gibson of Magnolia, Texas; Joe R. Hillis Sr. and Velma Jane Vincent of Cresswell, Oregon; Cynthia G. Hopson Sadler of Gladewater, Texas; Savannah L. Chalk and Rickie L. Chalk III of Big Sandy, Texas; Dorothy S. Hillis Shields of Lone Oak, Texas; Josh Lifto, Fred Sharrow, Lennie F. Hillis Sharrow of Rowlett, Texas; Justin McGregor, Theresa M. Marlow McGregor of Cookville, Texas; Calvin W. Hillis, Sherril Renee Gooding Hillis, Daniel W. Hillis, Larissa Amber Moore Hillis, Laigen M. Hillis, Grayson W. Hillis of Aransas Pass, Texas; Diane C. Baker Canyonville, Oregon; Susan E. Baker of Concord, California; Bennie E. Hillis, Diana Davis Hillis of Scurry, Texas; Freddie L. Yarbrough, Neva J. Hillis Yarbrough of Cedar Hill, Texas; Patricia A. Hillis Harris of Clovis, New Mexico; Iva N. Hillis Haren of Cooper, Texas; Jelle Jongsma, Casey L. Beall Jongsma, Emma L. Jongsma, Ryan Jongsma of Winnsboro, Texas; Dial D. Atkins, Ruby M. Hillis Atkins of Lake Kiowa, Texas; Bobby W. Marlow, Jessica Miranda Marlow, Hannah R. Marlow, Savannah L. Marlow of Winfield, Texas; Cullum O. Hillis, Judy James Hillis, Kinnadiee L.C. Thatcher, Richard Clayton Thatcher, Ty Thatcher of Klondike, Texas. If others are not mentioned, they did not sign the register.
Minnie adds, “Mark your calendars for the 2018 reunion on June 16th and 17th. Hope to see everyone there!”
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
It’s Almost Time for the Independence Day Concert!
Northeast Texas Symphony League member Linda Galligher with League President Maleta Reynolds
Everyone’s getting excited about the annual Independence Concert set for Saturday July 1 in downtown Sulphur Springs! Plan to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating and claim your favorite place on Celebration Plaza for listening to the music and watching the fireworks. This year, there will be numerous restaurant vendors set up on the south side of the square with concessions, in addition to keeping their restaurants open for diners. A musical salute to Veterans will start at 8 pm, followed by a program of our country’s most beloved patriotic and classical works, overtures and marches. At dark, a huge fireworks display will delight the audience. Be sure and arrive early and watch for signs and barricades marking traffic and parking limitations, as a safety precaution.
This will be the 26th annual concert, and as always, the celebration is free and open to the public to enjoy. However, the concert is not free to put on. In fact, expenses run between $30,000 -$40,000 which includes the cost of hiring professional conductor and musicians. Underwriters, sponsors and private donors are committed to providing the world-class event. Symphony League members also pitch in by holding a major fundraiser Radio and TV Auction each Autumn which provides about half the cost of the concert. Individuals who would like to become donors or join the Symphony League as members can also sign up at the KSST table and/or will find a sign-up table for that. Watch for Symphony League members around the KSST broadcast tent, where sign-ups for free American flag kits will also be going on. In addition to the live radio broadcast of the concert, the event will be recorded for playback on Channel 18 TV and added to the playback archive of previous concerts.
Update: Arrest Made for Vandalism on Celebration Plaza
CEDILLO, WESLEY LANE
Update: CEDILLO,WESLEY LANE identified and arrested for his role in the vandalism.
Update: According to Police Chief Jay Sanders, a 19-year old male has been arrested for Criminal Mischief in breaking the glass on the Celebration Plaza restroom.
The glass restroom on the west side of Celebration Plaza now has two shattered windows and a barricade with police tape around it following an act of vandalism Wednesday night around 10 p.m. Video shows a young adult white male wearing a ball cap, with a female companion wearing blue-jean shorts and a white top, shattering the window and vandalizing the flower beds and a flag pole nearby according to Sulphur Springs Detective Bo Fox. 
Fox stated the male left the scene when picked up by an individual driving a pewter or silver colored, late 90’s or early 2000 Ford Expedition. The damage to the window is around $2,000 and damage to flag pole and flower bed is around $300.
Fox stated that law enforcement is seeking public assistance in locating the white male. If you recognize the individual or have information, contact Sulphur Springs Police Department.
Stewart Sentenced to 10 Years for Possession of Child Pornography
Richard Lee Stewart, 34, of Sulphur Springs was sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Thursday in Eighth Judicial District Court according to Matt Harris, Assistant District Attorney. Harris stated that this was the maximum sentence allowed for the Felony 3 Possession of Child Pornography case.
Stewart was one of two Hopkins County men arrested in June 2014 in a case developed by through the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Dallas. He was indicted in August, 2016.
Weed Control By Mario Villarino
Weed control is an on-going process in Hopkins County. With our rainy season bringing April showers that sometimes carry well over early summer and recent devastating tornadoes in Northeast Texas is not surprising to have pending issues in our pastures because weather related delays. A common challenge is getting to harvest standing hay production because flooding or standing water in the fields or having to harvest hay infested with weeds.
A common alternative is to use herbicides to help control weeds and increase the value of the hay/grazing crop. Modern herbicides are a very effective method to control weeds, but just as any other resource, those have limitations. Richard Zollinger, North Dakota Extension related to use of herbicides a follows: “Hot, dry conditions can influence weed control and crop injury from herbicides. All herbicides are influenced by environmental conditions. Herbicides generally are most effective when applied to vigorously growing plants at 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Most herbicide labels caution against treatment of plants growing under extreme environmental conditions or stress, because treatment of stressed plants can result in increased crop injury and/or decreased weed control. Weeds growing under hot, dry conditions often become more tolerant to herbicides. Plants may develop a thicker wax layer on the leaf surface, which is a barrier to herbicide absorption into the plant.
Herbicide movement within the plant will likely be reduced due to a slowed rate of translocation and metabolism. Consequently, application of herbicides under such conditions often results in reduced weed control. Reduced weed control during hot, dry weather probably is the biggest concern with the application of systemic herbicides. Most contact herbicides become more active as temperatures increase. Increased activity may provide improved weed control, but can also result in greater crop injury.
However, good weed control with contact herbicides is dependent on timely application. The best control generally is achieved with thorough spray coverage (high spray volume) and application to small seedling weeds. Although waiting until temperatures subside will lessen the risk of crop injury, the weeds may develop beyond the optimum treatment stage if application is delayed too long. In some cases, application of reduced herbicide rates may be better than delaying application, even when temperatures are over 90 degrees. Precautions can be taken to minimize the risk for injury with contact herbicides during hot weather. Use lower labeled rates rather than higher rates, even if attempting to control larger or less susceptible weeds.
The activity of contact herbicides is increased on all plants at higher temperatures, so the weeds also will be more susceptible to the treatment. The most critical time for crop injury following application of a contact herbicide is the first few hours after treatment. Therefore, injury can be minimized by applying the herbicide in the evening after the temperature has decreased. Evening application will allow several hours of moderate temperatures following treatment while morning application will be followed immediately by increasing temperatures. Many contact herbicides are labeled for use with various additives. However, most additives also increase the chance for crop injury. Omitting the adjuvant or using the lower labeled rate of the recommended adjuvant will reduce injury potential from a contact herbicide applied at high temperatures”.
We recent high temperatures you are probably not surprise to see outside temperatures reaching over 90F. High temperatures complicate outside work and limits certain agricultural practices, being herbicide control one of them. Working at high weather temperatures can also cause operator health problems. If working outside, make sure you drink plenty of liquids, take frequent breaks to cool down under A/C and avoid intense high temperature hours if possible. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County extension Office or email me at [email protected].
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
You’re Never Too Old to Stay Fit By Johanna Hicks
You’re Never Too Old to Stay Fit
If you are a baby boomer, your adult years have flown by, filled with the competing demands of family, career and household responsibilities. Then, one day, you find yourself over the age of 50, possibly facing the prospect of retirement, aging, and often serving in a new role as caregiver to elderly relatives. The key is maintaining good health for yourself.
Your nutritional needs change as you age. While your body needs fewer calories every decade as your metabolism slows, your need for nutrient-rich feeds increase. Eating a well-balanced mix of foods every day may reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, bone loss, some cancers and anemia. A healthy diet provides nutrients that help your muscles, bone and organs throughout life. Consuming the right number of calories may also reduce your risk of many diseases.
For people who are 50+ years of age, the following daily calorie intake is suggested:
- Women: not active – 1600; moderately active – 1800; active – 2000-2200
- Men: not active – 2000; moderately active – 2200-2400; active – 2400-2800
Plan your meals and snacks to include protein, such as chicken, turkey, eggs, lean beef or pork, fish, beans and nuts. Increase fruit and vegetable intake, and make most of your grains whole grain (look at the nutrition label for the word “whole”.) Select low-fat or fat-free dairy products because they still provide the same amount of important nutrients, but have fewer calories.
If you tend to salt your food at the table before tasting it, you probably consume too much sodium. Take the salt shaker off the table and add more flavor to foods by using spices and herbs instead. The average American consumes 3 teaspoons per day, but only one teaspoon (2300 mg) is recommended. Individuals who have high blood pressure may be put on a restricted sodium diet, meaning even less than 2300 mg. Nutrition labels make it very easy to keep up with sodium content of your foods. Drink water instead of sugary beverages, and try to replace meat with seafood or fish twice a week.
Post-menopausal women may need to boost their calcium and/or Vitamin D intake. A lack of these important nutrients is linked to bone loss and an increased risk of falling. Getting enough Vitamin B12, which helps create red blood cells and keeps your central nervous system functioning well, may also be a challenge because your body can’t absorb it as well from food as you age.
Physical activity is one of the best things you can do for physical and mental health, and can even help individuals who have high blood pressure, arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. Your mood and stress levels can also be improved.
Gardening, walking the dog (or walking on any path and walking track), parking farther from the door, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator can all have health benefits. Ultimately, you will want to get 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Start out slowly, with 5 to 10 minutes at a time at least three day a week. When you’re ready to do more, first build up the amount of activity, then the intensity.
Wear proper shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. Texas summers can be brutal, so pick early in the day or even one of the in-door venues, such as the mall or the ROC (Recreation Outreach Center) for walking. You can also start your own Walk Across Texas team! Go to http://walkacrosstexas.tamu.edu for more information. And of course, check with your doctor before you begin if you are at high risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes, have been diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis, or if you smoke or are obese.
Just as the pressures of work and young family demands start to ease, you may find yourself caring for an older relative, and you’re not alone! More than 43.5 million adults between 50 and 64 are looking after an older family member, and nearly 15 million are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. Most of the caregivers (two-thirds) are women. Tasks range from shopping and cooking, to doing laundry, giving medication, dressing, grooming, bathing, and assisting in other ways.
Ask other family members to get involved when possible or get friends involved. Tell them exactly what you need. Be sure to get enough sleep and take a 30-minute walk to boost your mood and energy.
My sweet mom always said, “Growing old isn’t for the faint of heart!” She did not like asking for help, but I was glad to do what I could for her! In the long run, if you are caring for an aging relative, you won’t regret it, but remember to concentrate on what needs to get done and let the rest go. Remember to take care of yourself!
Closing Thought
There is one nice thing about need – it reveals your friends – Leroy Brownlow
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Outstanding Junior High School Principal of the Year 2018
Cassie Bland, Principal of Como-Pickton Junior High School in Como-Pickton CISD, has been selected to represent the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) as as a Region 8 Outstanding Junior High School Principal of the year. TASSP recognizes outstanding principals from the twenty regional education centers in the state. As a region 8 winner, Mrs. Bland is eligible to compete for the state title of Texas Principal of the Year.
School administrators are nominated and chosen by their peers within their regions. Nominations are based on exemplary performance and outstanding leadership. Mrs. Bland has led the leadership team at Como-Pickton Junior High School for the past three years establishing a culture of learning where students practice the motto of “Learning today, Leading tomorrow.” Mrs. Bland sees herself as being a risk taker, a visionary, and a leader of learners.
Greg Bower, Superintendent at Como-Pickton CISD states, “I am extremely proud of Mrs. Bland! As a newly installed superintendent to Como-Pickton, I have been extremely impressed with her and am thankful to have inherited her on my staff. This is an extremely prestigious honor for principals in our state and I can’t think of a more deserving recipient. Our students and staff are most fortunate to have her in our district.”
Mrs. Bland attended Dallas Baptist University where she was awarded a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. She has been an active member of TASSP and The National Association of Professional Women.
Regional winners will be recognized during Josten’s Night of the Stars Award Dinner at the 2018 TASSP Summer Conference in Austin. If selected as a state winner bby the TASSP Principal Image Committee, she will advance to compete for the NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) Principal of the Year Award.
Congratulations Mrs. Bland!
Sulphur Springs Rotary Club Scholarship and Grant Recipients
by Savannah Owens
At their meeting on June 22nd, the Sulphur Springs Rotary club gave out Senior Scholarships to 6 seniors and grants to organizations around the community. The rotary club is 12 years old, and has 66 members and 4 honorary members. The money for the scholarships and grants came from their Claws for a Cause event. 
The Rotary Club received 21 applications for the scholarships from all over Hopkins County. Two members became Paul Harris Fellows for their donations to the Rotary Club: Brenda Sabbagh and Tom Sellers.
Scholarship winners include: Sarah Berning, Jessica Rivera, Sheyenne Mitchell, Emily Johnson, Abbey Martin, and Katelyn Allen
Sarah Berning plans to attend Baylor University to major in Professional Writing and Rhetoric.
Jessica Rivera plans to attend Texas A&M in Commerce to become a teacher.
Sheyenne Mitchell is going to play softball at Paris Junior College, before attending Texas A&M in Commerce to major in Pre-Med where she hopes to become a traveling pediatrician. 
Grants were distributed to:
Shanna Martin with CanHelp
Johanna Hicks with Community Health Wellness Alliance
Mary Cable with Dinner Bell
Mary Leshe with Heritage Christian Counseling Center
Don Stephens with Hopkins County Community Response Team
Amy Bowen with Hopkins County Dairy Classic
W.T. Allison II with Hopkins County Veterans Memorial Committee
Gina Law with Lake Country Casa
Yvonne King with North East Texas Livestock Association (NETLA)
Melanie Helm with Project Graduation.
Alisha Dillion with the Rainbow Room
Rachel Draper with Relay for Life
Roy King with the Star Foundation
Cathy Singleton with Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter Volunteers
Choya Shanahan with Sulphur Springs Composite Civil Air Patrol
Maleta Reynolds with Sulphur Springs Symphony League
Amy E. Griggs with Teen Court of Hopkins County
Tami Reardon Terrific Tuesdays
Kerry Cartier with Van Zandt County Children’s shelter
Donald W. Fausett with Hopkins County Genealogical Society
