Plea Bargain Earns 30 Years for Meth Possession
Garland Shane Robinson, 38 of Garland, a codefendant to Cory Butler plead guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 4-grams but less than 200-grams Thursday in Eighth Judicial District Court. He was sentenced to 30 years in the Texas Department of Corrections. Robinson and Butler were together when Hopkins County Deputies were called to County Road 3502 to check out a suspicious vehicle and a suspicious person. There they the two failed to identify themselves correctly on the first try. Forty-two (42)-grams of a suspected quantity of methamphetamine and securities and benefits obtained under false names were found in the vehicle.
Robinson gave his name as Landon Lee. It was quickly discovered that he was lying about his name. An inventory of the F250 Supercab found the 42-grams of suspected methamphetamine in a computer bag on the back seat of the vehicle. Documents used to obtain securities and benefits in the name of Landon Lee and the name of Nicolas Branson were also found in the vehicle. The charges for the documents and false identity were dropped in the bargain.
Butler was sentence Wednesday.
Meal A Day Menu for February 27th-March 3rd

Wildcats Golf Continue Tournament Play
On a beautiful February day for golf Wednesday, the Wildcats’ golf team took first place in a tournament at Firewheel Golf Park in Garland. The Wildcats shot 311 with their top three golfers shooting in the 70’s. Caleb Lewis won the tournament with a 72. Alex Motes shot 78. Andrew Escobar came in with a 79. Colton Bench shot 82 and Carter Lewis 83.
The Wildcats’ golf team will play in the Twisted 54 Tournament on March 3-4 in Longview hosted by Pine Tree. Golfers will play 36 holes on Friday and 18 more on Saturday.
Arkansas Man Sentenced to Seven Years
Thursday morning in Eighth Judicial Court Carlos F. Thompson, 36, of Arkansas was sentenced to seven years in prison for Unlawfull Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
When the auto they were driving failed to maintain a single lane near the 110-Mile Marker on I-30, Cumby Police made the stop on an auto that failed to maintain a single lane near the 110-mile marker. Next to the passenger, Thompson, was an open alcoholic beverage container. He was arrested and a probable cause search of the vehicle revealed a concealed firearm behind a folding arm rest in the back seat of the vehicle. A check on the firearm serial number showed it to be stolen. He had prior felony convictions.
Thursday Game Day: Softball, Baseball, Track
The Lady Cats’ softball team continues their season and the Wildcats’ baseball team and the Wildcats and Lady Cats’ track teams open their seasons on this Thursday game day.
The Wildcats’ baseball team will open the regular season with back to back games Thursday in the 26th annual Rose City Classic sponsored by Tyler Lee. The Wildcats will face a tough Forney team at 3 p.m. and then will play Lindale at 5 p.m. Both of those games will be at Tyler’s Mike Carter Field.
The Lady Cats’ softball will also play back to back games Thursday in an Allen tournament. The Lady Cats face Frisco Liberty at 5 p.m. and then McKinney North at 7 p.m. The Lady Cats enter the tournament with a season record of 4-1. They played all five of those games in their Sulphur Springs Varsity Softball Tournament last week.
Finally the Wildcats and Lady Cats’ track teams open their season at a Denison meet. Events get underway at 4 p.m.

Chamber Connection February 23, 2017
THANK YOU to all of you attended the Chamber Banquet last Thursday. It was a beautiful night full of wonderful food and loving surprises! I am thankful to all of you for making that night such a success. The honorees of the evening included: The Hopkins County Military Coalition (Citizens of the Year), Linda Galligher (Woman of the Year), Christine Morris (Caregiver of the Year), Sandi Wallace (Growth and Renewal), Shining Star Productions (Community Pride), Kim Beck (Ambassador of the Year), Pat Chase (Agriculturalist of the Year), Rowena Johnson (Educator of the Year), Channel 18 News (Small Business of the Year), Saputo (Large Business of the Year), Bobby McDonald (Vision Award), and Chuck Sickles (Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Year). The Chamber also recognized our outgoing Directors: Neva Mohesky, Penney Hemby, Carolyn McKinney, and Stephanie Stephens. It was a GREAT night!!
In the spirit of moving forward… It’s time for the Spring Fever Bike Rally!!! Saturday, March 11th is the date for the Spring Fever Bike Rally. Hopkins County will be expecting 500-600 cyclists who will ride in either a 10 mile, 25 mile, 38 mile, or 58 mile ride. Matt Dunn will be providing entertainment on Celebration Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., so either sign up to ride in the rally, or come out and cheer on these athletes!! It’s an entertaining day in Hopkins County!
Finally, check out the Chamber of Commerce’s new website… hopkinschamber.org. The site was custom designed by Lonestar Web Group of Sulphur Springs. We are very proud of our new site and can’t wait for everyone to enjoy it!
SS Public Library presents a Cooking Tips Class on Thursday, February 23rd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Sulphur Springs Public Library is offering a Cooking Tips & Skills Class by Lyndsay Palmer on Thursday, February 23rd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Library, 611 North Davis Street. Attend this class to learn tips and tricks of the kitchen with Chef Lyndsay Palmer. She will demonstrate several ways to help strengthen your kitchen skills and help answer any of your cooking questions. The class is free to the public, and refreshments will be served. Each attendee will have a chance to win a Family 4 Pack of Tickets to the 2017 Season of the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. For more information call the Library at (903) 885-4926 or visit the website at www.sslibrary.org.
Baseball Registration is Happening Now through Monday, February 27th!
The Sulphur Springs Boys Baseball Association is accepting registrations through February 27th at Fieldhouse Sports. The registration fee for ages three to four is $55, and all other ages is $80. For more information, visit www.ssbba.org, or www.facebook.com/ssboysbaseball.
St. Phillips Episcopal Church is Hosting a Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 28th
St. Phillips Episcopal Church is hosting their annual pancake supper on Tuesday, February 28th from5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. They are located at 1209 College Street in Sulphur Springs, and donations will be accepted. They are also holding their Ash Wednesday Service on Wednesday, March 1st at 6:30 p.m.
SS Public Library presents Why Do I Need a Will on Thursday, March 2nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Sulphur Springs Public Library is offering a class called Why Do I Need a Will by local lawyer Joel Sheffield on Thursday, March 2nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Library, 611 North Davis Street. Attend this class hear discussion about wills, probates, power of attorney, and relationships affecting wills such as children, step children, and exes. The class is free to the public, and refreshments will be served. Each attendee will have a chance to win a Family 4 Pack of Tickets to the 2017 Season of the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. For more information call the Library at (903) 885-4926 or visit the website at www.sslibrary.org
Plain & Fancy will host their 20 Year Anniversary Ribbon Cutting on Friday, March 3rd
Plain and Fancy will host their 20 Year Ribbon Cutting Celebration and Open House on Friday, March 3rd from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. They will offer a free dessert bar that night! Come by and celebrate 20 years of success with Plain & Fancy!
Building 429, Josh Wilson, and Chris August are coming to Sulphur Springs, Friday, March 3rd
Building 429, Josh Wilson, and Chris August are coming to Sulphur Springs for their “Worship in the Round Tour” Presented by The Way Radio Group, and 99.7 & 100.9 The Way on Friday, March 3rd, at 7p.m. in the SSHS Auditorium. Tickets are available at my997theway.com and at The Way Radio Station at 616 N. Hillcrest Drive in Sulphur Springs. VIP, General Admission, as well as discounted Youth Group tickets are available! For more info call (903)885-7639.
Hunt County Regional is offering March Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt County Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on March 23rd in the Spring Village Shopping Center in Sulphur Springs. All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. They can also help with payment resources for uninsured/income-eligible women or those who choose to pay cash. For help with payment resources please call The Bridge Breast Network at (214) 821-3820 x 21.To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call (903) 408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested. |
Master Wellness Volunteer Training Begins January 30th and Goes Through February 27th
This training takes place every two years, and 2017 is the year! Individuals learn about food safety, nutrition, working with diverse audiences, finding reliable resources on the web and much more. The training will be held on five consecutive Mondays, January 30, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, Sulphur Springs, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Upon completing the training and passing a
certification exam, volunteers agree to give 40 hours of service by assisting the Extension Agent with programs, day camps, program preparations, health fairs, and other services. Contact Johanna Hicks at 903-885-3443 for more details.
Wesley United Methodist Church will host Free AARP Tax Aid on Saturdays until April 8th
Wesley United Methodist Church will host free AARP Tax Aide starting this Saturday, February 4th, from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They will complete your taxes for free every Saturday and Tuesday until April 8th. Each tax preparation day will last from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wesley United Methodist Church is located at 614 Texas Street in Sulphur Springs.
Hopkins County Fall Festival is Hosting the Circus!
The Hopkins County Fall Festival is hosting the Kelly Miller Circus on Tuesday, March 21st at 4:30pm and 7:30pm, and Wednesday, March 22nd, at 7:30pm. The Big Top performances will be on the Civic Center grounds. Ticket information coming soon!
Ribbon Cuttings:
A Brush of Class hosted an Open House on Tuesday, February 21st at noon
A Brush of Class, located at 212 N. Davis Street in Sulphur Springs, hosted a Ribbon Cutting and Open House on Tuesday, February 21st. They offer painting classes, painting parties for all ages, and even sculpture and textile opportunities.
Lowe’s Hosted an Open House on Wednesday, February 22nd at noon
Lowe’s hosted an Open House on Wednesday, February 22nd at noon to launch their newest business development. Lowe’s now offers Design Professionals and a triple bonded contractor to help with your kitchen and bath building and remodeling needs.
Have a wonderful weekend!

Lezley Brown
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
Sulphur Springs Man Charged With Theft of Property
Noel Brent Bain, 48, of Sulphur Springs was arrested and charged with Theft of Property more than $2,500 but less than $30,000 on Wednesday. Bain was contacted in reference to a theft case. He admitted accepting money in April, 2016 but did not do the work promised nor returned any of the money. He did admit receiving a certified letter regarding the money but did not respond.
Bain was booked into Hopkins County Jail on the State Jail Felony Charge. His bail was set at $5,000.
Accident on I-30 Reveals 6.4 Pounds of Meth
An accident on I-30 Eastbound at the 116-mile marker involving a Semi-truck-trailer and a vehicle driven by Lizette Ibarra, 20 of Charlotte North Carolina, and the passenger Isak Carrillo, 26 of El Paso, became more than an investigation of the accident when the DPS Trooper discovered the oversized battery on the auto. The interior of the battery was hollowed out and contained a motorcycle battery to start the vehicle and 6.4 U. S. pounds of a crystal like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

Ibarra
The passenger became suspicious through questions asked by the trooper and the answers given. Consent to search followed and that is when the false aftermarket compartment located within the battery was found.

Carrillo
Ibarra and Carrillo are in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 400-grams and are being held on a $75,000 bond each.
FEMA’s CERT Certification is Free Community Emergency Response Training
Hopkins County Fire Station #20 located on South Texas Street will be the site of three complete sessions of CERT training for citizens who want to learn lifesaving and disaster response skills for readiness in their community and neighborhoods. CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team and Hopkins County is hoping to form a large team of about 100 trained volunteers. CERT certification will be offered through FEMA, sponsored by the Ark-Tex Council of Governments. Out of the ATCOG counties, most teams average about 30 members. If you’d like to be part of the growing local team of men, women and adult-supervised youth, contact the office of Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley at 903-919-8096 or attend the first training session to find out more. Three consecutive Saturday sessions will be held from 8:30 am until 4 pm on February 25, March 4 and March 11 at Fire Station #20 in the upstairs classroom. Following a skills test at the Fire Academy later in March, trainees will become certified. Following certification, team members can be mobilized during times of need such as weather, fire or other local incident to supplement local emergency responders. CERT skills to be taught include lifesaving techniques, basic disaster response, light search and rescue, disaster medical operations, team organization and triage assistance with other community disaster responses.
Garland Man Receives Two Years in Plea Agreement
Wednesday in Eighth Judicial Court during a docket call, Corey James Butler, 28 of Garland, plead guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 over 4-grams but less than 200-grams and was sentenced to two year in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
In November, 2016, Hopkins County Deputies were called to County Road 3502 to check out a suspicious vehicle and a suspicious person. There they found Butler and one other who failed to identify themselves correctly on the first try. They also found 42-grams of a suspected quantity of methamphetamine and securities and benefits obtained under false names.
Butler first identified himself as Christopher Butler but later at Hopkins County Jail admitted to using a wrong name and gave the correct information. Also as he was booked into jail, he was found to have a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine on his person. At the time of his arrest on CR 3502, he was found to have an expandable baton on his person.