Apology Letter for Memorial Vandalism Promises Face to Face Apology, Take Notes of Individual’s Stories
KSST News received an email containing a letter from a juvenile who claims to have created the vandalism at Hopkins County Veteran’s Memorial last week. A request to share the letter came via a Facebook message, which stated, “Can I share an apology letter from Romeo to the citizens of Sulphur Springs. For the vandalism that he caused on the Sulphur Springs Veterans Memorial. And also maybe see if you could let some people know that he will be at the location Saturday from 12 to 4 to offer a face to face apology and take notes of anyone who want to tell their story.”
To seek verification that the letter was indeed from the juvenile, KSST News notified Police Chief Jay Sanders regarding the source of the email. His response was “very good.”
Here is a copy of the letter received:
Marine Corps League Detachment Honors Fallen Law Enforcement
At 7 a.m. Sunday morning, May 15, 2016, Marine Corps League Detachment 1537 raised and lowered the Celebration Plaza and Veteran’s Memorial flags in honor of those law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. A wreath was also placed at the base of the flag pole in honor of fallen law enforcement. At 7 p.m. Sunday evening, the Corps will return to lower the flags to the playing of taps. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and Sulphur Springs Police officers were present for the memorial Sunday morning.
Photos by Robin Minyard Williams
Crowson Offensive Player of the Year; Driver co-Newcomer of the Year; Lady Cats Named to All-District Team
softball
The Lady Cats’ softball team earned two superlatives and had a total of eleven players named to the All-District Team, recently selected by the district’s coaches.
Second baseman Hannah Crowson was named the district’s Offensive Player of the Year. Freshman Brinklee Driver was chosen as co-Newcomer of the Year.
Earning first team honors were first baseman Sarah Womack, third baseman Kristen Allen, left fielder Sadie Stroud, center fielder Alyssa Abron and catcher Molly Johnston.
Making the second team was right fielder Jaye Doughtie. Honorable mention selections included shortstop Kelsey Wallace, pitcher Landri Bell and pitcher Bailey Haggerty.
On KSST and Channel 18 TV’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show, Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo also announced that this year’s MVP was the entire team.
Early Voting Begins Monday in Primary Run-off; Precinct 1 and State School Board of Interest to Republicans
Texas voters return to the polls May 24th to cast ballots in run-off elections. In Hopkins County, a run-off for Commissioners Precinct 1 will determine not only the Republican nominee for the place but also the ultimate winner. No democrat has filed. Also on the Republican ballot will be District 9 for the Texas Education Board. Early voting begins Monday, May 16th until Friday, May 20th, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day at the Sulphur Springs ISD Administration Building Conference Room.
The run-off election will continue to tie the voter to the party in which they voted in the primary. One cannot cross over from Democrat to Republican or Republican to Democrat in the primary run-off. General Elections are open for cross over votes. However, in one local run-off election the May 24th vote will settle the matter.
Locally, Maci Mattison Newsom and Mickey Barker are seeking the commissioner’s seat. Precinct 1 voters will focus not only on the administrative work of the commissioner and their work as a member of Commissioners’ Court, the governing body for budgets, etc. in the county, they, especially rural voters, will also be taking a hard look at the care of county roads. Precinct 1 had been hard hit by flooding roadways thanks to unprecedented rainfall during the previous 14 months. Precinct 1 is the recipient of the larger amount of FEMA funds granted the county for road repair. Not only overseeing the funds but also fixing the roads will be in the forethought of voters.
Those living in the city of Sulphur Springs may not be as well versed in the conditions of county roads in the precinct as are their rural neighbors. However, the road situation has been well publicized and could easily influence of all voters.
One of the state contests centers on the State Board of Education, District 9. Keven Ellis, 45, Lufkin ISD School Board President, and Mary Lou Bruner, 69, a retired teacher are seeking the seat. The state board sets curriculum standards and approves textbooks for 5.2 million Texas school children. The Dallas Morning News endorsed Ellis earlier this week.
In endorsing Ellis, who calls himself a conservative Republican, the Morning News pointed to his work on the Lufkin board and his youngest son is a high school student. They also highlighted his desire to empower local districts to meet community needs.
Bruner on the other hand is described as on who has a pattern of absurdity including the idea that the Democratic Party had President John F. Kennedy killed.
Sulphur Springs Superintendent of Schools, Mike Lamb, supports Ellis. Lamb says Ellis is “…well in tuned to issues of schools today…” Lamb listened to dialog given by Bruner at a Region 7 meeting and says her ideas “…do not fit issues schools today.” Lamb said, “Ellis is better for us.”
Lady Cats Win Second Game; Lose Third
Lady Cats 8, Mansfield Legacy 2 (game 2)
Mansfield Legacy 18, Lady Cats 1 (game 3)
Legacy wins series 2 games to 1
The Lady Cats’ softball team won game two of their regional quarterfinal series against Mansfield Legacy 8-2 Friday before their season ended with a 18-1 loss in the third and final game of the series.
After a 12-4 loss to the Lady Broncos Thursday night, the Lady Cats dominated action in game two Friday to force the third game. Lady Cats pitcher Bailey Haggerty carried a no hitter into the seventh inning before settling for a two hitter after allowing a single and a home run. Meanwhile the Lady Cats scored two runs in four different innings in the win. Kristen Allen and Sarah Womack drove home runs with singles in the top of the first inning. Alyssa Abron got an RBI on a ground out and Brinklee Driver drove home a run with a double in the top of the second. Allen knocked in two runs with a double in the top of the fourth. Molly Johnston hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh. The Lady Cats pounded out eleven hits in game two.
The win set up a decisive game three and the Lady Cats had very little left in their gas tanks for the big game. Still the Lady Cats jumped out on top 1-0 in the bottom of the first as Hannah Crowson singled and Kristen Allen drove her in with a double that eluded the Lady Broncos’ left fielder. It was all Mansfield Legacy after that. The Lady Broncos took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second utilizing a hit batter, a single, a sacrifice fly, a single and a Lady Cat error. Haggerty pitched 11 and a third innings in the two games Friday and kept the Lady Cats close until huge fourth and fifth innings by Legacy turned the game into a rout. The Lady Broncos scored nine runs in the top of the fourth and seven more in the top of the fifth to take an 18-1 win. The game was halted after five innings by the ten-run rule. The loss ended the season for the Lady Cats whose final season record was 30-8.
Game Two Holds Opportunities for Lady Cats
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo continues to remain positive despite Thursday night’s Lady Cats’ 12-4 loss to Mansfield Legacy in Royse City in game one of their best two out of three series. Coach Carrillo adds his team is not down. He says they are ready to play another game.
Coach Carrillo says he knew the Lady Broncos were good and could hit from the top to the bottom of their batting order. He says the Lady Cats let too many opportunities slip away during Thursday’s loss. Coach Carrillo says if the Lady Cats play good defense and get some timely hits, they should do just fine Friday night. He sees positives in the Lady Cats getting a dozen hits Thursday night and having only one strikeout. Coach Carrillo says the Lady Cats also had opportunities and he expects them to have more Friday night.
Game two is Friday at 6 p.m. in Royse City with a game three to follow, if necessary.
Spring Practice Brings Benefits for Wildcat Offense
football
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young says after two weeks of spring football, he would call it a success. He says the team is obviously ahead of where they usually are at this time of year due to the knowledge the players now have. Coach Young cites the large number of players getting reps. He says during the fall, the starters usually get most of the reps. He says coaches are getting a look at lots of players.
Coach Young says there has been no sign of players getting tired of spring football. He says they continue to show up each day early. Coach Young says he has been able to introduce offensive players to 98% of the Wildcats offense already. Now he says they just have have to work to get better at it. Some of Coach Young’s goals for spring practice are for offensive players to become more physical, for offensive coaches to determine depth questions and for offensive players to develop confidence. He says these goals either have been accomplished or are getting accomplished this spring.
Spring practice will end with a spring game on May 26.
Three Arrested For Recent Burglary
May 13, 2016 – Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Investigators worked quickly to solve a burglary case and arrested three individuals on Thursday in connection with the incident that occurred two days prior. According to information given to KSST by Criminal Investigator Dennis Findley, Chase Alan Harrison, 23, had previously lived at a residence located at 6151 State Highway 19 South and was aware that the current property owners would be out of town on May 10th. With this knowledge, Harrison and cohorts Ashley Gayle Wade, 27, and Lance Allen Worden, 26, burglarized the property.
The trio broke into the home and several buildings stealing multiple pieces of property including a boat, an electric range, various tools and other items. Investigator Findley told KSST that the boat has since been recovered and returned to the victims. The other items are believed to have been pawned off and the search continues to recover the property.
Wade and Worden were both found at a County Road 1134 residence on Thursday. Wade agreed to speak with Chief Investigator Lewis Tatum at which time she made a full confession recorded on video. Wade and Worden were then placed into custody and transported to the Hopkins County Jail. Harrison, who had been arrested in Lindale, Texas, was picked up by Deputy Joe Hooten and brought back to Hopkins County. Wade and Worden now sit on $30,000 total bond each: $20,000 for Burglary of a Habitation and $10,000 total for two counts of Burglary of a Building. At the time of the story’s release, bond had not been set for Harrison who has been charged with Burglary of a Habitation, two counts of Burglary of a Building, and Surety Off Bound for Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 1 gram.
North Hopkins Lone Finalist Chosen From Among 55 Applicants
North Hopkins Schools issued a press release Friday in support of Superintendent lone finalist Dr. Darin Jolly. Sulphur Springs Superintendent Michael Lamb also spoke to KSST News in support of Jolly’s appointment. In a previous story (find here), a question had been raised regarding an issue raised in the Kenedy ISD where Jolly previously served. Allen Joslin told KSST News Thursday that the incident had been checked out by the NHISD board and that they were satisfied with the information they had received.
Below is the press released issued Friday just prior to noon by the NHISD from the office of current Superintendent Donna George.
The North Hopkins Independent School District Board of Trustees, at its May 11, 2016 meeting, named East Texas native Dr. Darin Jolly, as finalist for superintendent. By law, the Board must wait 21 days before voting to hire Dr. Jolly. Jolly is slated to replace retiring Superintendent Donna George.
In April, the Board hired Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Executive Search Services to direct the search for superintendent. TASB consultants met with staff and community groups to discuss desired characteristics of the new superintendent. The profile developed from these meetings was the yardstick used by the Board and consultants in evaluating the applicants for the position. On May 11, the NHISD Board determined that Jolly fits the profile for NHISD’s continued progress and future successes.
According to NHISD Board President, Allen Joslin, out of a pool of fifty-five applicants, the Board carefully screened and selected six applicants for initial interviews. Three applicants were further vetted and invited back for a second interview. Joslin stated, “With twenty-one years in education, Darin Jolly brings a set of leadership skills that is broad and extensive. Having served as a superintendent, high school principal, junior high school principal, assistant principal, director of fine arts, and classroom teacher. Dr. Jolly’s schools, campuses, organizations and ensembles have consistently demonstrated growth and improvement under his influence throughout his career.” Joslin continued, “Darin Jolly brings many essential aspects in many different areas that will contribute to the school district and we are excited about his willingness to lead our school district.”
Jolly began his educator career in 1995 as an assistant band director in Palestine at his Alma Mater Westwood ISD, served as director of bands in Elkhart ISD (1996-2000), Coleman ISD (2000-2001), and Mabank ISD (2001-2005). As a band director, Jolly was an active UIL adjudicator and clinician, providing workshops and leadership camps for bands nationwide. Following ten years of teaching, Jolly continued in Mabank ISD to begin his administrative career as Assistant Principal (2005-2007) and Junior High Principal (2007-2013). While at Mabank, the district academically improved from “Acceptable” to “Recognized” and then to “Exemplary” by TEA in 2010. Jolly has also served as High School Principal in Winona ISD (2013-2015), and Superintendent in Kenedy ISD (2015-2016).
As Superintendent at Kenedy ISD, he led the 800 student school district to provide more access and equity for students by establishing more dual credit and CTE opportunities for students through Coastal Bend Community College. Realizing state sources are limited in today’s environment, Jolly was in the process of establishing the district’s education foundation to impact teachers and students locally. During his experience in Kenedy, Jolly sought improvement of cafeteria food service and oversaw an 18 million dollar secondary school construction project.
Despite substantial progress and school improvement efforts in Kenedy under his tenure, Dr. Jolly resigned from his position in Kenedy in March of this year. Jolly stated, “I have made full disclosure of all my experiences in Kenedy to the North Hopkins Board and their search consultants. Jolly added, “Kenedy is an amazing district in a fantastic community with great people, businesses, and partnerships for education. My wife and I will always treasure our experience in Kenedy but it is time for us to move on and we are excited about the opportunity to move back home to East Texas.”
“I’m eager to move forward in North Hopkins ISD and I’m thankful for the confidence and trust afforded to me by the Board of Trustees. I am very grateful for all the kindness and hospitality that has already been extended to my family by Donna George and the North Hopkins faculty and staff. They could not be more welcoming,” stated Jolly.
From a family of Educators and East Texans, Darin Jolly graduated from Palestine’s Westwood High School in 1991 where he was an FFA officer, UIL academic champion, photo-journalist, and earned several music scholarships as a band student. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Howard Payne University in 1995 where he met his wife, Cara, while in the marching band. He completed two Masters Degrees (Music 2000) (Education 2004) and his doctorate (Education 2008) from Stephen F. Austin State University. Dr. Jolly is also a 2013 graduate of the National Superintendent Academy (Chicago) and was in the Harvard University Educational Leadership Academy in 2012. As a life-long learner, Jolly has also taught adjunct Principal/Administration courses for Stephen F. Austin State University and the University of Phoenix in Dallas.
As Lone Finalist, Jolly will be visiting and touring campuses, working closely with Superintendent Donna George for a smooth transition of leadership. Additionally, the Jolly family will be visiting the North Hopkins ISD and surrounding areas to become acquainted with the community, families, businesses and churches while looking for a local house to call home.
Darin has been married his college sweetheart, Cara, for 23 years. They have two children: Elizabeth, 21 and Aaron, 19. Originally from the East Texas area, Jolly couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be closer to home, “I’m excited to be a part of the North Hopkins community and moving this amazing district to even greater heights. This is a great school that we can make even greater. Cara and I consider this as truly a dream job. Not many people can say that.”
