Wildcats In Gold Bracket at Longview Tourney
The Wildcats’ basketball team won their way into the top Gold Bracket at the Leroy Romines Memorial Basketball Tournament in Longview Thursday morning with a 69-51 victory over Henderson in pool play. The Wildcats won two out of three in pool play also defeating Pleasant Grove 69-65 Wednesday night. Their only loss was 83-57 to powerful Pro Vision of Houston, a charter school academy, Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday morning the Wildcats led Henderson after one quarter 17-10, then at the half 35-22 and after three quarters 50-37. The Wildcats shot well from beyond the arc hitting ten three-point baskets. Keaston Willis led the Wildcats in scoring with 22 points including 4 three-pointers. Bryson Lynn has 12 points on 4 three-pointers. Dedric Godbolt and Michael Jefferson had 8 points each. Godbolt had two three-pointers. Henderson’s LeKendrick Van Zandt had 16 points.
The Wildcats open play in the quarterfinals of the Gold Bracket Thursday at 7 p.m. The tournament matchmakers did the Wildcats no favors in the bracket, which was redrawn from the original. The Wildcats now face Houston Sam Houston, the #1 rated team in Class 6 A according to some polls. The Wildcats are now 16-3 for the season.
City Mails Refund Checks for Inaccurate Building Permit Fees
Refund checks totaling $195,000 have been mailed by the City of Sulphur Springs following the discovery of inaccurate building permit fees during a review of the budget. During a four year period 618 permits out of 2363, or one in four permits were overcharged.
During the fall of 2012, the City of Sulphur Springs Department of Community Development upgraded its permit process by acquiring and implementing the IWORQ permitting system. The new systems provided many positive changes according to a news release from City Manager Marc Maxwell. He stated, “Unfortunately, its implementation was flawed.” Problems occurred at the time that the Community Development Department was reorganized with a new department head and a new Chief Building Official. As new staff transitioned and as the new program was implemented, some of the permit fees were incorrectly entered. Utilizing those incorrectly entered permit fee amounts, approximately one in four permits issued during the past four years contained overcharges.
Since the discovery of the improperly entered fee amounts in October, the City has taken action to correct the errors going forward. Additionally, during the same period, the City has manually audited every permit issued since the implementation of the IWORQ software. Beginning Thursday, December 29, 2016, the City of Sulphur Springs is issuing refund checks to each person who was overcharged for the building permits they received from the city.
The city of Sulphur Springs has also taken effective action to ensure that this kind of problem does not occur again in the future. We, as a City, strive to maintain an environment that fosters responsible and progressive economic growth and that will not change, according to Maxwell. He stated, “We strive to be a partner to those persons willing to invest in the growth and progress of Sulphur springs. As we move forward, we will continue to promote that partnership, to build on our successes and to create a strong and inviting city.”
Chamber Connection December 29, 2016
New Chamber Directors for 2017-2019!
We would like to welcome the newest Directors to the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. These 6 new individuals will begin serving on the Board of Directors in January 2017. We are thankful to have them!
Kim Beck, City National Bank
Larry Willis, Oncor
Andy Endsley, Hopkins County Fire Department
Renee’ Young, RE/MAX Advanced
Debra Huffman, Nation’s Lending
Amber Gilbert
These volunteers will be joining the current Directors which include: Bradley Edge (Chairman), Butch Burney (Chairman-Elect), Jessica Kultgen (Treasurer), Mitzi Y’Barbo (Vice President – Committees), Chuck Sickles (Vice President – Membership), Garrett Glass (Vice President – Events), Scott Brown, Kelly Humphrey, Charlotte Baxter, Gary Stribling, Lisa Robinson, and Mike Horne.
Attention All Chamber Members…. Membership Directories are being prepared NOW!!!
Advertisements for the 2017 Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory are available from Lee Ann Peugh at Echo Publishing. Our Membership Directory is distributed to over 5,000 people every year, so I highly encourage you to try an advertisement! Please call Lee Ann at (903) 885-8663 to discuss sizes and pricing options. You will not be disappointed! Please note than no other companies will be handling our Membership Directories. Echo Publishing is the ONLY contact. Please contact Lee Ann Peugh with any questions.
Chamber Members, we are going to print a little earlier than normal for the 2017 Membership Directory. We are going to have it ready for distribution the first part of January, so we need you to do a few things…
- Please go to sulphursprings-tx.com and click on the membership directory. Please check to make sure that we have the correct information for your business. We have been trying to check and recheck it, but I’m sure we have overlooked some things.
- If your membership investment is past due, payment arrangements need to be made prior to
December 30th.
- If you find information that needs to be corrected, please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515. If you want to place an ad in the directory, please contact Lee Ann Peugh at Echo Publishing at 903-885-8663.
Would you like to recognize an Outstanding Educator?
Here is your chance…this year the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee wants to allow all Hopkins County Citizens to nominate their candidates for “Outstanding Professional Educator” (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher) “Outstanding Para Professional Educator” (Secretary or Aide) and “Outstanding Auxiliary Educator” (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria). We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to nominate that “special educator” that has had an impact in their lives. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 300 Connally Street and then either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than December 31st! Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected], and our mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize a special educator!
Nominations for Large and Small Business of the Year!
Please submit your nomination for Large Business of the Year or Small Business of the Year. Nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 300 Connally Street and either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than December 31st! Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected] and our mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483.
Additional Chamber of Commerce Banquet Nominations
Many other awards are presented at the Chamber of Commerce membership banquet (February 18, 2016). Aside from the awards mentioned above, nominations are also being accepted for:
Citizen of the Year—Echo Publishing Company—401 Church Street, SS, TX 75482
Woman of the Year—Beta Sigma Phi Organization—P.O. Box 72, SS, TX 75483
Caregiver of the Year—The Pilot Club—P.O. Box 131, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483
Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—P.O. Box 347, SS, TX 75483
Agriculturist of the Year—Professional Ag Workers—c/o Agri-Life Extension, P.O. Box 518, SS TX 75483
Each of these nominations should be submitted in writing and mailed to the above-mentioned address.
Drop In Reception for Texas A&M Commerce’s New President on Monday, January 9th
Guarantee Bank and Trust is hosting a Drop In Reception for Dr. Ray Keck, the new President of Texas A&M – Commerce on Monday, January 9th, from noon until 1 p.m. The reception will be held at Guaranty Bank and Trust, 919 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs.
CHRISTUS Mother Francis Hospital -SS will host Women with Heart on Tuesday, February 7th
CHRISTUS Mother Francis Hospital in Sulphur Springs, along with Advanced Heart Care, present the 2017 Women with Heart Dinner on Tuesday, February 7th, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center. There will be a free dinner and prizes. Women with Heart is an annual program conceived to celebrate and honor women who have survived heart disease. To nominate a woman who has survived and triumphed with the help of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-SS and Advanced Heart Care, please visit the following link. https://www.tmfhc.org/care-treatment/heart/your-heart-health/womens/women-with-heart/. If you have any questions, call Lakan Johnson at 903-438-4462 or e-mail [email protected] / Sherry Moore at 903-439-4062 or e-mail [email protected].
New Members to the Chamber of Commerce…
Welcome to our newest members of the Chamber of Commerce, Mahoney Oaks Retreat and Bobcat Texas.com. We are excited about having you!
Mark your calendars for 2017:
Important Dates to remember for 2017
Chamber Banquet-February 16th
Spring Fever Bike Rally-March 11th
Chamber Golf Tournament-April 14th
Homemade Ice Cream Freeze Off-June 10th
Hopkins County Stew Contest-October 28th
January first marks day one of a 365-day adventure… so say yes to new adventures!!! Happy New Year from the Chamber family to yours!
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
Wildcats Could Qualify for Tourney Top Bracket With Morning Win
The Wildcats’ basketball team split two games in the Leroy Romines Memorial Baketball Tournament at Longview Wednesday.
The Wildcats opened play with a 83-57 loss to powerful Pro Vision of Houston Wednesday afternoon in pool play. Pro Vision led 21-8 after one quarter and 40-23 at the half.
The Wildcats bounced back to defeat Pleasant Grove, 69-65 Wednesday evening. The game was tied 13-13 after one. The Wildcats surged out in front 36-27 at halftime. Pleasant Grove used a big third quarter to take a 49-47 lead after three quarters. The Wildcats rallied to take the win.
Victor Iwuakor sealed the win with a big dunk in the final minute. Iwuakor led the Wildcats with 17 points. Bryson Lynn canned five of the Wildcats 10 three-pointers and had 16 points. Michael Jefferson scored 12 and Ke’Ontae Dunn added 10.
The Wildcats will wrap up pool play against Henderson Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in the Longview practice gym. The top two pool teams head for the Gold Bracket while the bottom two will be in the Silver Bracket.
The Wildcats will qualify for the Gold Bracket with a win over Henderson. Quarterfinal play in both brackets starts Thursday afternoon. The Wildcats are 15-3 for the season going into play on Thursday.
Lady Cats Improve Record in Idabel Tournament
The Lady Cats’ basketball team was raring to go in the Idabel, Oklahoma Warriors Winter Classic Wednesday morning as they soundly defeat Haworth, Oklahoma, 66-34. It was the Lady Cats eighth straight win and improved their season record to 15-3. That streak includes a 3-0 mark in district games.
The Wednesday morning Idabel tournament victory was similar to the Lady Cats, 61-30 victory over Haworth in he tournament last year. This year the Lady Cats got off to a so-so start and were tied with Haworth 14-14 after the first quarter. The Lady Cats outscored Haworth 52-20 the rest of the way.
The Lady Cats got good scoring from starters and from the bench. Kaylee Jefferson led the Lady Cats with 15 points. Autumn Tanton added 12. Sadavia Porter scored 11. Tori Moore and Daieyshia Pruitt had 9 points each. Rita Hill chipped in 6 and Destinee Weeks added 4. Jefferson had 10 rebounds.
The Lady Cats now play either Marlow, Oklahoma or Northwest Classen, Oklahoma at 4 p.m. Thursday.
SSHS Soccer Alumni Games
We promised you times for Wildcats and Lady Cats’ Alumni Soccer Scrimmages as we get them.
The Wildcats’ soccer team will go up against their Alums Saturday with JV action at 5 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs High School Track Field with the Varsity to follow at 7 p.m.
The Lady Cats will play their Alumni scrimmage at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Lady Cats are scheduled to scrimmage at Paris Thursday at 3 p.m. Then they are scheduled to go to Pleasant Grove for scrimmage action Friday at 2:30 p.m.
Saltillo Wins By 1 Over Como-Pickton in Mt Vernon Tournament
The Saltillo Lions’ basketball team won one and lost one on the first day of the Mt. Vernon Classic Tuesday. The Lions opened with a 70-30 loss to Mt. Vernon. Then the Lions won a 48-47 thriller over Como-Pickton.
Como-Pickton had a four point lead after the first quarter and at halftime. The Lions tied the score, 36-36 after three quarters. The Lions outscored Como-Pickton 12-11 in the fourth quarter to win the game. Lyle Bench led the Saltillo scoring with 12 points against Como-Pickton.
Walker McGill scored 10 points, Dakota Patridge had 7, Trevor Moore 6, Clayton Wilson 5, Logan Camp 4 and Ryan Pruitt and Michael Simmons had 2 points each.
The Lions are now 8-11 for the season. Wednesday they play Longview Christian at 10:20 a.m. and Winnsboro at 1 p.m.
In JV action Tuesday, Saltillo defeated Prairiland, 40-17. The Lions JV plays Mt. Vernon and Winnsboro Wednesday.
Community Calendar December 28-January 2
The Sulphur Springs Post Office will be closed on Monday January 2 to observe the New Year’s holiday. Mail will run on Saturday December 31.
The City of Sulphur Springs offices will be closed on Monday January 2.
The Sulphur Springs Public Library will be closed on Saturday December 30 and on Monday January 2.
Hopkins County offices will be closed on Monday January 2.
Local bank closings include: Alliance Bank, City National Bank and Texas Heritage Bank to be closed on Monday January 2. Guaranty Bank and Trust will be closed Saturday December 30 and on Monday January 2.
The SSISD Tax office will be open weekdays through December and will be open on Monday January 2.
Swearing-in ceremonies of Hopkins County office-holders will be held on Sunday January 1, 2017 at 4pm in the District courtroom of the courthouse. The public is invited to attend.
Most property taxpayers can remit their 2016 tax payments by mail as long as the letter is postmarked by December 31, 2016.
Greenville Woman Reported A Burglary; Police Found Meth
December 28, 2016 – Sulphur Springs Police were called to a reported burglary in a room at Royal Inn on South Broadway in Sulphur Springs. There they found a Greenville woman alone in the room. In plain view was less than 1-gram of methamphetamine.
Darla Denette Rittenour
Darla Denette Rittenour, 47, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone, a Felony 3. She is being held in Hopkins County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
District Attorney Ramsay Notes Busy 2016
District Attorney Will Ramsey and staff have concluded a busy 2016. Ramsey noted three major cases in Hopkins County and three in Franklin County that resulted in convictions for murder and one for organized crime.
In January of 2016, an 8th Judicial District Court a Hopkins County jury set the punishment for Stanton Wayne Yates, 30, at four life sentences in state prison and one 20 year prison sentence with a $10,000 fine. The sentences run concurrent by law. Yates was found guilty of four counts of engaging in organized criminal activity and one count of burglary. Approximately 40 witnesses were called by Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison. Yates is one of two Hunt County brothers who were found in Collin County jail for burglary of a habitation. Yates’ brother, Perry Jeff Yates, pled guilty to burglary and was been sentenced to 20 years in the state penitentiary.
In August of 2016, in Eighth Judicial District Court, a Hopkins County Jury having found him guilty assessed a penalty of 99 years without a fine in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for Tilton Joshua Isaiah Mapps in the murder of Jonathan Trahern Young. The jury deliberated for 30 minutes on the guilty verdict but took four hours to determine the penalty. That four hours was separated by a night of having requested they be allowed to “sleep on it”, according to District Judge Eddie Northcutt. In reading the sentence, Northcutt stated that Mapps sentence would be credited for time served since June of 2015 when he was incarcerated in Hopkins County Jail. Mapps will be eligible for parole in 30 years. He will be 51 at the time of eligibility. Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris said that whether the jury had given him 99 years or Life, the sentence was basically the same with eligibility for parole occurring at the same time. Mapps stood stoic as the sentence was read and complied with requirements of paperwork without any hesitation. The final witness on the stand was Mapps. Mapps testified on his own behalf following a number of law enforcement and forensic experts that testified regarding the arrest of Mapps, the ballistic residue found and shell casings found at the sight of the shooting, and the autopsy of Young. The forensic pathologist testified that Young was shot in the chest with the projectile exiting his back. The projectile passed through his heart and other organs. Other projectiles entered his back. The shell casings found at the scene were all fired by the same weapon. In Mapps testimony, he said he was being railroaded and others were playing lying games. Mapps shot Young in an incident in Pacific Park in 2015.
In November, two leaders of the organized crime ring that stole ATV’s in Sulphur Springs and across a three state area made plea agreements in Eighth Judicial District Court Thursday afternoon. Christopher Lee Chambers, 29, was sentenced to 15 years and Dustin Kyle Garcia, 33, to 28 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Both defendants will do one half of the time on their sentence before being eligible for parole, according to Clay Harrison, Assistant District Attorney. In February of this year, Garcia, of Mesquite, was arrested in room 221 at the Seagoville Inn in Seagoville Texas. At that time he was transported to Hopkins County Jail. In April Chambers, of Maybank was arrested. Approximately $234,000 in stolen property has been recovered including six (6) units from the November theft at Nor-Tex Tractors and eight (8) units stolen from other jurisdictions in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas.
In October, a Franklin County Jury sentenced James Crawford, 21 to Life without parole in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice following a two week and a day trial in Eighth Judicial Court there. Crawford, of Talco, was tried for the murder of 75-year old Kenneth Raley of Mt. Vernon. The body of Raley was found in his Miller Street home. The home had also been burglarized. Crawford was tried for Capital Murder but did not face the death penalty. Working on a tip, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department arrested Crawford for the capital murder in Mt. Vernon in September, 2015. He was arrested in an apartment in Marshall.
In 2016, the step-mom of a Franklin County child plead guilty to the murder of the child that occurred in December 2015. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Mount Vernon Police Department assisted by the Texas Rangers investigated the murder of six year old Wesley Benjamin “Ben” Roycroft, at the Logan’s Pointe Apartments on Whitten Drive in Mount Vernon. They arrested Christie Lynn Roycroft, a 30 year old female and step-mother to Benjamin. She was taken into custody at the scene by responding and charged with Capital Murder.
In March, 2016, Scott Everett Shine was found guilty of three counts of engaging in organized crime in Franklin County. It was the third day of his trial. Ramsay said some called Shine Franklin County’s number one methamphetamine dealer. In January, 2016 pretrial, district court records show he faced two counts of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance over 4-grams and under 200-grams, one count of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance under 4-grams, and three counts of engaging in organized crime. The range of activity stretched from November 2014 to December 2015.
