President’s Declaration Regarding Restrooms/Bathrooms Still a Question for Local District
Sulphur Springs School Superintendent Michael Lamb said the district has not received the letter from the federal government informing them of the Presidential “Decree” concerning who uses which restroom. He stated that it is hard to say what affect the President’s statement will make on the local district at this time.
The Obama administration is issuing a directive telling every public school district in the country to allow transgender students to use the bathrooms that match their gender identity. The declaration is signed by Justice and Education department officials and describes what schools should do to ensure that none of their students are discriminated against. The law is said to imply that schools that do not abide by the Obama administration’s interpretation of the law could face lawsuits or a loss of federal aid, according to the New York Times.
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton have responded that Texas will fight the declaration in court. Patrick calls the issue a family issue and that the state will not be blackmailed by the federal government. Patrick’s comments were made Friday morning on national news. Patrick says the poorest of the poor are affected by the threat to withhold federal funds. He expects home schooling to increase.
KSST will be following this story.
CNB Contacting ATM Thursday Users
An example of ‘Thin Skimmer’ technology.
City National Bank asks anyone who used the ATM downtown location Thursday between 6:20 a.m. and 11 a.m. (only that time period) to please call CNB. The bank has contacted every customer for whom they have a phone number but want to be sure to have contacted all who used the machine. According to John Sellers with CNB, 95% or more have been contacted but they want to assure all customers regarding the security of their transaction and accounts. (see story here)
Donations Made to Symphony League Thursday
City National Bank presented a $3500 donation to Sulphur Springs Symphony League Thursday morning at the downtown location. Pictured, l to r, Kayla Price-Mitchell, representing the Symphony League; Maleta Reynolds; Ricky Reynolds, President and CEO at CNB; John Sellers with CNB,;and Linda Gallagher with the Symphony League
ATMOS Energy donated $1,000.00 to the Sulphur Springs Symphony League Thursday afternoon.
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
Jackson Dailey will be graduating Magna Cum Laude with his Bachelor’s of Science in History and Computer Information Systems from Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday. Kim Beck reports, “We are so proud!”
Debra Wood and her sister Barbara Cockrum recently returned from a trip to Williamsburg and Jamestown, Virginia, for the yearly gathering of the “Lee Society of Virginia.” Each year the Lee cousins gather in a place where their Lee ancestors lived. Debra and Barbara enjoyed eating out and shopping on their way to Williamsburg. The two traveled through Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, arriving at Williamsburg Inn on Friday afternoon. Friday night was the Society’s first meal of the weekend. The delicious meal was prepared at Jamestown, where Charles Lee arrived in 1640. This was also the same sight where Pocahontas and John Smith lived their lives. On Saturday, the cousins attended their annual meeting in Old Town Williamsburg, which was followed by a delicious lunch at the Seasons Restaurant. Saturday’s evening meal was served at the conference room at the Williamsburg Inn. All present enjoyed the weekend together again. This was Debra and Barbara’s 2nd Lee Society gathering. The two went to church on Sunday in Richmond, where they had once attended about 8 years earlier. After church, they headed toward Tennessee to make their trek back to Texas. Debra and Barbara are excited about next year’s reunion, which will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Aiguier Cemetery Association will have their annual meeting and homecoming on Sunday, June 5th , on the cemetery grounds. A pot-luck meal will be
shared at noon, followed by visiting and a brief business meeting.
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].
Certification Projects Completed at PJC-Sulphur Springs Campus
GETTING CERTIFIED Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs campus welding students completed their certification projects last week. Above, welding student Josef Baker, left, is getting his project approved by Instructor and Certified Welding Inspector Matt Siddens.
Miller Grove News
by Brandon Darrow
The cemetery’s memorial service Saturday, May 7, went well. Lots of people there to visit with that I only get to see once a year. Bro. Ronald Davis did a great job on his sermon and Nick Lamb was an outstanding Master of Ceremonies. I also heard many compliments on Mrs. Irby’s singing and on Mrs. Davis’ piano playing skills. Lisa Oler was song leader, as she has been in the past, and she did as good of a job as she always does. The offering was up a little from last year and I’m sure donations will trickle in from individuals throughout the year. During the trustee’s meeting after the morning service and lunch, we laid plans for next year’s service and I believe we will have another good line-up of folks to add to the program.
That same night was the FFA’s stew and auction. I wanted to go but my nephew, Brody, was having his 6th birthday party so I couldn’t miss that. I heard that the auction went well. I was able to donate a dessert to be auctioned so I dropped that by on my way to Sulphur Springs to the birthday party.
Madison Penny recently graduated from nursing school. I was proud to hear that. She is a graduate of MGISD and so was her mother, Sherry Ragan Dial.
Congratulations to everyone who has been having babies lately. Mark and Angela Pitts Gress had their little one on May 11. His name is Merrik Wells Gress. He was 8 lbs, 8 oz, and was 21 ½ inches long. Angela is MGISD’s art and photography teacher. Macen Howle and Ashley Bryant delivered a daughter this past week. Macen is the grandson of Dean and Mary Linda Howle and graduated from Miller Grove HS while I was working there.
Happy Birthday to Jesse Weaver on May 15; my Aunt Betty Phillips on May 16; George Callan, Paul Garrett, Connie Briggs & Dillon Tipps on May 19; Cole and Kimberly Burnett will celebrate 6 years of marriage on May 15th. Also Happy 10th Anniversary to Kevin and Michelle Tipps on May 20 and Happy 33rd Anniversary to Barry and Julie Smith on May 21.
Upcoming events at the school will be: Academic & Athletic Banquet (May 19), End of School Stew (May 20), FFA Banquet (May 20), Baccalaureate Services (May 22), Elementary Awards Assembly (May 24), Kindergarten & Junior High Graduation (May 26), and High School Graduation (May 27). Wow, I can’t believe the school year is almost over!
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
Romanian Nationals Arrested in Local ATM Skimmer Attempt
Jay Sanders
Two Romanian nationals, a 15-year old female juvenile and a male who claims to be 19, are in local police custody for fraudulent use of debit/credit card/personal information. Thursday morning at City National Bank, an employee noted a skimmer had been placed on an ATM machine at that location. Sulphur Springs Police were called and the skimmer, that captures debit and credit card numbers, was removed.
Law enforcement viewed video taken from the ATM and found the female placing the skimmer on the machine at 6:25 a.m. Thursday.
“We went with a gut reaction,” stated Police Chief Jay Sanders, “and set up a watch on the machine. I expected the individual or individuals to return before the sun set. Any activity after dark would draw attention to the individual.”
At approximately 7 p.m., the female walked from Davis Street down Atkins to the ATM where she realized the skimmer had been removed from the machine. She retraced her steps, followed by police, to Van Sickle Street where the pick-up car awaited with the male driver. When questioned, the pair gave a Dallas area address.
“They lied to us from the beginning and we don’t believe much of what we have been told,” Sanders told KSST News. He stated that the juvenile is being held in Greenville, TX and the male is being held in Hopkins County jail. Both Homeland Security and ICE have been contacted, according to Sanders. Sanders expects ICE to take over the investigation.
The use of a skimmer is unusual in this area according to Sanders. He stated that with the explosion of technology, he expects more of this type activity, along with other scams, to be attempted locally. He called the local investigation a team effort for Sulphur Springs Police involving patrol and the investigation division.
An example of ‘Thin Skimmer’ technology.
City National Bank asks anyone who used the ATM downtown location between 6:20 a.m. and 11 a.m. (only that time period) to please call CNB. The bank has contacted every customer for whom they have a phone number but want to be sure to have contacted all who used the machine. According to John Sellers with CNB, 95% or more have been contacted but they want to assure all customers regarding the security of their transaction and accounts.
Aiguier Cemetery Association June 2016 Meeting
The Aiguier Cemetery Association will have their annual meeting and homecoming on Sunday, June 5th, on the cemetery grounds. A pot-luck meal will be shared at noon, followed by visiting and a brief business meeting. In case of rain, the event will be moved to the North Hopkins School Cafeteria.
Lady Broncos Outscore Lady Cats; Game Two Tonight
This time when the Lady Cats fell behind, they couldn’t catch up. The Mansfield Legacy Lady Broncos defeated the Lady Cats, 12-4 at Royse City Thursday night. Legacy leads the best two out of three series, 1 game to zero.
Legacy opened strongly in the top of the first inning scoring three runs on three hits and a walk and hit batter. The Lady Cats got one of the runs back in the bottom of the first. Alyssa Abron led off with a single. She went to second when the ball eluded the left fielder. Hannah Crowson singled and Abron went to third. Abron then scored as Legacy turned a double play. Legacy increased their lead with single runs in the top of the third and fourth innings. The Lady Broncos led 5-1.
The Lady Cats trimmed the deficit to 5-3 by scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth. After the Lady Cats loaded the bases, Crowson and Kristen Allen drove in runs with singles. The Lady Broncos struck for three more runs in the top of the sixth to lead 8-3. The Lady Cats got one run back in the bottom of the sixth. Kelsey Wallace got on on a fielder’s choice, moved to third on Jaye Doughtie’s double and scored on Abron’s sacrifice fly. The Lady Cats trailed 8-4. Legacy added four more runs in the top of the seventh.
Legacy only outhit the Lady Cats, 14 to 12. Both teams left nine runners on base.
Game two in the series is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m. in Royse City with game 3, if necessary, to follow game two.
