Husband, Wife Arrested Friday Morning For Theft
“If you steal something in Hopkins County, it may have a tracking device that will lead local law enforcement to the location of the item taken and lead to the arrest of the one or ones who removed the items according to Hopkins County Chief Investigator Lewis Tatum.
Tatum’s statement is based on an arrest made Friday morning just past the Hopkins County line in Rains County. Ryan Rogers, 40, and Patricia Rogers, 33, of Fruitvale, were booked into Hopkins County jail after they took an item that had been parked on the side of a Hopkins County road. That item had a tracking device on it. After taking the device the man and wife began their journey home only to have Sheriff’s deputies begin a pursuit. The pair turned down a dead end road near Lake Fork, where they were arrested.
This is not the first time the pair was thought to have taken an item from Hopkins County. A couple of weeks ago, according to Tatum, Van Zandt County deputies found a trailer that had been taken from Hopkins County parked in the Rogers’ front yard. At that time, they told Van Zandt authorities they did not know how the trailer had come to be in their yard.
Miller Grove News
by Brandon Darrow
Busy, busy, busy – those are the three main words to describe our community during this time of year. Little ones are in baseball and softball, school will be drawing to a close before we know it, and there are activities almost daily during the spring in and around “The Grove.”
I’ve noticed several nice looking gardens in the area. I know Clinton Lennon is keeping his garden weed-free. Dwayne Wren has also planted a sizeable garden this year, too. I haven’t had a vegetable garden for the last 4 or 5 years but this year I’ve decided to try my hand at it again. Although, my green thumb may have turned brown over the years!
Monday was my niece Savanna’s 7th birthday. I took her to eat lunch at Dairy Queen that day – it’s okay to spoil her, she’s my only niece.
The next night she was “Momma Goose” in a play her school performed titled, “Getting Down with Momma Goose.” All of the students did really well. I know their classroom teachers and music teacher were very proud of them. They were all dressed like characters from nursery rhymes and groups of children would come to the microphone at a time to sing a song and act out a skit.
I saw Vicki Weaver on Monday, the 25th, and she seemed to be doing very well. I haven’t seen her in quite a while so we had a good time catching up. She is enjoying her grandkids and soaking up the retired life!
Jordan and Hannah (Darty) McLarry had a baby shower for little Ella at County Line Baptist Church on Sunday, Apr. 24. There was a large gathering there and the lady’s class took the role as hostesses of the shower. Congratulations to the parents-to-be!
Happy Birthday to Aaron Baylus & Billy Wren on May 2; Ray Sparks & Johnny Burns on May 3; Bro. Wayne Darty, Kyle Smith, Tara (Russell) Spencer, and Angela (Pitts) Gress on May 5; Dianne (Sparks) Wicks on May 6; Seth Roberts & my nephew, Brody Darrow, on May 7.
I’m sorry to report the passing of Bobby Wayne Middleton, Sr. After an 8 month battle with lung cancer Bob is now home with The Lord. He passed Tuesday, Apr. 26, at his residence. He was born Nov. 15, 1935, in Point to Julian and Ruby Lee (Spencer) Middleton. He married Ida Lavelle Woodard in Sulphur Springs on Jul. 17, 1954. He was a dairy farmer the majority of his life. Funeral services held Sat., Apr. 30, at 10 am at Emory Church of Christ. Visitation from 6-8 pm on Fri., Apr. 29, at Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home in Emory. Survivors include his wife, Lavelle; son, Bobby Wayne Middleton, Jr. and wife Robin (Garrett) Middleton; grandchildren, Cole and Samone Middleton; great-grandson, Coleson Middleton; sisters, Doris Hall and Nora Younger; brother, J.L. Middleton; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Cleatus and Jack Middleton; and sister, Virginia Pritchett.
MG Cemetery’s Memorial Day will be held Saturday, May 7, at Miller Grove United Methodist Church. Morning services will begin at 10:30 am with a short business meeting to follow. Lunch will be from 12-1:00 with dinner on the grounds, weather pending. This year Rev. Nick Lamb will be our Master of Ceremonies with Bro. Ronald Davis of Miller Grove Baptist Church delivering the message. Janette Davis will play the piano and Lisa (Renshaw) Oler is slated to be the song leader this year. Kim Irby will bring the special music that day. So, anyone with a connection to the cemetery is more than welcome to come out and take part in the day’s events.
Also on Saturday, May 7, the FFA Stew & Auction will take place. Stew will be served followed by an auction as we have done for many years. I’m sure Lewis Russell is ready to begin cooking some of his famous chicken stew. The FFA looks for a good showing of community members that night. The auction is the biggest fundraiser for our FFA chapter. Lately, the Forestry team has progressed and made it to the state level of their competitions. Good luck to our students!
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].
Lady Cats Battle Back to Win First Game in Bi-District Series
The Lady Cats’ softball team battled back from an early deficit to win game one of their bi-district series against Corsicana, 9-4 at Lady Cat Park Thursday night.
Corsicana came out slugging in the top of the first inning scoring four runs on four hits and a Lady Cat error. Lady Cats starting pitcher Landri Bell then settled down the shut out the Tigers giving up only two hits over the next three innings.
The Lady Cats comeback began as they scored a run in the bottom of the second inning on a Sadie Stroud RBI single that scored Sarah Womack who had singled. The Lady Cats then took the lead in the bottom of the fifth scoring four runs on four hits and two Tiger errors. Womack knocked home two runs with a single that eluded the Tiger right fielder. The Lady Cats added four insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth on five more hits. Kristen Allen had a big 3-RBI double. Womack drove in another run with a single. Bailey Haggerty pitched three innings allowing no runs and no hits to get the pitching win.
The Lady Cats hammered out 16 hits. Game two is scheduled for Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Corsicana. There is a high probability of rain in the forecast for Corsicana for both Friday and Saturday. The series must be finished by Saturday.
Wildcats Spring Football Begins Day After Sports Banquet
football
For the first time in his high school coaching career, Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens will be utilizing spring football. It gets underway Tuesday, May 3 and will wrap up with a spring game on Thursday, May 26. In between there will be a total of fifteen workouts in pads, four workouts each week with each session about an hour and a half in length.
Coach Owens told media members Thursday that in the past his teams were seasoned so that with 7 on 7 games and workouts during athletic periods the teams were adequately prepared until the start on fall practices. He said his current returnees in 9th, 10th and 11th grades include lots of inexperienced players that could benefit from the 15 workouts in pads over several weeks.
There is a trade off. The Wildcats will open fall practice a week later than usual and they will have only one scrimmage instead of two before their first real game. Coach Owens said the benefits outweigh the negatives. He said the players are excited and spring football has created quite a buzz.
Chicago Tour w/ Ken Burns
As I am always looking for interesting trips, I came across a small tour group that leaves in September for Chicago and includes a reception with film maker Ken Burns. Even if you have been to Chicago many times, you would find this tour very interesting and when would you ever have a chance to meet the master story teller Ken Burns??? Here is the official information:
Join us September 19 – 23, 2016 for one of our most intriguing Events – an exclusive insider’s look into the people, places and events that shaped Chicago, one of the world’s most powerful cities, during the pivotal years 1871 – 1933. During your four-night stay in the historic Tower at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile (a landmark since 1929), you’ll explore the themes of Ken Burns’s documentaries Prohibition, Jazz and Frank Lloyd Wright. Sightseeing tracks take you on a firsthand journey through the history of Chicago, beginning with the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, after which the “Second City” was rebuilt, and continuing through the eras of The Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 – an event that set the stage for the next 40 years of architectural and arts achievements – to the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair marking industrial and scientific achievements of “A Century of Progress.” On Architecture That Shaped The City, delve into the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright with visits to his studio and home in Oak Park; Beer Wars: The Roaring Twenties tours jazz-age Chicago during the Prohibition era; and The Most American of Cities includes a look at the multicultural influences that defined the city – by private boat, coach and on foot. Private dinner events include an evening at the Chicago History Museum overlooking Lincoln Park, a special evening of music at the Chicago History Museum, and a “Prohibition Repeal Celebration” in the InterContinental’s amazing Grand Ballroom. And, of course, there are presentations by noted experts such as Jonathan Eig, New York Times best-selling author of Get Capone, who provides insights and tells the story of gangster Al Capone, and a local Chicago historian. The highlight of this Event is a private evening at the 1921 Chicago Theatre, including an opportunity to meet Ken Burns at a dessert reception and open house following his keynote address. One departure only, so we encourage you to make your plans early!
The official price is: $4,690 for 5 Days (plus airfare), but some discounts may apply including reduced airfare. Email [email protected] for complete information.
Two Sentenced in 8th Judicial Criminal Court Thursday
Jeffery Eugene Dixon, II, 32, pled true to family violence by choking or impeding breath, a Felony 3. A second family violence that did not include choking but was a Felony 3 was dismissed in the agreement. This is Dixon’s second trip to prison in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. If he commits any kind of family violence in the future, whether a misdemeanor or felony, he will face 25 years to life in prison.
Raul Carrera Pichardo, 35, pled guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child. Pichardo’s victim was a young -teenaged male who is also a juvenile defendant in cases involving him as a perpetrator of sexual assault of children. This unique situation and the circumstances surrounding Pichardo’s plea led the District Attorney’s office to see this as a win for justice.
Pichardo was sentenced to 10 years deferred, 180 days in county jail added to his time already spent in Hopkins County jail, which will total almost a year in jail. He will also have a lifetime of registration as a sex offender. When released from county jail, he will be turned over to Federal Authorities for deportation to Mexico.
Two Arrested For Endangering Children and Possession of Controlled Substance
Russell Edward Skeen, 49, and Caitlan Danae Prestidge, 24, both of Sulphur Springs were arrested Wednesday evening for two counts of Endangering a Child and for Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Skeen
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Amanda Weatherford performed a routine traffic stop on a 2004 Chevy Silverado traveling north bound on Fisher Street. The vehicle was carrying two adults and two young children of the ages of 7 and 8.
Prestidge
Weatherford made contact with Skeen, who was the driver, and Prestidge, the front passenger in the truck. Skeen was showing signs of nervousness as Weatherford detected a strong air freshener smell inside the cab of the truck as if Skeen was attempting to cover up another odor. Weatherford then asked Skeen to exit the vehicle and requested to search the truck.
Upon Skeen’s denial of the request, Weatherford found a marijuana roach lying in plain view which led to a probable cause search. Two syringes containing suspected methamphetamine were found wrapped in a blue napkin lying in the front passenger seat, where Prestidge was attempting to hid them, and a bottle containing a crystal like substance also believed to be meth was located inside the truck.
Skeen and Prestidge were then placed into custody and the two young children were released to their mother after officers made contact with her.
SSPD Officers then transported Skeen and Prestidge to the Hopkins County Jail where they each sit on $30,000 bond: $20,000 for Possession of a Controlled Substance greater than 1 gram and less than 4 grams; and a total of $10,000 on two charges of Abandonment and Endangerment of a Child by Criminal Negligence for each child.
Walking Cane Used in Assault
Michael Lyle Gall, 29, is in Hopkins County Jail with bond set at $35,000 following a Wednesday morning arrest for Aggravated Assault Date/Family/House w/weapon and for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Michael Lyle Gall
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an assault in progress on County Road 4508 Wednesday morning. Upon arrival, Sgt. Fenimore spoke with the female involved who stated that Gall had assaulted her with a walking cane hitting her about the head trying to make her have a seizure. Gall was found to have in his possession a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamines and a set of scales in his bedroom.
He also faces violation of probation for possession of a controlled substance more than 1-gram and less than 4-grams.
Mayor Celebrates Arbor Day Planting Tree in Buford Park
Sulphur Springs Mayor Kayla Price-Mitchell planted a tree in honor of Arbor Day Thursday, April 28, 2016, near the new pavilion in Buford Park. The 9 a.m. event, attended by city staff members and fellow City Council member Emily Glass, brought attention to the loss of trees due to drought and new construction.
