A Chat with Tom Sellers Celebrating Alliance Bank’s 90th Birthday
by Enola Gay
President and CEO of Alliance Bank Tom Sellers paid a visit to the KSST Morning Show to share a bit of Alliance Bank history with listeners and viewers. You can see read the history and view historic photos on the bank website, alliancebank.com. In brief, the bank’s birth was during the Depression era, when in 1927 it was chartered by two of the largest shareholders of First State Bank which had closed for insolvency. The original Sulphur Springs State Bank was located on the southwest corner of Main and Gilmer Streets, in the building now occupied by The Secret Garden retail store, just off the square. Jim Lindley was President and Charles Ashcroft was Vice President. That first year, the new bank turned a profit and paid a dividend, a trend that has been sustained for 90 years. A fire destroyed the original lobby in 1933, so the bank moved to it’s current location on the north side of the square. Its new home was a two-story columned Greek Revival building, also formerly a bank, and it remained there until the building was dismantled in the 1960’s when construction began on the current building. Meantime, the dairy industry had begun to expand in Hopkins County in 1937, providing a boost to farming which was formerly cotton. Bank loans for cows began to be made to dairymen contracted to sell milk through the then-local Carnation milk plant, and this healthy relationship between the bank and the dairy industry has continued until today. In 1996, the bank’s name was officially changed to Alliance Bank. Over the next 20 years, bank branches were opened in Hunt, Rockwall and Collin counties. Today, Alliance Bank also owns and operates Galyean Insurance and Alliance Bank Financial Services.
Sellers was born and raised in Hopkins County, graduated Sulphur Springs High School and attended Texas Tech University. Although his father Charles Sellers was in banking, Tom chose a cowboy lifestyle on the Leonard Ranch for awhile, then began working in the farm loan business in West Texas. In 1980, when Gerald Prim was bank president, Tom was recruited by Alec Bridges to come on-board at Alliance Bank as a loan officer. Tom and his wife Pam then returned to Sulphur Springs to establish their home and raise their family here. Tom will observe his 30-year anniversary with Alliance Bank in February 2018.
The public is invited to share in another celebration on Saturday July 1, 2017 downtown on Celebration Plaza in front of Alliance Bank as the Northeast Texas Symphony presents the annual Independence Day Concert.
Additional Charges for Mowrer; Bryant Also Charged
Additional charges were added Tuesday for Jeffrey Edward Mowrer, 25, arrested Monday for Tamper Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair and Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 28-grams. Mowrer had fled Hopkins County Deputies attempting to serve an arrest warrant for burglaries that occurred in southern Hopkins County where Mowrer was staying with a female on State Highway 154 (see first arrest below).
Christian Edward Bryant
Along with Mowrer, the passenger in the auto, Christian Edward Bryant, 25, of Royce City was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram. Bryant had exited the vehicle during the chase and gave himself up to deputies. The methamphetamine found in a backpack in the auto led to the arrest of Bryant. Bryant has not been implicated in the burglaries as of Wednesday morning.
Mowrer is now charged with Unlawful Possession Firearm by a Felon after a .22 caliber pistol and four rounds of ammunition were located in the air breather of a 1992 auto he was driving. The auto broke down after Mowrer had recklessly driven through yards and pastures while fleeing deputies on and off county roads.
Mower is also charged with Fraud Use/Possession of Identifying Information less than 5 items.
An additional charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram was added when an aluminum vial was found in a backpack in the auto.
Mowrer is now being held in Hopkins County jail on bonds totaling over $140,000.
First Arrest:
It began with a Hopkins County Investigator finding stolen articles for sale online. It ended with one arrest in a pasture and another at the residence where the stolen items from five or six burglaries in the south part of the county were found when deputies were serving an arrest warrant. When deputies arrived at the residence on State Highway 154, they were looking for Jeffrey Edward Mowrer, 25, of Caddo Mills. Mowrer was staying at the residence on 154, the home of Julie Dexter Davis, 25. Mowrer was wanted in regards to the stolen property. When deputies approached the residence they found a number of the stolen items in the carport. They knocked on all the doors of the house but no one inside the residence responded. The deputies loaded the stolen property into a patrol vehicle and went to a side door where Davis was exiting the residence. They inquired about Mowrer but were told he was not there. They were given consent to search the house, a deputy noted a green tinted zip lock bag CONTAINING a substance believed to be methamphetamine. Mowrer was located by deputies in a vehicle on State Highway 154 according to Sheriff Lewis Tatum. The deputies gave pursuit onto several county roads and then through a fence into a pasture. During an inventory of his vehicle, a handgun was found in the air filter of the auto. Both Mowrer and Davis are in Hopkins County Jail.
Jeffery Edward Mowrer
Mowrer was located by deputies in a vehicle on State Highway 154 according to Sheriff Lewis Tatum. The deputies gave pursuit. Mowrer and a passenger in the vehicle fled onto several county roads and then through a fence into a pasture. After Mowrer drove through a second fence onto another property, the passenger exited the vehicle and gave himself up. He was not involved in the burglaries, according to Sheriff Tatum. Finally, Mowrer exited the auto and was caught by a deputy. During an inventory of his vehicle, a handgun was found in the air filter of the 1992 model auto.
Man Charged With Cockfighting; Roosters Confiscated
[Editor’s Note: KSST will only post names and pictures of those charged with misdemeanors when the circumstances are out of the ordinary. This is one of those instances in which the crime is an inhumane act toward an animal/fowl.]
Interdiction Deputy Harry Washington stopped a van for a traffic violation at the 122-mile marker on westbound I-30 Tuesday. Inside the van in plain view were a number of roosters.
Deputy Washington was told by the driver, Jose Manuel Salas, 25, of El Paso that he had gaffs or slashers in the center console of the vehicle. Washington contacted the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to take possession of the approximate 60 to 70 roosters found in the van. The roosters were moved to a cool place until the SPCA arrived.
SALAS, JOSE MANUEL
Salas told Washington, “I know I messed up.” Salas is in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning charged with Cockfighting: Space/Owns/Trains/Equips, a misdemeanor class A. His bond is $2,000.
Timmons Sentenced for Arson
Joshua Timmons, 28, was sentenced to 12 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Tuesday afternoon in Eighth Judicial District Court. Timmons was on probation for arson but that was revoked when he was charged with Injury to Elderly/Child/Disabled with Intent Bodily Injury.
The Injury to Elderly charge was dismissed as a part of a plea bargain agreement. However, with the sentence for the Felony 2 arson, Timmons will be facing 25 years to life should he commit another felony after his time served in the sentence Tuesday.
Community Calendar for June 21-25, 2017
Deadline for Hopkins County young ladies to sign up to participate in the Fall Festival Cover Girl contest is June 23, 2017. Packets can be picked up at the Civic Center box office. These must be completed and turned in there before noon Friday. For those who have entered, an organizational meeting is scheduled for July 6 at 6 pm at Pizza Inn. Contact Cover Girl Coordinator Tracy Dennis at 903-243-1925 or [email protected].
A volunteer opportunity is open to someone who would fill a driver route for Meal a Day. The route is in-town on Wednesdays, and takes approximately an hour to complete. Inquire at the Seniors Center at 150 MLK Drive or call Karon Weatherman at 903-885-1661.
Hopkins County 4H’ers who are preparing for an Exchange Trip to Sanders County, Montana in July are planning a Baked Potato Fundraiser on Friday June 23. Donation is $7 for a loaded baked potato and dessert. Call in lunch or supper orders at the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443. Delivery is also available.
Mitchell Chapel Church of God in Christ has a Pastor’s Aid lunch fundraiser Friday June 23 starting at 10:30 am. The chicken fried steak plate with drink and dessert is $8, dine in ir carry out at 402 South Jackson St. or 903-885-0338.
In Town Route Driver Needed for Wednesday Meal-a-Day
According to Karen Weatherman, being a Meal-a-Day is more than delivering a meal. Weatherman says the local Meal-a-Day program is in need of a Wednesday in-town driver. A torn Achilles Tendon and coming surgery to repair the tear has sidelined the previous driver. The tear occurred while the driver was on vacation.
The route usually takes one hour unless the drive visits with those who whom he or she delivers. That’s the more that is involved. Weatherman said taking a little time to visit with the meal recipients adds a certain joy and purpose for the driver. The meal recipients always enjoy the visits made. For some, the driver will be the only person the recipient will see all day. In fact, Weatherman says the driver can go alone or take a friend with them on the route and for the brief visits.
If interested in driving, call Weatherman at 903-885-1661.
Deadline for Fall Festival Cover Girl Contestant Sign Up is Friday, June 23
Hopkins County young ladies that are entering their Junior year of high school in August, 2017, are invited to sign up to participate in the 2017 Fall Festival Cover Girl Contest. Deadline for sign up is Friday, June 23rd at noon. Qualifications for competing are in the packets that can be picked up at the Hopkins County Civic Center or from the contest coordinator.
There is a $30 entry fee. The entry fee, application and a clear and printable head-shot must be turned in before noon Friday. Only 10 contestants will be entered in the event and no one will be accepted after the deadline.
Contestants will be competing for a $1000 scholarship and a $100 Wal-Mart gift card. The Cover Girl winner will represent the county at various civic events. The first runner-up will receive a $750 scholarship and a $75 Wal-Mart gift card. If there are six or more contestants, the second runner-up will receive a $500 scholarship and a $50 Wal-Mart gift card.
A group meeting will be conducted at Pizza Inn on Thursday, July 6th for the contests and their parents/guardians. Contestants will draw for their contestant number, give their t-shirt size, and receive folders with information and patterns. Information regarding the contest will also be provided as well a question and answer session conducted.
For more information, contact Cover Girl Contest Coordinator Tracy Dennis at 903-243-1925 or [email protected]
Ups and Downs of EDGE Attendance
The ups and downs of attendance at The Edge conditioning program this year are typical and par for the course according to Wildcats Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens. His observation is based on twenty-six years of experience offering The Edge. The first three days of The Edge last week saw around 200 athletes participate.
Numbers were not very good last Thursday and this Monday according to Coach Owens. He said numbers were back up Tuesday and were good. Coach Owens said there were a variety of reasons for declines Thursday and Monday including some testing going on Monday, kids on vacation, vacation bible schools at churches and summer camps. For the most part, Coach Owens said he knows where players are who are not at The Edge. He acknowledged that some players were just skipping it and he added effort would be made to get them to attend.
Coach Owens said he was encouraged by the athletes who are attending and reiterated that if they are not there, he encourages them to get involved.
‘Save the Bees’ an Ongoing Mission of Area Beekeepers
In an interview on KSST’s Good Morning Show, listeners met Mary Smith, President of the 50-member Wood County Beekeepers Association, a chapter of the Texas Beekeepers Association. The club just wrapped a 3-weekend awareness series at the Winnsboro Farmer’s Market. Visitors were shown live bee demonstrations through a glass-sided hive, and honey extraction demonstrations showing how a bee farmer harvests honey by getting it out of the hive. There was also a “painted beehive” art contest and silent auction, where ten decorated hives were sold as a fundraiser for the club. Honey and beeswax products were offered for sale as well. The 3-weekend event served as a membership and education drive, a part of the Save the Bees mission of the Winnsboro group.
Bee farmers locally are experiencing distressing symptoms in their bees, similar to challenges being faced worldwide by beekeepers. For one, the queens are not living very long. With a working lifespan of about 6 years, many queens are now dying off much earlier. Also, bees which gather pollen and carry water and honey to the hives are weakened by the Varroa mite, a parasite which does not kill but weighs down and weakens the bees. Another widespread problem is the bee’s constant exposure to insecticides and poisons in the environment. Also, decreasing forage in the form of blooming plants, shrubs and trees affects the amount of pollen that bees can gather within the two-mile radius of their travels from the hive.
If you would like more information on how you can help save the bees, contact woodcountybeekeepers.org , phone 903-342-2428 or get facts from the state website of the Texas Beekeepers Association.
