Gordon Withdraws Appeal; Begins 7-Year Sentence
David Gordon, 56, turned himself into Hopkins County Wednesday, February 1, 2017 to begin a seven year sentence for DWI 3rd. Gordon was sentenced to seven years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for his third DWI conviction in September of 2016. He has been out of jail on an appeal bond from that time until Wednesday, when he withdrew his appeal. His third arrest for DWI resulted from an accident in May 2015 that sent a Hopkins County teenager to then Hopkins County Memorial Hospital. Gordon had received felony probation for his two previous DWI 3rd convictions, according to the District Attorney’s office.
In testimony during his trial it was established that Gordon was riding a motorcycle and at the intersection of Carter and Calvert Street on Sunday night May 30, 2015 around 8:45 p.m. when his cycle hit one of three bicycle riders on the street. Two riders were able to avoid the accident by going to opposite sides of the street.
Due to injuries to Gordon a field sobriety test could not be administered and a blood draw was necessary to test his blood alcohol level. Gordon’s eye was swollen shut as well as other facial swelling. He refused the test. Sulphur Springs Police Officer Eddie Moon then acquired a search warrant for the blood draw that was signed by County Judge Robert Newsom. His blood alcohol level was 0.263 well over the 0.08 level for drunk driving.
Local attorney and former District Attorney Frank Long represented Gordon. Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison prosecuted the case.
Roof Replacement at Courthouse Affects Downtown Traffic
Traffic congestion around Celebration Plaza, the Dining District, and the Hopkins County Courthouse during the mid-morning hours Wednesday can be credited in part to work on the courthouse roof. The $600,000-plus roof replacement will continue for some time as contractors continue their work on the steep roof.
The new slate roof promises to last 40 years.
Filing for Area School Board May 6th Election Continues
Here’s a look at school board elections in the area through Wednesday February 1. Final day to file for the May 6th election is February 17th.
With three positions up for election this year, Mt Vernon ISD currently has two packets returned of the ten packets requested for filing for the May 6th school board election. Millisa Dunvavant and Brook Bussell have filed.
Those seats that will be open are currently held by Board Vice President Steve Asay, Secretary Allison Rios, and board member Marie Latortue. Of the three seats, only Asay has picked up a packet but is yet to file.
For School Board in Sulphur Springs, both incumbents, Robbin Vaughn and Robert Cody, filed for re-election on the first day available. No others have filed at this time. Mrs. Vaughn was elected to the Board in 2014. She is the current Vice President of the board. Robert Cody was elected to the Board in 2014 and is board secretary.
For Como-Pickton School Board, incumbents Jim Murray, Greg Anglin, and Mark Humphrey have filed for re-election. Also filing are Jessica Pegues and Brittney Wright Smith. Como-Pickton has entered the search for a new Superintendent.
At Yantis, Jennifer McKeever, April Johnson and Melissa Stephens have filed.
Filing dates for the May 6th election continue through February 17.
Jake Couch and SSHS FFA Students Shine at Ft Worth Stock Show!
Dairy Cattle Show Jan 14th- Jan 16th
Jake Couch showed his Brown Swiss Dairy heifer Jan 15th and 16th placing 1st in both the Open and Junior Show classes.
Beef Heifer Shows and Calf Scramble Jan 19th- Jan 23rd
Saturday Heifer Results:
Hayden Daniels placed 6th with his Charolais heifer.
Kassie Northcutt placed 5th with her Beefmaster heifer.
Breanna Sells placed 13th with her Beefmaster heifer.
Josh Couch placed 19th with his Hereford heifer.
Brennan Murray placed 10th with his Polled Hereford heifer.
Saturday Night Rodeo Scramble Results:
Brennan Murray, Blaine Flemens, and Phillip Rater participated in the Calf Scramble event of Saturday Nights Rodeo.
If these students could catch a loose 200lb calf, put a halter on it and lead it to the winners square in the Rodeo arena then they get a $500 certificate to put towards purchasing a show heifer for next year, if they do not catch then Justin Boot Company gives them a complimentary pair of boots.
Blaine Flemens was the only student from Sulphur Springs to successfully catch a heifer that night andreceive the certificate. The other 2 boys gave it all they had and will be participating in the scramble again this Friday and next Friday.
***Update: Brennan Murray caught in the 2pm scramble and Phillip Rater caught in the 7:30pm scramble on Friday Jan 27th****
Sunday Heifer and Swine Results:
Blaine Flemens placed 2nd with his Santa Gerturdis heifer and went in for Division Champion Heifer. (Very big deal at Major Beef heifer Shows).
Josh Couch showed his Chester White gilt in a very hard breeding gilt class.
Monday Heifer Results:
Cash Vititow placed 3rd with his Red Brahman heifer.
I am extremely proud of all of these students and all of the hard work they put into their projects and events. Last year we had 2 show heifers going to majors and we have grown to 7 Beef Heifers at Ft. Worth and 6 going to Houston in March; in addition a Dairy heifer going to Houston and a Gilt going to San Angelo for the Texas Bred Gilt sale.
Again thanks for making all of this possible for these students. If you see these students please congratulate them on all they have done.
Thanks,
John Holland
SS FFA Advisor
Retaliation Against Local Judge Results in Arrest
Threats against a member of the judicial system in Hopkins County landed Robert Alan Hawkins, 51, of Dallas in Hopkins County Jail charged with Obstruction or Retaliation and held on a $250,000 bond.
When threats were made the local judge contacted Lewis Tatum, Hopkins County Sheriff. Tatum called on the Texas Rangers and the U S Marshalls to locate Hawkins. He was found by the Rangers and Marshalls working on a construction site in Plano, where he was a carpenter’s helper.
Wildcats Basketball Wins Fifth in a Row
The Wildcats’ basketball team build a lead over three quarters against Texas High and then traded baskets in the fourth quarter on the way to a 61-49 win in Wildcats Gym Tuesday night.
After leading the Tigers 12-10 after one quarter, the Wildcats increased their lead to 26-16 at the half. The Wildcats upped their advantage to 45-32 after three quarters.
Post Victor Iwuakor was a tough match up for Texas High and he scored a game high 19 points. Michael Jefferson added 14 points including 3 three pointers. Dedric Godbolt and Keaston Willis had 9 points apiece. Senior Ke’Ontae Dunn scored 4 first quarter points and then seemed to tweak an ankle after coming down with a rebound early in the second quarter. He did not return. Dane Rutherford also scored 4 points and Simeon Taylor had 2 points. Quan Hampton hit 5 three pointers and led Texas High with 15 points.
The Wildcats improved to 8-1 in district play. They have qualified for the playoffs and can finish no worse than third in district. The Wildcats season record is now 23-5 and they have won five games in a row.
After a bye, the Wildcats travel to Mt. Pleasant next Tuesday night hoping to avenge their only district loss of the season.
Wildcats Soccer Sustains Shoot Out Loss at Home
The Marshall Mavericks scored on six of seven penalty kicks to edge the Wildcats, 6-5 in a shootout Tuesday night at the SSHS Track and Soccer Complex. The final Wildcats kicker hit the crossbar.
The Wildcats got successful PK goals from Roberto Lira, Chris Espinoza, Julio Robles, Gerardo Arellano and Angel Tavera. The shootout followed a wild overtime that saw each team score a goal. After a scoreless first ten minutes of overtime, Marshall scored at the 6:22 mark in the second half. Less than four minutes later, with only 2:38 to go, Espinoza scored to tie the game at 3-3.
During regulation, Marshall scored first and then the Wildcats tie the match at 1-1 on a goal by Espinoza. The Wildcats went up 2-1 in the second half on a goal by Arellano. Marshall later tied the score at 2-2 to force overtime.
The Wildcats now have a shoot out loss and outright loss in two district games for one point out of a maximum of six. Marshall earned 2 points for the shootout win. The Wildcats’ season record is 7-2-2.
The Wildcats travel to Texas High Friday night.
Lady Cats Defeat Texas High to Keep District Record Perfect
The Lady Cats’ basketball team got off to a good start and outscored Texas High in every quarter on the way to a 77-50 win at Texarkana Tuesday night. The Lady Cats led 24-13 after one quarter, 41-27 at the half and 65-39 after three quarters.
Autumn Tanton led the Lady Cats in scoring with 20 points. Sadavia Porter added 16 points, Kaylee Jefferson scored 12 points and Daieyshia Pruitt chipped in 11 points. Destinee Weeks scored 9 points off the bench, Tori Moore scored 7 points and Rita Hill 2 points. Moore and Pruitt both hit 2 three-pointers.
The Lady Cats were again red hot shooting 57% from the field including a solid 4 of 10 from three point range. The Lady Cats hit 17 of 28 free throws for 61%. Jefferson led the Lady Cats with 10 rebounds giving her a double double in points and rebounds. Pruitt had 7 rebounds, Moore 6 and Tanton 5. Jefferson and Tanton had 2 blocks apiece. Porter and Jefferson had 3 steals each. Tanton had 3 deflections. The Lady Cats had 20 assists and Porter led the team with 7. The Lady Cats had 18 turnovers but committed only 9 fouls.
The Lady Cats remain in first place in district with an 11-0 record. They will either finish first or second in district. The Lady Cats are now 25-3 for the season and have won 18 straight games.
After a bye Friday, the Lady Cats complete district play with a showdown with second place Mt. Pleasant in Wildcats Gym next Tuesda
County Investigators Recover Caterpillar Stolen From Cumby Construction Site
Reported stolen Monday morning from a construction site just off Interstate 30 near Cumby, a $64,000 Caterpillar skid steer loader was recovered Tuesday afternoon in Henderson County by Hopkins County Investigator Wade Sheets and Chief Investigator Charles Humphreys.
They also recovered a 40 foot Big Tex Dovetail Trailer stolen in Arkansas.
More on this story Wednesday.
Sulphur Bluff Schools Closed Until Thursday Due to Flu Epidemic
According to a report to KSST News, Sulphur Bluff schools are closed through Wednesday as staff sanitizes the entire school. The school was closed Tuesday due to a flu epidemic that has affected a number of students.
The closing of the school is not only to allow for sanitizing but also to give those ill time at home for rest and to keep other students from spreading the flu germs and becoming ill.
Classes are set to resume Thursday according to a school spokesperson.
