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.
Alexander Sentenced to TDCJ in Parole Violation
In Eighth Judicial District Court Thursday afternoon, Robert Mitchell Alexander, Jr was sentenced to seven (7) years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for Engaging in Organized Crime and two (2) years in prison for Assault Family Violence Impeding breathing and/or circulation. County Court at Law Judge Amy Smith pronounced the sentence in the place of District Judge Eddie Northcutt.
Alexander, who had been charged with engaging in organized crime in 2008, violated his probation and was also charged with committing family violence in 2015. He was arrested in January of this year on a bench warrant for violation of probation regarding both charges.
Herrera Sentenced in Indecency with a Child by Contact
24-year old Rene Herrera of Sulphur Springs received 10 years deferred sentence in a plea-bargain agreement made Thursday in Hopkins County’s Eighth Judicial District Court. Herrera had been charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child which was reduced to Indecency with a Child by Contact as a part of the plea bargain. As a result of the plea, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
Lady Cats Regional Quarterfinal Game Tonight
softball
If the weather cooperates, there should be Lady Cats playoff softball tonight. The Lady Cats are scheduled to face Mansfield Legacy at 7 p.m. this evening in Royse City. This is the first game in a best two out of three series. Game two is scheduled for tomorrow night at 6 p.m. in Royse City with game three, if necessary, to follow game two. Legacy went undefeated through their district and they have lost only 4 games all season long. The Lady Cats also have a sterling record as they are 29-6 for the season.
Legacy defeated Dallas Samuell and Mt. Pleasant to get to this regional quarterfinal game while the Lady Cats have downed Corsicana and Waxahachie. The Lady Cats and Legacy also met in a regional quarterfinal game three years ago with the Lady Mustangs taking a 4-2 win. That game was also at Royse City.
We’ll bring you all of the playoff action tonight from Royse City beginning at around 7 p.m. as the Lady Cats play Mansfield Legacy. We’ll also videotape the game for replay at a later date on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable.
HCMH Celebrates National Hospital Week
A hospital is more than a place where people go to heal, it is a part of the community that fosters health and represents hope. From providing treatment and comfort to the sick, to welcoming new life into the world, hospitals are central to a healthy and optimistic community. That’s the message organizers are touting with the 2016 National Hospital Week theme “Health Care from the Heart.”
“National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” Michael McAndrew, CEO of Memorial Hospital and Clinic said. “We’re extremely proud of each member of our staff and we recognize the important role they play in extending a sense of trust to our patients and our communities.”
Events for National Hospital Week and Nurses’ Week.
In honor of National Nurses’ Day, the nursing staff was treated to an evening of food, fun and fellowship at Arturo’s Wood Fired Pizza Gallery.
The annual health and wellness fair was held and all employees were encouraged to participate.
An employee appreciation dinner was held on Tuesday, May 10th for the hospital evening shift.
An employee appreciation luncheon was held on Wednesday, May 11th in The Gardens at Memorial. Memorial Hospital and Clinic managers and friends from Alliance Bank served BBQ from Bodacious. The food was provided by Memorial Hospital and Clinic Administration and Board of Directors. In conjunction with the picnic the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation held their annual cake walk to raise funds for use by the foundation to benefit the hospital.
Friday, the annual “5 Star Performance” featuring employees of both the hospital and clinic is held.
