Former Jailer Arrested For Official Oppression
A former Hopkins County jailer, wanted on a Misdemeanor A warrant, turned himself in to Sheriff’s Deputies Tuesday morning. The man was fired two weeks ago by Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum when the jailer’s supervisor caught him in the act of official oppression of a female inmate.
Inappropriate comments made by the man to the inmate were noted, investigated, and found to be sufficient to terminate employment immediately and to file the charges. After conferring with the County Attorney, the Sheriff’s office obtained a warrant for his arrest.
This incident was found to be the first inappropriate action for the jail employee. Sheriff Tatum stated that there will be no cover up during his administration and that any Sheriff’s Office employee, at any level, will be arrested as would anyone else who breaks the law.
The individual’s name was not released due to the fact the charge is a misdemeanor.
Sign Up Underway for 5th Annual Warrior Run
The 5th Annual Tanner Higgins Warrior Run is Saturday, April 8, 2017, at Cooper Lake State Park, South Sulphur Unit. The Warrior Run honors the memory of Sergeant Tanner Stone Higgins, who at age 23 was killed by enemy forces during a heavy firefight while conducting combat operations in Logar Provice, Afghanistan in 2012. Higgins was a team leader for 1/75th Ranger Regiment, Delta Company.
The benefit race raises money for the Tanner Higgins Military Memorial Fund, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to offering financial and social support beyond what the government offers to veterans, gold star families, wounded warriors, transitioning soldiers, and active military men and women.
The 5-mile Trail Challenge and the 1-mile Grunt run begins at 8:30 a.m. Registration begins at 7 a.m. on April 8th. Opening ceremonies at 8:15 a.m. features the Hopkins County Military Coalition posting of the colors.
Registration of the 5-mile challenge is underway. Register before March 26th for $35; March 27-April 7 for $40; $50 on the day of the race. The 1-mile run registration fee is $25.
Pre-registration guarantees an event T-shirt. Those completing the 5-mile race and who preregister will receive a Finisher bracelet.
Wildcats Golf Finished 12th at Twisted 54 Tourney
The Wildcats’ golf team finished in twelfth place in the 2-day Twisted 54 Golf Tournament last Friday and Saturday in Longview. The unusual format calls for 36 holes on Friday with a final 18 on Saturday.
Wildcats Golf Coach Chris Owens said the weather was really nice. He said the Wildcats did pretty well during the first round Friday at Wood Hollow Golf Course. Coach Owens said the Wildcats struggled some during the second round Friday and the final round Saturday. The team shot a total of 942. Coach Owens said the team had some work to do.
Next for the Wildcats is a tournament at Indian Creek Golf Course in Carrollton on Wednesday.
Saltillo Season Ends in Regional Tourney Loss
A good Saltillo Lions’ basketball season came to an end last Friday as the Lions lost to Graford, 79-49 at the regional tournament in Mansfield. Graford made six of their first 7 shots and jumped out to a 27-7 first quarter lead.
Leading the Lions in scoring was Michael Simmons with 13 points. Other Saltillo scorers included Ryan Prewitt with 7, Lyle Bench with 6, Walker McGill with 5, Trevor Moore and Clayton Wilson with 4, Adam Valenzuela and Matthew Gurley with 3 and Logan Camp and Dakota Patridge with 2.
Coach Bill Giles said his team played hard and did some things well in the loss. He complimented the teams seniors: Dakota Patridge, Clayton Wilson, Logan Camp and Adam Valenzuela for their leadership, commitment to team and their attitude.
Two SSHS Power-lift Team Members Qualify for State; Two Others Qualify as Alternates
At the regional power-lifting meet in Lindale Saturday, the Wildcats finished fourth as a team, two Wildcats qualified for the state meet, and two others earned alternate status at state.
Junior Cor’Tavius Pruitt had an incredible meet. He qualified for state by winning the 181 pound weight class. Pruitt also received awards for Outstanding Squat and for Outstanding Tournament Lifter. Junior D’Idrec Dugan in the 220 pound weight class finished fourth but qualified for state by achieving the automatic qualifying total in weight lifted. Senior Isaiah Neal in the 181 pound weight class and junior Ian Blanch in the 275 pound weight class both finished three and both qualified as alternates for the state tournament.
The state meet takes place in Abilene on March 25. Wildcats Powerlifting Coach Casey Jeter said the regional meet was a great meet and great success for the Wildcats. He ended up taking 11 lifters to regional. Freshman Hayden Keller, in the 148 pound weight class, got to participate in the meet after qualifying as an alternate. Other Wildcats who participated at the regional meet were Oscar Yanez and Alex Rodriguez in the 114 pound class, Cason Goodson in the 132 pound weight class, George Greenway V in the 148 pound weight class, Carson Bridges in the 165 pound weight class and Vincent Morales, who finished sixth, in the 181 pound weight class. 
McQueen Sentenced to Five Years in Plea Bargain Agreement
Monday afternoon in Eighth Judicial District Court, Justin Joe McQueen plead guilty to the October, 2015, murder of Jesse Louis Vasquez. Vasquez died from gunshot wounds following a Sunday night shootout on Ingram Street in Sulphur Springs.
Justin Joe McQueen
McQueen, 19-years of age at the time of the shooting, was one of several who exchanged gunfire that night. Witnesses at the scene reported to police that a white male had left the scene. During questioning, an individual who had arrived at the scene informed officers that a man was behind a building near Dairy Queen on Main Street and wanted to give himself up. At that location, officers arrested McQueen. McQueen had injuries to his knees from jumping a fence. He was taken to HCMH ER where he was treated and released to Hopkins County Jail.
The shootout occurred following the exchange of text messages between Vasquez’s brother and a friend of McQueen. The gunfight occurred at the home of McQueen’s friend.
District Attorney Will Ramsay said the case held several difficult points. In a statement released by Ramsay, he stated, “As District Attorney, I made the decision to offer Mr. McQueen a sentence of 5 years in the state penitentiary in exchange for his plea of ‘guilty’ to the offense of murder.
“Each criminal case is based on a unique set of facts. This specific case presented some of the most difficult facts that I have encountered in over a decade of prosecuting cases. After meetings with the victim’s family and reviewing the totality of circumstances, the decision was made to seek a conviction for murder regardless of the relatively short amount of time Mr. McQueen would spend in prison.
“The prosecution of violent crime is a sacred duty to those of us in this office. This case presented us with very difficult decisions looking at the facts from many angles, but I believe this is the right move for our chief goal of justice.”
Green Sentenced to 12 Years for Injury to a Child
On the day a jury was to be selected to try an Injury to a Child case, Dewayne Green, 28 of Sulphur Springs plead guilty and following the sentencing phase of the trial was, just prior to noon, sentenced to 12 years in prison. Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris called CPS workers and others to testify in the morning sentencing hearing.
One CPS investigator told the court that this was not the first time CPS had been called to investigate abuse by Green. She stated that she had called police to assist in a call to Green’s residence for the protection of the children and for herself, noting that CPS workers are placed in difficult situations in some investigations. During her testimony District Judge Eddie Northcutt reprimanded three individuals seated behind the defendant and in the line of sight of the witness while being questioned by Defense Attorney Frank Hughes. The individuals were vigorously agreeing or disagreeing with the witness. Judge Northcutt found this a distraction for the witness.
Green was arrested by Hopkins County Deputy Scott Davis on Sulphur Springs Police Department warrants for injury to a child, a felony 3, in July, 2016. Deputy Davis located Green at a residence on County Road 3562. Detective Sgt. David Gilmore told KSST News that Child Protective Services contacted him regarding the injuries sustained by a 6-year old and 3-year old. One of the children was a biological child and their other a step-child of Green. Gilmore stated that the children had sustained bruising on the chest and belt marks on their legs and abdomen, along with some scarring and tearing. The marks were a result of discipline, Green stated. Gilmore stated that following interrogation, Green confessed to the acts.
Arrest Made Due to City Code Violations
A well littered yard and other city code violations resulted in the arrest of a 42-year old Sulphur Springs woman over the weekend. The woman paid her fines and was released Monday morning.
The code violations at her College Street address included Accumulation of Rubbish or Garbage, Accumulation of Trash, Carrion, Filth, etc, Dog at large, No Vaccination Against Rabies, three counts of Inoperative Vehicle on Premises.
According to Municipal Judge B. J. Teer the length of time given the woman to clean the yard will depend on the code officer.
Como-Pickton FFA Teams Win at San Angelo Show
Winning Milking Parlor builders Tyler Osborne, Heston Wilburn, Denton Lawson and Robert Flewelling
At San Angelo Ag Mechanics Show, Como-Pickton FFA exhibited five projects in the show.
Receiving a Red Ribbon – Farm Gate built by Osvaldo Gutierrez, Shawn Murray, and Brynden Andrews
Blue Ribbon Projects:
Smoker Trailer – Built by Robert Flewelling
Blue Ribbon and Placing in class Projects:
Electrical Livestock Equipment
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1st in Class – Portable Milking Parlor built by Breanna Bowen, River Thomas, Cameron Matthews, and Tristen Sickles
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Specialty Hauling Trailers
1st in Class – Specialty Equipment Hauling Trailer built by Daniel Galvan, Parker Cummings, and Melvin Jackson
- Cattle Handling Equipment
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2nd in Class – Cattle Squeeze Chute built by Robert Flewelling, Tyler Osborne, Heston Wilburn, and Denton Lawson
Construction Trades Contests
Exhibiting a blue ribbon Gun Chest and advancing to State – Melvin Jackson and Dakota Payton
1st Place Construction Materials ID Contest – Dakota Payton and Jesus Gonzales
1st Place Construction Tool ID – Melvin Jackson
Welding Contests
1st Place Individual Welding contest – Tyler Osborne
7th Place Individual Welding contest – Daniel Glavan
4th Place Welding Fabrication Team – Robert Flewelling, Osvaldo Gutierrez, River Thomas
