Resident Fires Weapon to Scare Intruder
A call to a disturbance at a residence on CR 4131 in the Cumby area Wednesday night around 9 p.m. was answered by Cumby police and Hopkins County Sheriff’s officers. At the residence, they found and arrested Billy Carl Chapman, 27, of Sulphur Springs highly intoxicated.
According to the residents who called in the complaint, Chapman had kicked in the kitchen door and was standing in their kitchen when they first encountered him. The resident fired a weapon at the floor to scare Chapman away. It didn’t work. Instead, Chapman fought with the resident. According to the resident, Chapman struck him and stole two bottles of medication from the residence and started walking away.
When arrested and transported to Hopkins County jail, Chapman was uncooperative and threatened the arresting officer. Once at the jail, Chapman was combative and was placed in the Violent Cell. After he calmed, he was booked into jail and taken from the Violent Cell to regular confinement. Chapman awaits a magistrates hearing Thursday morning.
In April of this year, Chapman had attempted to take a weapon from a Sheriff’s officer. He had been out of jail only two days when this incident occurred.
Spring Game Thursday Rain or Shine
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said Wednesday afternoon that the Blue and White Spring Football Game will be played on Thursday at 6 p.m. The weather will determine whether it’s played at Gerald Prim Stadium or at the Multipurpose Building. There will be no admission charge to attend. Coach Owens said his goal is to play the scrimmage-like game at the Prim. He said he wanted to make a big deal out of the game since spring football hasn’t taken place here for more than a decade.
If the game is moved to the Multipurpose Building, good viewing locations will be few. When Gilmer was here for 7 on 7 games played in the Multipurpose Building, some fans lined up along the walls of the facility just off the field to watch.
SSHS Coaching Changes Set
Coaching changes tend to increase during the spring. This time of year, Wildcats Football Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens is almost always busy filling coaching vacancies at middle school and high school. Coach Owens gave the latest news to media members Wednesday morning.
Longtime Soccer and Cross Country Coach Andy Holt is heading to Frisco Wakeland to be head soccer coach. Coach Owens promoted Wildcats Assistant Coach Nicky Wiggins to head soccer coach. He’s still working to hire a soccer assistant and a cross country coach.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Allison Irvin is heading to new school, Denton Braswell, to be head volleyball coach. Her husband, football and track assistant Johnny Irvin, will be leaving as he heads to Sherman as a football assistant. Coach Owens hired Justin Maness as Lady Cats volleyball coach. Maness was the head coach for the past ten years at Paris Junior College from the program’s beginning until it was recently discontinued.
Math teacher Derrick Tyson, a former offensive coordinator at Lindale and Grand Saline, has been hired to replace Johnny Irvin.
Freshman Football Assistant and Powerlifting Coach Jacob Alford is headed to Melissa near McKinney to become a varsity assistant football position coach. Coach Owens says he is still working to replace Alford.
At Middle School, 27-year coaching veteran Robbie Horton is retiring. She’ll be replaced by trainer Josh Neill, who was originally hired as a trainer and coach. Natalie Martino has been hired as middle school trainer. She is from Stephen F. Austin and her husband is an assistant baseball coach at North East Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant.
Dairy Festival Queen and Contestants
The Dairy Festival season will soon be upon Hopkins County once again. Contestants for the Dairy Festival Pageant have been announced, 8 soon-to-be senior girls from Sulphur Springs High School. The reigning Dairy Festival Queen is Ms. Sidney Elaine Dietze.
Dairy Festival Queen Sidney Dietze. Photo by Cindy Roller.
Sidney Dietze is the daughter of Jason and Jill Dietze and the sister of Peyton and Jason Luke Dietze. Sidney loves to sing, play sports, participate in theater, and work with children. She is the Salutatorian of her class, Class president, Varsity Volleyball Team Captain, Class Favorite: Most Likely To Succeed, Homecoming Court Nominee, Rotary Youth Leadership Camper 2015 and Counselor 2016, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Member, and Vice President of the National Honor Society Gladys Alexander Chapter. Sidney is also the recipient of the James Cameron Fighting Heart Award 2016. Ms. Dietze is a member of Key Club, Student Council, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce High School Leadership Class, SSHS Varsity Volleyball Team, SSHS President’s Council as an Athletics Representative, and National Thespian Society. Sidney plans to attend Baylor University with the aspirations of becoming a physician.
Sadie Evans
The first contestant is Sadie Evans, sponsored by Dial Study Club and Askins Propane Company. Sadie is the daughter of Jason and Angie Evans, and the granddaughter of Roger and Rita Wright and also Donnie and Pam Evans. Sadie enjoys performing in oprys and showcases, participating in musical theater, playing guitar, songwriting, spending time with her lovely friends, traveling, and of course, dancing. She has been in vocal training for two years with Septien Entertainment Group and prior to that she had four years of vocal and theatrical training locally with Shining Star Productions. Sadie received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, she is Student Body Vice President, Class of 2017 Parliamentarian, Head Pledge for Hi King Klub 2016, Secretary of Thespian Society, and Dare To Dream Anchor. She also is a member of Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, FCCLA, UIL Poetry and Prose, UIL One Act Play, and Hi King Klub. Sadie received Best Actress, All Star Cast, and Honorable Mention All Star Cast Awards in UIL One Act Play. She also was the winner of the Lindale Idol contest and received Best Vocalist Award at Septien Entertainment Group showcases. Sadie participated in Work Camp and attends The Way Bible Church. An extra fact about Sadie, her great grandmother, Dorothy Hinton, and family donated the holstein cow in front of the Southwest Dairy Museum in honor of her great grandfather. In the future, Sadie plans to attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a degree in Musical Performance and Songwriting.
Lauren Helm
The second contestant is Lauren Helm, sponsored by Mothers Culture Club and Sulphur Springs Chrysler Dodge Jeep. Lauren is the daughter of Jonas and Melanie Helm. Lauren enjoys running, playing soccer, babysitting, helping in the Special Education class, off road racing with her father, and going on mission trips. She participates in National Honor Society, Key Club, Cross Country, First Baptist Church Youth, and SSHS Soccer. Lauren is an academic athlete, Varsity Ladycat Soccer Captain, Cross Country MVP, and 2nd team All-District for Cross Country. This summer, Lauren plans to attend mission trips in Austin, Texas and Costa Rica. In the future, Lauren plans to go to college and pursue a degree in Psychology to become a children’s counselor.
Alexis Howard
The third contestant is Alexis Howard, sponsored by Carriage House Manor and Cottages and Dairy Max. Alexis is the daughter of Genny and Michael Howard. Alexis loves art and dance. She participates in lyrical, jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop and pointe. Alexis is a member of National Honor Society. In the future, Alexis plans to attend nursing school and become an RN to work with children and teens who are battling cancer.
Tahtiana King
The fourth contestant is Tahtiana King, sponsored by Texas Association of Dairymen and Jay Hodge Chevrolet. Tahtiana is the daughter of Kyshia and Marcus Johnson. She enjoys singing, running track, and is interested in music. In the future, she plans to attend a 4-year college to pursue a career in Occupational Therapy.
Emma Boyett
The fifth contestant is Emma Boyett, sponsored by Southwest Dairy Farmers Museum and Texas Farm Credit. Emma Boyett is the daughter of Oran and Jeanine Boyett. Emma likes to go shopping, read, cheer, and attend church activities. She is a member of SSHS Band, UIL Solo and Ensemble, SSHS Cheer, Key Club, Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society. Emma is a member of South Garland Baptist Church and their youth group. She has been a major part of Jeans For Teens Blue Jean Drive for five years and has collected over 5,000 pairs of jeans for teenagers in shelters. She has been apart of Tornado Cleanup Assistance, Special Olympics helper, DNOW Missions, SMACK Musicals, Meals for the Multitudes, and Competitive Gymnastics. In the future, she plans to attend Texas A&M College Station for an undergraduate degree and continue on to get her doctorate in Dental Surgery.
Anne-Marie Winborn
The sixth contestant is Anne-Marie Kennedy Winborn, sponsored by Saputo and Hopkins County Minor Emergency Clinic. Anne-Marie is the daughter of Jennifer Lansou. She enjoys playing tennis, cheering, and participating in all genres of dance. Anne-Marie is a member of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, SSHS Varisty Tennis team, Key Club, and SSHS Cheer Squad. She is the Historian for Business Professionals of America and National Technical Honor Society Vice President. Anne-Marie has received the Agricultural Proficiency Award in Veterinary Science, 1st place in Presentation Management at Business Professionals of America Regional competition, and numerous dance awards from multiple regional dance competitions. She volunteers with Work Camp, Help-A-Child, Animal Shelter, Special Olympics, Salvation Army, and Bright Star Veterinary Clinic. She is working toward her Vet Assistant Certificate. In the future, Anne-Marie plans on attending college to study either Veterinary Medicine or Pharmacology.
Story Thompson
The seventh contestant is Story Elizabeth Thompson, sponsored by Junior Waverly Club and Jordan’s Place Pediatrics. Story is the daughter of Jason and Holly Thompson. Story enjoys cheer leading and playing the ukulele. Story is a member of Sulphur Springs FFA, First United Methodist Youth, SSHS Cheer, National Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society. She is the President of National Honor Society, Secretary of National Technical Honor Society, and is Varsity Cheer Captain. In the future, Story plans to attend college at TAMU-Commerce to pursue a degree in Business.
La’Mier Pryor
The eighth contestant is La’Mier Pryor, sponsored by Grocery Supply Co. and Sulphur Springs Imaging. La’Mier is the daughter of Leanetta Pryor. Her hobbies include writing poetry, singing, and drawing. La’Mier’s favorite sport is cheer leading. In the future, La’Mier plans to attend Blinn College for two years and then transfer to TAMU-College Station to pursue psychology.
Sulphur Springs High School Summer School Set
Sulphur Springs High School summer school schedule and purpose has been announced through the office of Principal Derek Driver. In 2016 Summer School has two components: 1) Credit Recovery and 2) End of Course Reviews. There is no cost for summer school. Applications must be received before the first day of the summer school session.
Credit Recovery provides for the recovery of credit not earned during the regular school year. Dates are Monday-Thursday, beginning June 13th and ending July 21st. Hours each day are 8:00 a.m. until 12 Noon or 12:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Summer School will be conducted at the Austin Academic Center, 808 S. Davis, Sulphur Springs, TX. Coursework is online. Since students will work at their own pace, it may not be necessary to attend the entire Credit Recovery time period. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
End of Course Reviews is for students who were not successful on one or more EOC exams. These will be taught at the high school building by certified teachers. Dates are June 27th through June 30th and July 5th through July 7. Sessions are two-hour blocks. Preference for time slots will be given on a first-come, first served basis. EOC retests will be given at the high school during the week of July 11th through 14th.
Students may pick up an application for summer school from a high school counselor. All applications must be signed by the student and parent as well as approved by the counselor.
Local Man Arrested for Arson
Eric Dale Bailey, 30, of Sulphur Springs is in Hopkins County Jail charged with arson and held on a $20,000 bond. Bailey’s arson charge is related to an early morning fire in the 900 block of Gilmer Street. The investigation is continuing according to Fire Investigator Aaron Kager. The offense is a second degree felony.
As previously reported by KSST News, Sulphur Springs fire investigators were seeking to determine the reason for an April 29th auto fire discovered at 2:03 a.m. behind what had been the location for Father and Son Auto on Gilmer Street. According to Kager, the fire was discovered when Sulphur Springs Firemen were returning to Fire Station 2 and noticed the blaze. They responded to the location. After putting out the fire, the Captain on duty discovered a few things that were abnormal regarding the fire and notified the City Fire Marshall. The scene of the fire was cleared at 3:55 a.m. on the 29th.
Kager said his investigation has revealed that the fire started in the interior of the vehicle. After collecting video from nearby businesses, a vehicle was found to be leaving the scene shortly before the fire was discovered. Sulphur Springs Police Officer Amanda Weatherford located the vehicle and identified the suspect. After questioning, Bailey confessed to the fire. He was an ex-employee of the now defunct Father and Son Auto business that was at the location.
Bailey is not the only individual being sought for the act. According to Police Chief Jay Sanders the second suspect has not been found at this time. Baily is a registered sex offender and has been charged with forgery, drug possession, and possession of a fire arm by a felon in the past.
Mark Sustaire Family 2016 Dairy Festival Parade Marshalls
DAIRYMAN MARK SUSTAIRE, DAIRY FESTIVAL PARADE MARSHALL FOR 2016
When the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade rolls by on Saturday June 11, watch for Mark and Amy Sustaire and their family waving to the crowds along the parade route. The long-time dairy family has been selected as Parade Marshalls for the 2016 event. During a KSST Morning Show interview, Mark said that his Sustaire ancestors arrived in the southeastern part of Hopkins County in the 1860’s, and as many people did back then, they farmed cotton and peanuts. In the late 1930’s, dairy farming began to take root in N.E.Texas. Mark’s dad entered the milking industry in 1950’s after working for State Representative Neal Solomon. He gradually purchased lands which had been farmed but not owned by Mark’s grandfather. Mark joined the family business in 1990, and today milks a Holstein-Jersey cross herd of 400 cows. His wife Amy works in the day-to-day operation and their son and daughter have grown up as part of a working dairy family. Garrett Sustaire is a Saltillo ISD graduate attending Northeast Texas Community College. Jordan is a Junior at Saltillo High School and FFA Chapter president-elect. Mark’s community involvement hasn’t stopped at farming. He has served on the Saltillo school board, as President of the Hopkins County Farm Bureau and remains an active member of the Pickton-Pine Forest Volunteer Fire Department. He is appreciative of the hard-working men and women of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board of Directors in their year-round efforts for this vital part of the local economy.
“Updated” Barker Wins Precinct 1 Commissioner Run-off; Ellis Wins Education District 9 Seat
Mickey Barker won the Primary Run-off for Commissioner Precinct 1 Republican Party nominee. There is no Democrat opponent making Barker the only name on the ballot in the General Election. Barker received 512 votes to Maci Mattison Newsom 314. Early voting saw Barker leading 231 to Newsom’s 159. On election day, Barker garnered 281 to Newsom’s 155.
In Hopkins County, Keven Ellis, President of the Lufkin ISD School Board received 486 votes to 349 for retired teacher Mary Lou Bruner. The two were in a run-off for State Board of Education, District 9. According to the Secretary of State for Texas, Ellis won the 428 precincts in District 9 with 36,842 votes to Bruner’s 25,420.
In Hopkins County the only contested local race in the November General Election will be for Commissioner Precinct 3. That race pits Wade Bartley against Billy Emerson. All other local candidates ran on the Republican ticket and have no Democrat opponent.
Meal-a-Day Seeks Volunteer Cook and Driver
Meal-a-Day Center at the Senior Citizen’s Building, 150 MLK Blvd. Sulphur Springs is seeking a cook for one day per week and an every week-day driver for the Como-Pickton route. The meal-a-day center furnishes a meal to homebound residents and other in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. To volunteer or for more information contact the center at the location or call 903-885-1661.
