Commissioners’ Court Proclaims Civil Air Patrol Week
Hopkins County Commissioners’ Court proclaimed November 28-December 4, 2016 Civil Air Patrol Week in Hopkins County. The following proclamation was read during Monday’s Court Session:
Civil Air Patrol 75th Anniversary
CAP Week
WHEREAS, Civil Air Patrol was established on Dec. 1, 1941, to supplement the U.S. military during World War II; and
WHEREAS, In 1948 CAP was designated as the U.S. Air Force’s official auxiliary with three missions – emergency services, cadet programs and aerospace education; and
WHEREAS, Since CAP’s beginning, the organization has set itself apart during the country’s most tumultuous times: Locating and sinking enemy submarines during World War II, assisting rescuers and state agencies immediately following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, heavily supporting hurricane relief efforts in 2005 and 2008 and more recently in response to the Gulf oil spill, as well as aiding communities during other natural disasters, such as floods, wildfires, ice storms and tornadoes; and
WHEREAS, CAP further provides vital homeland security missions that help ensure the protection of the nation’s capital and the nation as a whole by assisting Air Force pilots with target-intercept training as well as the military with acquiring distant targets; and
WHEREAS, CAP provides exceptional educational and growth opportunities for youth through its nearly 26,000-member strong cadet program, which annually provides access to top national summer flight academies to learn to fly powered or glider aircraft, as well as to approximately 30 national programs emphasizing leadership and careers in aviation; and
WHEREAS, CAP’s Aerospace Education Program annually touches more than 1,800 educators, more than 40,000 youths — cadets and others in classrooms across America — teaching multidisciplinary aviation concepts that emphasize aviation’s connection to history, math, science, government and economics; and
THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Hopkins County Commissioners Court hereby commends CAP for its “Missions for America” and its outstanding cadet and aerospace programs, which annually touch the lives and ensure the safety of thousands of American citizens; and
NOW, THEREFORE WE, the Hopkins County Commissioners Court, hereby proclaim November 28, 2016 through December 4, 2016 as “CIVIL AIR PATROL WEEK” In Hopkins County, and we encourage all citizens to join in the observance.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the Hopkins County Commissioners’ Court at the regularly scheduled meeting on the 28th day of November, 2016.
Heroin Found as Officer Seeks to Assist Motorist
Noting a silver four-door passenger car sitting on the side of the road in the 200 block of Wildcat Way, a Hopkins County deputy stopped to assist the motorist Sunday at 11:37 p.m. Ryan ONeal Smith, 33, of Sulphur Springs was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle. His speech was slurred and he didn’t seem to know what was happening around him according to the officer’s report.
Smith said he had hit something causing a flat tire. The officer noted in plain view orange caps from syringes in the driver’s door pocket. Smith said there was nothing illegal in the vehicle and gave consent to search. In the center console were three syringe containing brown liquid substance. Smith said it was heroin.
Smith is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, over 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Names Remain on Golden Agers Tree
At the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens’ Center, 56 names remain on the Golden Agers Tree. Director Karon Weatherman invites the public to “…find it in your heart…” to pick a name from the tree.
Each tag has a name, address, size, and what the senior wants for Christmas. Weatherman says you can adopt a senior citizen for Christmas giving between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. She said this year over 160 names were placed on the Golden Agers Tree.
Hopkins County Court Meets Monday
Monday, November 28 at 9 a.m. in the first floor courtroom of the Hopkins County Courthouse, county commissioners will consider approving the recommendations of the selection committee for the award of contracts for administration to Amazing Grants and engineering services to Hayes Engineering, Inc. for the county’s anticipated 2017/2018 Texas County Bridge grant.
County Extension agents will be present at commissioners’ court to present an extension interpretation. Hopkins County Precinct 1 and Miller Grove Cemetery Association will enter into an agreement if approved.
The court will consider Precinct 1 employees returning to a five day work week and work eight (8) hours each day. They had been working a four day, 10-hour work week.
The court will consider appointments to the 2017/2018 term of service for the county historical commission. The court will also approve a proclamation for Civil Air Patrol Week.
Immediately following the court session, work sessions with the civic center manager; hold a discussion on environmental operations, meet with Tom Glosup regarding the Courthouse Roof, and meet with Tim Kelty to discuss transportation in Hopkins County. A budget work session will conclude the series.
Stolen Lexus and Identifying Information Lead to Arrest
November 26, 2016 – When officers responded to the 600 block of Church Street at 3:22 p.m. Friday afternoon, they found a stolen vehicle and Jake Adam Blount, 22, of Longview who had taken the vehicle along with identifying information of the Sulphur Springs resident/owner of the Lexus.
Jake Adam Blount
While the officers were at the location, Blount walked up but when he saw them, he immediately tried to leave the area. Sulphur Springs police officers stopped him and patted him down for security. Blount gave consent to search his pockets. There the officer found the Lexus key fob, two credit cards, and a black wallet containing another credit card and the driver’s license of the vehicle owner.
Blount admitted to taking methamphetamine and possibly Xanax. He was taken into custody and EMS was called. He was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital—Sulphur Springs ER. From there, he was taken to Hopkins County jail.
Blount is charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle and Fraud Use/Possession of Identifying Information, Number of Items less than 5. He had been in Hopkins County jail May, 2016 until July 7, 2016 for Evading Arrest Detention and Violation of Parole.
High Speed, Resisting Arrest, Garland Man Jailed
Desmond Steven-Demario Watts, 31, of Garland was traveling at 88 mph in a 75 mph zone on I-30 when he was stopped by Cumby Police Thursday.
As the officer approached the vehicle the strong smell of marijuana was noted. Watts as asked numerous times to exit the vehicle but he refused. As the officer attempted to assist by opening the door, Watts locked the driver-side door. He did eventually open the door but refused to exit the vehicle. The officer deployed his taser.
With the arrest completed, a probable cause search of the vehicle found a plastic container with a large baggie of marijuana, a small clear plastic bag of marijuana, and a clear plastic baggie of methamphetamine.
Watts is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, under 1-gram, Resisting Arrest Search or Transport, and Possession of Marijuana.
Post-Thanksgiving Hours For Local Banks
Going to the bank on this post-Thanksgiving Friday? If so, Alliance Bank is closing all locations at 3 p.m. today, City National Bank is closing their lobby at 4 p.m. and all drive thru locations at 5 p.m. Guaranty Bank and Trust will be open regular hours today. Saturday City National and Guaranty Bank and Trust will be open during normal drive-thru morning hours.
An Apple A Day
AN APPLE A DAY On their final class day Tuesday before Thanksgiving holidays, students at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus stepped up to a caramel apple bar where they enjoyed apple slices dunked in caramel and topped with sweets of their choice. Taking advantage of this special treat were, from left, students Karol Williams, Agustin Cuevas and Mattie Poteet.
Tira News
by Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Fay Burns, mother of Linda Petty of Tira. She passed away on Sunday, November 20th and was buried on Wednesday. Please be in prayer for the family.
We also want to be in prayer for the family of Bobby McDonald. He was so good to cover the news in our county and the surrounding area. I appreciate him including the Tira News on his Front Porch News Website. He will be missed. I always appreciate the News Telegram, Cooper Review, and KSST Radio including our news, too.
Robert, Yvonne, Wesley, Dustin, and Natalie Weir and Natalie’s niece, Maria, went to six Flags on Wednesday. Yvonne commented that it was crowded, but they had fun. Wesley spen Thanksgiving Day with his friend Sarah, in Plano. She adds, “We are celebrating Thanksgiving on Friday with our whole family.”
Kim and Lee Beck had his mom, Sue Beck, from Sulphur Springs, over for Thanksgiving. Daughter, Maddie Beck, came in from Grapevine to join them. Kim says, “Great time for all.”
Floyd and Martha Payton want to thank the Tira Council and community for the “wonderful meal provided to the Payton family” during their time of sorrow.
Landon, Laiken, and Rylan Joslin went to pick up Dixie, Rylan’s sister, and bring her to Tira for a few days. They all spent Friday evening through Saturday morning at Piney Shores Resort on Lake Conroe, where they enjoyed playing mini-golf and board games. Chip and I kept Brailon and Slaiden Joslin, while they were gone. They enjoyed getting to play on their riding toys, and not having to be in their car seats for the long trip.
We began our Thanksgiving celebration on Monday evening with hamburgers, hot dogs, and homemade ice cream, while Dixie was here. Landon, Laiken, and the kids, plus Tiffany, Kenden, Jaidyn, Morgan and his friend, Alexis, were here. Our granddaughter, Jaidyn, rode with Chip and me to take Dixie home to Sour Lake (near Beaumont) on Wednesday. Our son, Delayne, arrived from Waco on Thursday evening. Tiffany was with us, too, and we celebrated Thanksgiving with grilled steaks. Kenden and Jaidyn were with their dad, Malcolm, and his family on Thanksgiving Day. Our whole family will be gathering to celebrate with turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings today (Friday).
The community Christmas party is coming up on Saturday, December 10th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Tira Community Center. Brisket will be provided. Residents should bring side dishes and desserts and come enjoy visiting with neighbors. Also, we will be collecting canned goods (preferably gallon-size) for the Meal-a-Day program in Sulphur Springs. There will be a brief Christmas program, following the meal, and then Santa is planning to stop by and visit with the children.
The Tira City Council will meet on Tuesday, December 6th, for their regular quarterly meeting. Afterward, they will be decorating the center for the Christmas party. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
I hope that you are all enjoying the Thanksgiving holidays. I look forward to more reports for the next column.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
