Former Fall Festival Cover Girl Receives TAF&E Scholarship

Vocational and Associate Degree Nursing Students Receive Award
Paris Junior College vocational and associate degree nursing students received awards during pinning ceremonies held during the final week of the spring semester.

RECEIVE AWARDS Licensed vocational nursing students Madison Oats of Cooper and Maddie Bowers of Paris received perfect attendance awards.
Vocational nursing student perfect attendance awards went to Maddie Marie Bowers of Paris and Madison Rose Oats of Cooper.
During the vocational nursing ceremony, the Hopkins-Nicholas Award for outstanding performance in both classroom and clinical training went to Brittany Hall of Longview. The award for highest grade point average went to Stacie Wheeler of Paris. Brooke Nichols of Paris received the Metamorphosis Award for exhibiting the most growth since the beginning of vocational program.
At the associate degree nursing student ceremony, the Academic Achievement Award for highest grade point average went to Katie Harrington of Paris, who also received the Student Choice Award that is chosen by peers for the student best representing the nursing profession.
The Outstanding Clinical Student Award was given to Sarah Merritt of Paris. The Metamorphosis Award for exhibiting the most growth through the entire associate degree program went to Anna Watson of Paris.
Associate degree perfect attendance awards went to Harrington, Lane Manginell of Detroit, Kayla Presley of Bagwell, and Brianna Schroeder, Collin Thomas, and Angela Thompson of Paris.
Louisa Kessel, St. Joseph’s Community Foundation Executive Director, congratulated the pinning candidates and presented them with a rose at each of the ceremonies held by PJC’s nursing programs.
Fun places around Hopkins County to take your kids this summer for under $10
by Savannah Owens
- Imagination Mountain and Coleman Lake-Pack a picnic lunch, a baseball, and a couple of fishing poles and you’ll have a whole day of fun set up with minimal planning.
- Hopkins County Historical Society Museum and Heritage Park – Enjoy learning more about the history of Sulphur Springs when you spend the afternoon here. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am-2pm.
- . The Dairy Museum-This museum is a classic, visitors learn something new on each visit! Don’t forget to grab some ice cream after you finish going through the museum!
- The Leo St. Clair Music Box Museum housed inside the Sulphur Springs Public Library, showcases beautiful, and intricate music boxes that are a sight to see. Guaranteed to thrill young and old alike. While you’re already at the library, kids and adults can check out a fun summer read or stay for story time.
- Snow-cones – Sulphur Springs has multiple snow cone shops around town. All of which will serve that icey goodness needed to do the trick in the battle of the Texas summer heat! You can get a couple of snow cones for under $4 at most of the shops.
- Northeast Texas Children’s Museum- There are ton of exhibits and hands on activities to see and do! This is a perfect afternoon activity when its too hot to be outside.
- Cooper Lake State Park- Hike around, look for birds and animal tracks, or go fishing! Or take a kayak or non-motorized boat out and sail around in the water! Then head back to shore to watch the sunset, make a fire and eat all the s’mores you want. (Don’t forget to bring the marshmallows!)
- The Audie Murphy/American Cotton Museum in Greenville- Audie Murphy was an incredible WWII Hero and movie star from East Texas-and the museum takes you through his entire life. It’s definitely a must see.
- Shenaniganz in Greenville-. If you go during the week (and before 6pm on Friday or Saturday) prices are reasonable at$4 a game for bowling, shoe rentals for $3, per person, and Lazer Tag is $6.50 per person.
- Buford Park- Enjoy Kids Kingdom playground, or walking/jogging trails, a skateboard park and basketball court. This park has something for everyone in the whole family!
- Car wash- Take a ride through one of the local car washes just for fun-you don’t even have to get out of the car to experience the bubbly magic! Or let your kids help you wash your car. This is good clean fun that kids of all ages can enjoy!
- Plant a summer container garden- Stop by the store: Fix n Feed, Lowes, Walmart or Atwoods (kids will get a kick out of watching the baby chicks at Atwoods), all have seeds (packages are around $2.00 each), soil and small containers. Then spend the day teaching your child how to take care of and plant a flower or vegetable garden. Your kids children will be proud of their accomplishments when the seeds start to sprout. Remind them to water often and keep checking on their garden daily for fun all summer long!
- Celebration Plaza- Conveniently located on the downtown square, kids love to splash in the fountains, play with the over sized checker and chess pieces , while you rest in the shade! Don’t forget to pack sun-screen!
- Celebration Antiques and Sweet Shoppe is a great place where parents can shop and cool off after a day on the square and kids can get some tasty ice-cream or a sweet treat.
- Stargaze- Find an old blanket or a blow up kiddie pool with pillows, and layout in your backyard- look for constellations or make up your own! Click here for some great ideas for families!
Training Building Tradesmen; Summer Campus Improvements; Baseball, Softball Remodeling
Finding tradesmen for construction jobs such as home building is said to be more difficult in current times. To address that need, Sulphur Springs High School is bringing back a building trades class to help train tradesmen of the future. The building trades class will be building a house on Fore Street in Sulphur Springs on a lot owned by the school district. The slab is expected to be poured this summer. School district Director of Maintenance Dan Froneberger said his grandfather started a similar program at high school in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Auto Tech instructor Harold Smithson will be heading up the housing program. Overseeing it will be Jenny Arledge, Director of Career Technology Education. Froneberger said his maintenance men would lend a hand if needed. He said he understood the proposed home already had a buyer.
Froneberger also said maintenance crews would be busy with a long list of summer campus improvement projects. Included will be cabinet work in restrooms at Middle School, gym floors redone at Sulphur Springs Elementary, fixing a leak outside of Douglas Intermediate School on the westside and remodeling the Ag Department at High School.
Work was also being done Friday on the new baseball field and remodeling of the softball field at High School. For baseball, work included marking off for irrigation, dugout work along the first base line, slab pouring for a press box, concession stand and restrooms and beam painting for the outfield wall. For softball, dirt work was underway for the new press box and concession stand and some drainage work was in progress toward the Multipurpose Building. Froneberger also said a whole crew had been sent to Sulphur Bluff taking baseball and softball light poles there. The SSISD sold the poles to Sulphur Bluff. Froneberger said work crews had plenty of time to finish baseball and softball work before the February deadline.
Wood County Sheriff’s Report May 24-30, 2017
May 24th
At 8:12 a.m., cows were reported out on SPUR 514 near Yantis.
Deputies were dispatched to PR 8692 near Winnsboro, at approximately 8:45 a.m., in reference to a theft. Actors, or actors unknown, damaged the victim’s Kawasaki Mule and siphoned the gas out of it. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies made contact over the phone with an out-of-state complainant, at approximately 11:52 a.m. The complainant reported that an unknown party in Winnsboro opened an account, with the complainants’ information, and charged a purchase. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies were dispatched to Holliday Villages near Quitman, at approximately 12:33 p.m., in reference to a burglary. Actors, or actors unknown, stole several items from the victim’s RV trailer. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies made contact over the phone with the reporting party, at approximately 4:07 p.m., in regards to a theft. The reporting party’s utility trailer was stolen from a storage unit on FM 2869 in Hawkins. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 4510 near Winnsboro, at approximately 11:23 p.m., in reference to a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle was located and stopped. Upon further investigation, narcotics were found in the vehicle. Joseph Walls, 53, of Winnsboro, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Drug Paraphernalia.
May 25th
At 2:46 a.m., horses were reported out on 154 E/FM 14.
At 6:13 a.m., horses were reported out on FM 2869/CR 4530.
At 6:15 a.m., horses were reported out on 154 E.
Deputies were dispatched to HWY 515, at approximately 7:16 p.m., in reference to a burglary. Several items were stolen from the victim’s vehicle that was parked at the camp site. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies initiated a traffic stop on CR 4702, at approximately 10:24 p.m., due to no tail lights. The driver has an outstanding warrant out of another state. Scott Storey, 42, of Quitman, was arrested for no valid driver’s license and expired or no license plate.
May 26th
Deputies were dispatched to PR 790 in Hawkins, at approximately 12:27 p.m., in regards to an inquest. A male, 72, was pronounced dead at 1:00 p.m. by the Justice of the Peace.
At 4:16 p.m., horses were reported out on FM 69.
At 6:07 p.m., horses were reported out on FM 2869/CR 4530.
Deputies returned a call to the complainant, at approximately 6:12 p.m., regarding a stolen vehicle on CR 4470. The complainant reported that a known person stole her truck keys and left in her vehicle. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
May 27th
Deputies had calls that involved criminal mischief, suspicious circumstances, and animal complaints, but there were no major incidents that occurred.
May 28th
At 10:35 a.m., cows were reported out on FM 515 W/near CR 7540 in Yantis.
Deputies had calls that ranged from suspicious circumstances, to criminal trespassing, but there were no major incidents that occurred.
May 29th
At 9:41 a.m., cows were reported out on CR 4730 near Winnsboro.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 3204 near Quitman, at approximately 10:53 a.m., in regards to criminal mischief. Several storage unit lock plates were damaged or cut off. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 4990 near Quitman, at approximately 12:38 p.m., in reference to a theft. The reporting party stated that several pieces of pipe were missing from the work site. Further down CR 4990, at an additional work site, more pipe was missing. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
At 7:59 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 4730/4740.
May 30th
Deputies were dispatched to CR 3540 near Hawkins, at approximately 12:05 a.m., in reference to a suspicious person. The area was checked, and David Wilson, 52, of Hawkins, was located and arrested for Public Intoxication.
At 3:39 a.m., cows were reported out on FM 515/CR 2966.
At 5:51 a.m., cows were reported out on CR 3220.
At 7:22 a.m., horses were reported out on FM 852/CR 4430.
Deputies were dispatched to PR 5937 near Yantis, at approximately 2:21 p.m., in reference to a theft. Fishing equipment was stolen from the reporting party’s property. Their neighbor had fishing equipment stolen from their property, as well. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Total Jail Count – 150 prisoners – 123 males and 27 females.
Sheriff Castloo would like to remind everyone…if you have any information on these or any other crimes, please contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at 903-763-2201 or Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH.
DPS Traffic Stop Discovers Tetrahydrocannabinol and Meth
Jason William Helmholtz, 40, and Jacqueline Mary Helmholtz, 47, both of Missouri, were speeding down I-30 when a DPS Trooper clocked them at 82 mph in a 75 mph zone. When the trooper approached the vehicle, he noted the odor of burnt marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle.
Both occupants were asked to exit the vehicle. Jason was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. In the auto the trooper found a glass jar containing a blue grinder and a piece of tin foil that contained Tetrahydrocannabinol, a marijuana wax.
Jacqueline Helmholtz is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 less than 1-gram and Possession of Marijuana under 2 oz. . She is held on total bonds of $6,000. Jason Helmholtz is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram, Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 less than 1-gram and Possession of Marijuana under 2 oz. He is in jail with bonds totaling $11,000.
Not Wearing Seat Belt But Meth Under the Seat
At 11:51 a.m. Cumby Police Ray Embro noted an auto exiting a gas station parking lot and the driver not wearing a seatbelt. Embro initiated a traffic stop on Frisco Street. Following a consent to search the vehicle, Embro located a white pill bottle containing a plastic baggy with white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine under the driver’s seat. Two pipes with meth residue were also found under the front seat.
Rowdy Dee Duvall, 37, of Sulphur Springs is in Hopkins County Jail charge with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams. He is in Hopkins County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Winnsboro Man Attempts to Ship Controlled Substance
June 2, 2017 – John Lamar Jones, 70, of Winnsboro, TX attempted to ship a package on May 31st at a UPS Hub on Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs. Once again, alert clerks notified Sulphur Springs Police.
The Special Crimes Unit investigated and on Thursday arrested Jones for Possession with Intent to Deliver or Manufacture a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than or equal to 4-grams but less than 200-grams, a Felony 1.

John Lamar Jones
Jones is in Hopkins County Jail being held on $70,000 bond.
County Fire Chief Injured in Accident; Traffic Backed Up on I-30 Wednesday
An accident on I-30 westbound at Bill Bradford Road created a second accident when a driver of an semi-truck failed to control speed. Both accidents created a traffic backup for approximately 4 miles. Traffic was routed onto the service road for about an hour following the second accident. Andy Endsley, Hopkins County Fire Chief was injured in the second accident.
Wednesday, two motorcycles and two autos were involved in a traffic accident at the above location. Hopkins County Fire Department Station 20 responded with city units to control traffic and assist as first responders. Engine 20 was blocking the left hand lane on the interstate but having difficulty slowing traffic. They called for backup. Chief Endsley parked his official vehicle about 2000 yards behind the fire truck, according to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Tanner Crump. Crump said the driver of the semi-truck was not paying attention until the last moment when he saw the lights of the Chief’s vehicle. The truck swerved to miss the vehicle but the Honda Pilot behind him slammed on brakes and stopped just prior to hitting the Chief’s unit. However, an auto behind the Honda hit it and pushed it into the Chief’s vehicle. Crump said the driver and passengers in the Honda were transported to the local hospital by ambulance and Endsley was transported by Crump in his vehicle. Endsley was treated and later released. He was off duty Thursday and Friday.
The driver of the semi-truck was charged with driving with suspended license and failure to control speed.