**Updated** Double Stabbing Saturday Morning; Victims in Area Hospitals; Suspect in Custody
A double stabbing early Saturday morning resulted in two brothers being flown to medical hospitals in two separate cities, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders.
Name: ROLAND,MELDRICK DEWAYNE Alias: MEL,XXX Alias: ROLAND,MEL
Sulphur Springs Police were called to apartments on 512 Church Street in reference to a disturbance. There they found a 16-year old male and a 21 year old male, brothers, stabbed by another subject. The suspect, Meldrick Roland, went to Hopkins County Sheriff’s office and turned himself in following the incident. Roland is in custody at this time. He was also wanted on several warrants by local police.
Sanders stated that officers are not sure of the cause of the stabbing. Investigator David Gilmore is leading the investigation into the incident. One brother was critical and was flown to Tyler Mother Francis Hospital and the other brother was flown to Medical City in Plano.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Wildcats Defeat Greenville; In Four Way Tie for Third
The Wildcats’ football team broke a three game losing streak in district and put themselves right back in the thick of the race for a playoff spot with a solid 28-7 win over the Greenville Lions in Greenville Friday night. The Wildcats wrap up district play with a senior night game at Prim Stadium against Hallsville next Friday night with the winner advancing into the playoffs and the loser left out. The Wildcats are now in a four way tie for third place in the district at 2-3. They are 3-6 for the season.
After holding Greenville to open the game Friday night, the Wildcats drove 52 yards for a touchdown. Back Lawrence Worth scored from one yard out and the Wildcats led 7-0. The Lions were penned down inside their own 5 yard line after a mishandled kickoff but talented Greenville back Cadamion Hale electrified the home crowd by running 98 yards for the tying touchdown.
The Wildcats scored twice in the second quarter to take command of the game. Quarterback Ryan Humphries scored on a two yard run to complete a 70 yard scoring drive at the 8:41 mark. Just over three minutes later, back Colton Allen scored on a nine yard run to complete a 59 yard scoring drive. The Wildcats led 21-7 at the half.
The Wildcats completed the scoring in the game in the third quarter as Allen scored his second touchdown of the night. The Lions threatened late in the game but the Wildcats defense came up big as they had time and time again in this game forcing the Lions to turn the ball over on downs.
Difficult Choice
The most difficult thing about cupcake snack day at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center is choosing the right icings and toppings. Above Alissa Wagner and Marcus Beumer stop at the snack table between classes and select their favorites, while PJC Student Activities Coordinator Leanna Swart puts icing on a few cupcakes.
Game Day: Wildcats at Greenville; Lady Cats’ in Warm Up for Playoffs
Friday night the Wildcats’ football team faces the Greenville Lions at T.A. Cotton Ford Stadium in Greenville in a huge game for the Wildcats due to playoff implications. The Wildcats are hoping to win Friday and then wrap up a playoff spot with a win over Hallsville at home next week. The Wildcats are 1-3 in district play and 2-6 overall. Greenville is 0-4 in district play and 1-7 for the season. The Lions are coached by Darren Duke in his first year as Lions head coach. He replaced a good friend, longtime coach Marvin Sedberry, who retired after last season. The Wildcats are coached by former Wildcat star player Greg Owens, in his 11th year as Wildcats Coach. Coach Owens is 3-1 against Greenville as coach here. The lone loss came in Greenville last year, a 21-13 Lions win. We’ll bring you all the game action on KSST radio as the Wildcats tangle with the Lions. We will also videotape the game for replay on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable Sunday at 8 p.m. and Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats’ volleyball team will be preparing for the playoffs as they have a warm up game at Emory Rains Friday at 5 p.m. The Lady Cats are 30-10 this season and will open the playoffs against Forney in a bi-district match at Edgewood Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Wildcats’ Football Stats Prior to Greenville Game
Here are the latest Wildcats’ football stats entering the Greenville game Friday night. The Wildcats are 2-6 overall and 1-3 in district play. They are currently in sixth place in the district standings.
For the season, the Wildcats are averaging 25.9 points a game and are giving up 36.9 points per game. In district games, the Wildcats are averaing 22 points a game and are giving up 29.8 points per game. The Wildcats offense is second in the district averaging 366.8 yards per game. The Wildcats defense is fifth best in the district giving up 378.8 yards per game. The Wildcats are a minus 1 in turnovers. They have lost 5 fumbles and had 8 pass interceptions for a total of 13. The Wildcats have recovered 8 fumbles and have intercepted 4 passes for 12 total. That’s minus 1.
In rushing, back Searn Rodgers is the team leader with 476 yards. He’s number 8 in district. Back Colton Allen is 13th best in district with 304 yards. Quarterback Ryan Humphries is the district’s number 2 passer having completed 112 of 204 passes, that’s 55%, for 1523 yards with 14 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Receiver Simeon Taylor is the district’s #1 receiver with 48 catches for 724 yards and 6 TDs. Receiver Cor”Tavius Pruitt is tied for tenth in district with 13 catches. In punting, Angel Tavera is number 2 in district averaging 33.73 yards on 30 punts. Taylor is number 5 in district in punt returns averaging 5.75 yards on 4 returns.
In kickoff returns, Cason Goodson is nunber 9 in district averaing 19.29 yards on 7 returns. In interceptions, safety D.J. Abron is tied for second in district with 2 pick offs. In scoring by kickers, Tavera is #3 in district with 33 points on 21 kicks after touchdowns and 4 field goals. On defense, leaders in tackles plus assists are linebacker Jaxon Reneau with 43, Abron and linebacker Easton Silman with 40 each, linebacker Lawrence Worth with 37, linebacker Daniel Moreno and defensive tackle D’Idrec Dugan with 35 each and defensive tackle Haven Tennison with 32. In sacks, Dugan has 6, Tennison with 3 and Silman with 2. Eight players have recovered fumbles: Silman, cornerback Terrell Turman, safety Austin Dodd, cornerback Damiyon Dugan, Abron, Moreno, defensive tackle Jose Rodriguez, and safety Tray Dial.
Local Resident Gets Yellow Rose of Texas Award
The Yellow Rose of Texas Award is bestowed, from the Governor’s office, in recognition of women who have made significant contribution to their communities and to Texas in the preservation of Texas history. This award was given to Corrine Snow of Sulphur Springs on October 28, 2016. At 112 years of age, Corrine is the oldest person in Texas, the 7th oldest in the United States and the 47th oldest person in the world. Her family gathered around for photos of the honor, bestowed by Dan Flynn of the Texas House of Representatives on behalf of Governor Greg Abbott.
Early Voting Available This Weekend; First Week Numbers Consistent
Early voter turnout continues to be consistent with 761 votes cast Thursday for a total of 3,288 voters out of the approximately 22,000 registered Hopkins County voters having cast a ballot with one week remaining.
The last day for the election officials to receive a ballot by mail or paper ballot is October 28th. This weekend, the early voting place will be open Saturday 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Sunday one may vote early from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.
County Clerk Debbie Shirley reminds those voting electronically to go all the way to the end of the ballot to the summary page to be assured their vote has been recorded properly. She said, “If you have any questions, do not push the red button. Ask a worker for assistance if there is a problem.” Early voting continues through the end of next week. Sample ballots are found on the Hopkins County website. Parking at the new Jefferson Street Parking lot, accessed off Rosemont Street, is being used by many voters.
Halloween is Monday; Events Begin Friday
It’s a dentist’s dream and a parent’s nightmare… Halloween is Monday but candy will be the order of the day with various trunk or treat and other activities beginning Friday night. The City of Sulphur Springs has not set a specific day for trick or treat which, this year, is Monday. The city only coordinates a specific date when October 31, All Hallows’ Eve falls on a Sunday.
Haunted House Downtown on Connally Street featuring Sulphur Springs High School student participants and sponsored by The Celebration Association begins Friday and concludes Monday. Hours are 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The Lutheran Church hosts a Trunk or Treat on Main Street at 5:30 p.m. and First Baptist Church hosts trunk or treat on the FBC baseball field at 6 p.m. League Street Church hosts a trunk or treat at their location at 6 p.m. Monday.
Halloween or All Hallows’ Eve is the night before All Saints’ Day, November 1st.
Tira News
by Jan Vaughn
The North Hopkins Fall Carnival is being held at the school tonight, October 28th, from 6:00-8:00. Prior to and during the fun and games, the Beta Club will be serving burgers and pizza, beginning at 5:00.
Congratulations to Kim Beck for winning the Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show for Photography in the Hopkins County Fall Festival!
Wesley Weir, Maria Gonzalez, and Robert & Yvonne Weir went to Reunion Tower on Saturday, and then to Shenaniganz in Rockwall to celebrate Wesley’s 16th birthday. Yvonne reports that everyone had a good time.
Tiffany Vaughn, Kenden and Jaidyn Joslin, and Chip and I went to Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana on Wednesday. Morgan Joslin received an Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship and was in a ceremony to contract with the Air Force, which is what he will be doing after finishing his college education.
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].
Local Man Exercises First Amendment Downtown
The past few days, a man has been spotted in the downtown area sporting bright green and yellow signs. Mr. Charles Oxford is a resident of Hopkins County and has a passion for local, city politics. Mr. Oxford has been present at two of the Paris Junior College town hall style meetings regarding the proposal of the new college taxing district and brought a series of questions before Dr. Pamela Anglin, President of Paris Junior College. Mr. Oxford believes that freedom of speech is precious and he’ll be exercising his freedoms throughout the next week.
