UPRA Spring Rodeo April 21, 22 at Civic Center
According to Oscar Aguilar,the Hopkins County Rodeo Committee will present the Spring UPRA Membership Rodeo on Friday April 21 and Saturday April 22 in two 7:30 pm performances. Following Saturday’s rodeo, Monty Tipps and Main Street will perform for a Rodeo Dance. Both rodeo performances will feature nine major events plus children, youth and celebrity events. Pre-sale tickets are available at Circle E Western Store.
Arrest Made on I-30
When a 2007 Mustang was stopped for a traffic violation at 2:35 a.m. on I-30 near the 123-mile marker, the nervous body language of the passenger caught the law enforcement officer’s attention. The driver denied search and the Cumby K-9 unit was called.
The K-9 alerted on the vehicle creating a probable cause search. Both passenger and driver were arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, methamphetamine. The driver, Sharon June Horton, 51, of Fort Worth also was found to have a bottle of multiple types of pills in her clothing. During the search and while being arrested, Horton attempted to dump the pills in the grass and meth in the back seat floor board. She also had narcotics around her mouth where she tried to eat them. She is in Hopkins County Jail charged with possession more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams and with Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent. She is being held on a total of $30,000 in bonds.
Passenger Jacob Dewayne Horton, 25, of Joshua, TX, was charged having more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams in his possession. He is in Hopkins County Jail being held on a $15,000 bond.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System Names Glenney Regional CEO
TYLER, TX – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System has named Chris Glenney, FACHE, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the region’s largest integrated health care system. The announcement comes alongside the recent expansion of CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System in Northeast Texas and the addition of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
Mr. Glenney has been a part of the System since 1998, and has extensive operational and clinical leadership experience across the organization. He became CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Vice President of Operations in 2005, before advancing to Chief Administrative Officer and Senior Vice President of CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic in October 2012. He was made Chief Operating Officer for CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System in 2016, before advancing to his new role of President and Chief Executive Officer.
“With each new day, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System takes another step along our journey of growth and enduring excellence, carrying on the legacy of almost 80 years of dedicated service to the people of East Texas,” said Lindsey Bradley, FACHE, Senior Vice President, Group Operations and Chief Executive Officer, CHRISTUS Health Northeast. “And, each day, we continue taking steps forward to fulfill our Mission, the Mission of CHRISTUS Health, to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. I have the utmost confidence that Mr. Glenney will continue that legacy and will serve the people of this region and the Associates of our System with compassion and integrity.”
“During my almost 20 years as a part of this organization, we have seen some wonderful and dramatic shifts in the health care landscape of East Texas,” said Glenney. “And I’m proud that CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System has been at the forefront in this region, expanding access to nationally-recognized health care services to the people of Northeast Texas, extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ and building upon the legacy set forth by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth some eight decades ago. As we move forward as part of CHRISTUS Health, we seek to continually improve while carrying on the remarkable tradition of service set forth by the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.”
“CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System has been a key part of CHRISTUS Health’s expansion across Northeast Texas,” said Jeff Puckett, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CHRISTUS Health. “Our heritage of providing high-quality, compassionate care to those who need it stretches back 150 years, and we are excited to continue to build upon that mission in Northeast Texas for years to come through the stewardship and direction of Mr. Glenney.”
Glenney earned his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University in College Station before completing his master’s degree in Health Care Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Mr. Glenney has had an active role in volunteerism in Tyler since he joined CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. He is an elder in his church, Grace Community Church, and has served on the board of Grace Community School, a local private institution, for the past six years. Mr. Glenney serves on numerous other community boards in Northeast Texas including CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital (Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro, and Sulphur Springs), Champion EMS, Tyler ContinueCare Hospital and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital. He also has volunteered with Hospice of East Texas, United Way, Encouragement FM (a local Christian radio station), East Texas Chapter for ACHE, and as a coach and broadcaster for youth sports. Finally, Glenney is a graduate of Leadership Tyler Class 24.
Chris has been married to his wife Shannon for 20 years. They have three children: Caleb 17, Joshua 15 and Kate 10. He enjoys watching his kids play sports, spending time with family, and watching Texas A&M.
County, City Settle Lawsuit without Blame in Death of Ross
In a change of interpretation of the magistrate’s ruling, both the City of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County have publicly stated the amount paid to the family of Chance Ross following Monday mediation in Sherman Division of the Eastern District Court of Texas.
Tuesday night the Sulphur Springs City Council approved a sum of $1,000 from the city and $349,000 from the city’s insurance carrier to settle the award. Included in the motion was the statement that in approving the amount, the city admitted no blame in the death of Ross.
Wednesday morning Robert Davis of Flowers and Davis, attorney for Hopkins County in the case, issued the following statement, “On March 6, 2017, Trident Insurance, Hopkins County’s insurance carrier, agreed to pay $65,000 to settle the lawsuit brought by Plaintiffs Shelly and Tony Ross. The insurance carrier determined that it would be less expensive to settle the case than to incur forensic pathologist expert witness fees, law enforcement expert witness fees and attorney’s fees. It was purely an economic decision on the part of the insurance company. The County fully contends that it did absolutely nothing wrong and that this minimal settlement amount reflects so. Plaintiffs have agreed to dismiss all claims against the County and all County officials and employees.”
Both the city and the county see this as a cost saving move and feel that the low amount vindicates both entities. Employees of both entities were covered in the amounts paid.
Shelly and Tony Ross sought damages for emotional distress, medical and funeral expenses, plus attorney fees.
Named in the suit as defendants were the city of Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Sulphur Springs Police Lt. Brad Horton and officers Adrian Pruitt, Brandon Mayes, and Joe Scott, county deputies Nick Floyd and Paul Fenimore, as well as jailer Jeff Hightower. The suit claimed these officers used excessive force, failed to protect, and inflicted emotional distress.
Ross died Sunday March 8th in Trinity Mother Frances Hospital where he had been transferred from Hopkins County Memorial Hospital where he had been taken for emergency treatment following what seemed to be a cardiac arrest while in custody at Hopkins County Jail. A Tyler Justice of the Peace ordered an autopsy (complete autopsy found here) immediately following his death.
Ross, 34, was arrested early Friday evening March 6 by Sulphur Springs’ police officers who responded to a call on Whitworth Street of a shirtless man acting erratically (video from arrest found here). Prior to being booked into Hopkins County Jail he was placed in the padded violence cell where he remained for 11 minutes before being found face down and unresponsive. Officers were able to find a faint pulse and called EMS. CPR was stared at the jail and his pulse was stronger but he was not breathing on his own when he arrived at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital.
According to police reports, Ross was arrested when officers encountered him and he was said to have balled his fist and charged an officer. The officer tazed Ross but Ross was able to pull the wires out and fled. The officer pursued and a fight ensued. Officers said Ross was difficult to contain and they were forced to taze him more than once. Ross continued to resist even when taken to jail according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders.
texas flag courthouse
Wildcats Lose to Tigers in Overtime
The Wildcats lost another tough luck district soccer game as the Mt. Pleasant Tigers rallied to take a 2-1 win in overtime at Mt. Pleasant.
The Wildcats actually scored the game’s first goal in the first half. The Tigers tied the game with a goal and it was 1-1 at halftime. After a scoreless second half, Mt. Pleasant scored the decisive goal in overtime.
The loss hampers the Wildcats’ playoff chances. The Wildcats now have a district record of 3 wins, 2 shootout losses, 6 outright losses and no ties. Their season record is 10-5-4. The Wildcats will face Greenville Friday night at the SSHS Track Complex.
Young’s Hat Trick Qualifies Lady Cats Soccer for Playoffs
The Lady Cats’ soccer team qualified for the playoffs with a 5-3 win over Mt. Pleasant Tuesday night at the SSHS Track Complex. Lady Cats’ freshman Sophie Young scored a three-goal hat trick. Young had the go ahead goal and an insurance goal in the victory.
The Lady Cats got off to a quick start. Jo McMillan scored just a little more than 10 minutes into the contest and the Lady Cats led 1-0. Just over four minutes later, Young scored her first goal and the Lady Cats led 2-0. Mt. Pleasant got a goal to cut the Lady Cats’ lead in half with just over four minutes to play before halftime. Mt. Pleasant tied the score at 2-2 just three and a half minutes into the second half. After Gracie Boyer put the Lady Cats ahead, 3-2 at the 29:35 mark, Mt. Pleasant evened the match once again 3-3 with a goal at the 7:48 mark. Then Young scored the difference makers at 7:02 and just before the end of the game.
The Lady Cats are now 7-3 in district play. The Lady Cats will play at Greenville Friday night on the road.
Lady Cats Begin District Play With Win
The Lady Cats’ softball team opened district play in fine fashion with a 5-1 win at Greenville Tuesday night.
The Lady Cats broke a scoreless tie with single runs in the second and the third innings to take a 2-0 lead. They added two more runs in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead. Greenville scored a single run in the fifth inning but the Lady Cats matched that run in the top of the seventh.
Bailey Haggerty got the pitching win allowing just one run and eight hits in seven innings while striking out 4.
The Lady Cats had eleven hits. Sadie Stroud had three hits and Alyssa Abron and Hannah Crowson had two hits each. Brinklee Driver worked a walk. Among RBI leaders were Alli Fite, Abron and Kalsey Wallace with one apiece.
The Lady Cats are 1-0 in district play and 14-4 for the season. The Lady Cats play Hallsville Friday evening at Lady Cat Park.
Game Day: Soccer and Softball
There is soccer and softball on this Tuesday game day.
The Lady Cats’ softball team will be opening district play at Greenville. The Lady Cats had a successful pre-district campaign. They enter their Tuesday night district opener with a 13-4 record. They played in three tournaments and had a single game at McKinney as well.
The Lady Cats’ soccer team will be at home playing the Mt. Pleasant Lady Tigers. The Lady Cats are currently in second place in the district. They have a 6-3 district record and they are 11-6-2 for the season. A JV contest takes place at 5:30 p.m. with varsity to follow at around 7:15 p.m. We will bring you Lady Cats’ soccer against Mt. Pleasant Tuesday night at around 7:15 p.m. live on KSST Radio. We will also videotape the game for replay on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable at a later date.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ soccer team will try to strengthen their playoff outlook as they will face first place and unbeaten in district play Mt. Pleasant on the road. There will be a JV game at 5:30 p.m.with varsity to follow at around 7 p.m.
Lady Cat Track Team Finish First at Home Meet
Lady Cats Track Coach Triston Abron said it was pretty good that the Wildcats varsity and JV along with his Lady Cats all finished first at the Sulphur Springs Meet held last Friday at the SSHS Track Complex. He said that was the first time it had happened.
Lady Cats’ results Friday included sophomore Abbi Beggs taking second in the discus. The Lady Cats finished second, third and fourth in the shot put. Kaylee Jefferson was second in the high jump. Imani Taylor was first in the long jump. N’ysa Dugan was third. In the triple jump, Taylor was first and Tiara Rose was fifth. Pole vaulter Shelby Alsobrooks earned a point for a sixth place finish in her first competition.
Sydney Washburn was fourth in the 3200-meter run and she also ran well in the 1600-meter run according to Coach Abron. The 4X100-meter relay team was first. Dugan won the 100-meter dash and Sadavia Porter was third. Abbi Baier was first in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. Freshman Brianna Irving was fourth in the 100-meter hurdles. Gracie Boyer and Macie Williams both placed in the 800-meter run. The Lady Cats 4X200-meter relay was first. Taylor was also fourth in the 200-meter race despite a sore ankle. The Lady Cats 4X400-meter relay team finished fourth.
The Lady Cats and Wildcats’ track teams will compete next at a Gilmer meet on Friday.
