Cumby PD Nabs Two Garland Men Transporting Drugs, Money
Driving in the left lane without passing and having a defective license plate light on an older model silver Infiniti motivated a traffic stop at the 110-mile marker on I-30 by Cumby police at 11:40 p.m. Sunday night. The officer located a substantial amount of marijuana, ecstasy, drug paraphernalia, and at least $4500 in cash.
The driver, Austin Olly Kethvong, 18, of Garland was arrested for Possession of Marijuana over 4 oz. but under 5 lbs., Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 2, over 4-grams but under 400-grams, manufacturing/delivery of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Use of a Criminal Instrument, and Failure to Identify by giving false information. He is in Hopkins County Jail on bonds totaling $66,000.
The passenger, Juan Carlos Banda, 18, of Garland, is charged with Possession of Marijuana over 4 oz. but under 5 lbs., Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 2, over 4-grams but under 400-grams, manufacturing/delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Use of a Criminal Instrument. He is in Hopkins County Jail on bonds totaling $65,000.
Changes Coming to College Financial Aid Process
The first step to applying for financial aid to any higher education institution is to fill out a FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is the required first step before applying for Pell Grants and scholarships.
Prior to the recent change, applicants had to wait for January to fill out a FAFSA and use the preceding year’s tax returns. Now, those wanting aid for the 2017-2018 school year can fill out a FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2016 instead of waiting until January 2017.
“This is called ‘Early FAFSA’ or ‘Prior-Prior Year,'” said Paris Junior College Financial Aid Director Linda Slawson. “It means you can use information from the 2015 tax return to fill out the FAFSA instead of waiting to use 2016 tax returns.
“We highly recommend using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT), which lets you transfer data directly from your tax return into the FAFSA from the IRS website. You can find the IRS DRT through the FAFSA website by going to fafsa.ed.gov. That will save you time and effort and reduce mistakes.”
Using the IRS DRT also means an applicant won’t need to provide tax transcripts to the Financial Aid Office if the student is selected for federal Verification.
Need more information? Contact the PJC Financial Aid Office at 903-782-0429.
Cross Country Finish Strong at Hallsville Meet
At a cross country meet last Friday in Hallsville, the Lady Cats finished third and the Wildcats were fifth. Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks said the teams had a good week of training going into the Hallsville meet and he added some of the runners might have had tired legs.
The Lady Cats were led by senior Lauren Helm. The team’s second finisher was Hannah Dixon and Gracie Boyer was third.
The Wildcats took a small step back during this meet according to Coach Hicks. He said the team’s new phase of training was responsible. Top finisher for the Wildcats was again Peyton Vickery. Landon Thornton finished next for the Wildcats followed by Eli Sellers and Andrew Escobar. Coach Hicks said three runners battled for the team’s key fifth place finisher, the last one that scores points for the team. That trio included Nabian Ramirez, Ed Ramirez and Alex Estrada.
The Wildcats and Lady Cats will compete next Saturday at a big meet in Lovejoy. Coach Hicks said the teams would face some of the best competition they would see all year.
TxDOT Begins Work on Two County Road Bridges This Week
PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that two new county road bridges will soon be constructed in Hopkins County. Work on this project will begin the week of Sept. 19, 2016.
The contractor, CDM Holdings LLC, New Boston, Texas, will construct new bridges on CR 361-4 (HCR 1146) at Big Creek, and on CR 599-1 (HCR 4725) at a tributary of the Sulphur River. The contractor was granted 128 working days, weather permitting, to complete this project with an estimated cost of more than $565,000.
TxDOT officials said the contractor will begin work on CR 599-1 (HCR 4725) and move to the second site after the first bridge is completed. They anticipate the project will be complete by Feb. 17, 2017. The road at these sites will be closed while the bridges are being replaced, officials said.
They encouraged motorists who frequently travel these roads to use alternate routes while the work is underway. They also requested that motorists obey all warning signs and other traffic controls when traveling in these areas, and reduce speed when approaching or driving through work zones.
Young Back in Hopkins County Jail
Christian Dior Young, 27, is in Hopkins County Jail for bond forfeiture on a Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, over 4-grams but under 200-grams and for Violation of Parole (Austin). Young, who gives a Rowlett address was arrested at a location on Freeman Street in Sulphur Springs Saturday.
Thursday afternoon may 26, 2016, in 8th Judicial District Court, Young was sentenced to three (3) years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance PG 1 (methamphetamine) more than 4 grams and less than 200 grams. He was indicted in February of this year for the possession.
Young had meth in his sock when arrested near the Douglas School campus, a drug free zone. He has been in prison once before and after today, if he is convicted of a third degree felony again, he will be sentenced to 25 years to life under the habitual offender statute.
Running Errands Ruins Weekend for Bail Jumper
Jodice Oliver Macon
While running errands, Jodice Oliver Macon, 24, caught the attention of a Peace Officer. The officer confirmed a Hopkins County warrant for Macon for Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear Felony. He also is being held on a charge for bond forfeiture for Sex Offenders Duty to Register for Life.
Macon was seen exiting a business and entering his vehicle and then pulling into another business where the officer confronted Macon. He is in Hopkins County Jail on a $15,000 bond for Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear Felony 3 as well as the forfeited $30,000 bond.
Disturbance Leads to Narcotics Arrest
Sulphur Springs, TX – September 19, 2016 – A disturbance involving individuals wanting money at Helm Lane Apartments resulted in a call to law enforcement and the eventual arrest of two men who lived in the apartment.
Three residents of the apartment were involved in the disturbance. The officer asked and received permission to search the apartment for anyone else hiding there and to make sure the disturbance was not narcotics related. During the search a large amount of narcotic paraphernalia was found along with narcotic mushrooms weighing 8.7 grams along with miscellaneous pills. Two residents in the rooms where the narcotics were located were arrested.
Tyler Evan Ballard
Tyler Evan Ballard 21, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 2A over 4-grams and under 200-grams, a Felony 2. Also arrested was 21 year-old Dustin Lee Churchman for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 less than 1-gram and possession of drug paraphernalia, a State Jail Felony. Ballad is held on a $20,000 bond and Churchman on a $5,000 bond.
Dustin Lee Churchman
SSISD Dismisses One Hour Early September 23rd
All students and staff in the Sulphur Springs ISD will be released an hour early on Friday, September 23rd, according to Rusty Hardin, SSISD Assistant Superintendent. Buses will also run one hour ahead of their regular schedule.
SSISD asks families to “Please make this adjustment to your family schedule for the afternoon of Friday, September 23rd.”
“Update” Cumby Student Dies in Accident; Second Student Seriously Injured: Names Released
September 19, 2016 – One Cumby High School student died and a second student was injured Sunday Afternoon when the tire blew on the truck in which they were riding and the truck flipped, according to Cumby Police. The accident happened near Campbell at the I-30 Service Road and FM513.
Brandon Brown, 16, driver of the vehicle, was injured in the accident. He was transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas where he is reported to be in serious condition. Kailey Robb, 15, a passenger in the vehicle did not survive the accident. A gofundme site has been set up for her family.
Cumby ISD has asked area districts to have counselors on stand-by for the school students and community. Following first period roll check, all students assembled in the high school gym. Counselors and adults from local churches were present to assist students and staff. The counselors will be available in the school library all day Monday.
As more information is made available, this news story will be updated.
