Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
William and Joyce Dodd had their family over for Easter lunch, followed by an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Those attending included Michael McNiel, Tonja Jones, Alyssa, Gavin, and Ethan Shelton, Brad, Tanya, and Matthew Dodd, Stuart, Tiffany, Emery, and Ellianna McPherson. Rob Dodd also came by. Alyssa, Gavin, and Ethan had been to the Easter service at Tira Methodist Church, with Joyce.
Over Spring Break Robert, Yvonne, and Wesley Weir went to Medieval Times in Dallas. They also went to Six Flags with Dacy, Elise, and Eli Campbell. They were at Dacynd and Mike Campbell’s house for Easter lunch, along with Mike’s mom, Debra, and her frie, Dale, and his son, Rick. Dustin and Natalie Weir joined them, also. After lunch they visited Destri at Baylor Hospital, where Destri is having to stay while being monitored until the time for her baby to arrive. Wesley had tests at Children’s hospital on Wednesday.
The Weirs are hosting a party for the “My Hero” bowling club on Saturday.
Kim and Lee Beck were in Marietta, Texas for church on Easter and to visit with Kim’s sister, Kristi and her family.
A section of the parking lot at the Tira Community Center had to be torn up to repair a water leak underneath the pavement.
Jaidyn, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin were at our house on Saturday afternoon for an Easter egg hunt. They stayed and played for a while, and then Jaidyn went to a birthday party and she went skating with friends afterward. Darris Cross and Tiffany, Morgan, and Kenden went to Paris and did some shopping and went to see the movie, Miracles from Heaven. Darris, Tiffany, and the kids joined us for lunch after church on Easter Sunday. Grace Vaughn was here, too. Later in the afternoon, John Vaughn picked up Grace to have another Easter meal with them.
Landon, Laiken, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin celebrated Easter on Sunday with Laiken’s family.
Landon Joslin, our grandson, is currently self-employed – building sheds, dog houses, chicken coops, etc. and doing “handyman” jobs. If you have a project you would like to discuss with him, please give him a call at 903-951-6252.
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].
Miller Grove News
After not having enough time to submit a column last week and several things to report this week, there is no wonder that this week’s column is so lengthy.
Friday, Mar. 18, I made a trip down to Houston to go to the Livestock Show and Rodeo. I had never been, not even in high school when some of the other students went with Ag projects. Surprisingly, the traffic wasn’t bad at all and I was able to get to the grounds pretty easily. Vendors were set up near the show area and food carts were outside. Of course I had to sample a few things to eat while I was there. I happened to run into our Ag teacher, Brandon McClure, while I was looking at the Ag Mechanics projects. We talked for a few minutes and then I made my way through the maze of trailers and refurbished antique tractors to find a sheep dog contest going on in the show arena. Some of the dogs were pretty impressive on how well they listened to the commands of their masters to herd the sheep into the pen.
Several people with Miller Grove ties have passed lately. Some of them have not been in the community for a while and others were residents of “The Grove” for their entire life.
Tommie Truman Dicken, Jr. was laid to rest in Miller Grove Cemetery on Friday, Mar. 25, 2016 following a 2 pm funeral at Shannon Oaks Church. West Oaks Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs was in charge of arrangements. He passed in his home in Miller Grove on Mar. 21, 2016. “Junior” has he was known to everyone in our neck of the woods, was born Jan. 18, 1931, in Cumby, the son of Tommie Truman Dicken and Zoa Zula (Wooly) Dicken. He married Emma Sue Higgins on Jun. 14, 1952, in Tyler. Junior was a member of Shannon Oaks Church and also served as a Sergeant in the United States Army. After serving in the military, Junior was primarily a farmer – working with cattle and baling hay for the public. His wife Sue was always by his side. Growing up, I remember seeing Junior on a tractor more than I ever remember seeing him on foot or driving a vehicle. During later years Junior’s shop was a gathering place for men in the community. He is survived by his wife, 2 sons (Jeff and Blake Dicken), one daughter (Glenda Bassham), and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Cecil, J.D., & Truett Dicken; and sister Bonnie Kilgore.
Edmond Bayard Basye, of the Palestine community between Miller Grove and Cumby, recently passed away on Mar. 28, in Wylie. Funeral services were held Thursday, Mar. 31, at First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs. Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements with interment following in the Long Cemetery. Ed was born Feb. 16, 1931, in Dallas the son of E.B. and Rena (Butler) Basye. He married Geneva Rae Long on Christmas Day 1953, in Dallas. He served proudly in the Korean War and was a retired electrician by trade. He was also a Mason and a member of Hopkins County Military Coalition. Ed frequently served as one of the veterans who would conduct military honors at funerals in Hopkins County. He is survived by one son, Alan, and one daughter, Cindy Robison. He is also survived by several grandchildren. Ed was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
I just recently learned of the passing of Clellan Johnson who is a descendant of the Johnson and Burns families of Miller Grove. Clellan Vermon Johnson was born in Miller Grove on Sept. 8, 1934, the son of Claudie Vermon “Pete” Johnson and Martha Marie (Burns) Johnson. Clellan married Dorothy Sue Little on Aug. 28, 1954, on Peak Street in Dallas. He was preceded in death by Dorothy in 1996. Clellan passed on Dec. 15, 2015 and funeral services were held in Highland’s Christian Church in Dallas on Dec. 19 with graveside following in Grove Hill Memorial Park. He is survived by his wife, Catherine; 2 sons, Michael and David Johnson, 2 daughters, Tricia Johnson Perez and Carolyn Johnson; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
Ron Branom’s graveside service was held Thurs, Mar. 24, in Pippin & Hill Cemetery south of Miller Grove. Ronald Paul Branom was the son of Paul and Rachel (Randall) Branom, born in Sulphur Springs on Sept. 16, 1951. He died in Carrollton on Mar. 21. Survivors include two daughters, Rebecca Garrett and Victoria Branom; two grandchildren, Griffin and Breccan Garrett; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents. Arrangements were with Tapp Funeral Home.
Congratulations to Ray and Jacque Sparks. Their son, Samuel Alvie Sparks, was born Sunday, March 28 in Hopkins County Memorial Hospital. He was their Easter baby. He was born at 10:45 am and was 21 inches long, weighing 7 lbs and 6.2 oz. He was welcomed by a host of friends and family. Grandparents are Stephen and Fran Sparks and Kenneth and Charlotte Hayes, all of Miller Grove. Great-grandparents are William Alvie Sparks and Bertha Anne (Davis) Sparks, of Miller Grove, and Loretta Christian Godwin of Daugherty.
Austin Tipps is leaving for Springfield, Missouri soon to start truck driving school. Good luck to him on his new career path.
MG FFA recently competed in the annual forestry contest in Nacogdoches. Our team finished 5th out of 42 teams with Kelsey Abbott making it in the top 10. Congratulations to our students who participated!
MG UIL participants have done well this year with twelve students (competing in individual contests) and two teams advancing to the Regional competition. For more information check out the article that was published in the News-Telegram on Mar. 30 that made the front page. Here is a listing of their names: Kayleigh Lester, Kaleigh Poteet, Grand Earp, Eden Godwin, Kayla Ford, Isabella DeLong, Faith Wynn, Grant Sharp, Jake Pelerose, Johnny White, Alexis Serrano, Derek McCreight, Trent Wolfe, Denise Lopez, Tiffany McManus, Jasmin DelCastillo, Kelsey Abbott, Cassidy Seaney, Demi Weatherford, and Rosa Schones. Best wishes to each of the students who travel on to Nacogdoches for the next round of competing.
FFA and UIL are not the only two areas of for highlighting our students at MG. We have also had several athletic honors for this year’s basketball players. Rosa Schones (freshman) made the TABC all region team and TGCA all state team this year not to mention Offensive Player of the Year. Ashley Purser and Kayleigh Lester were name to first team all district while Aleigh Bessonett received second team honors and honorable mention was awarded to Candace Earp. Brennan Green received second team all district. Trey Lester and Derek McVeigh (seniors) along with Albert Serrano and Luke Brignon (sophomores) received honorable mention bragging rights.
April 4-15 will be Miller Grove Elementary’s annual Pre-K and Kindergarten Roundup. Anyone interested in enrolling their youngsters for the 2016-2017 school year can stop by to fill out a registration packet. Pre-Kers must by either 3 or 4 years of age as of Sept. 1 and Kindergarteners must by 5 years old by the Sept. 1 deadline. Contact the school at 903-459-3288 for more information.
I’m happy to say that my niece, Savanna Darrow, will be Baptized on Sunday, Apr. 3. She is very excited, along with the rest of her family.
Happy Belated and upcoming birthday to: Franklin Johnson & Colten Baylus on Mar. 29, Kendar (Dannheim) Fisher on Mar. 30, David Tipps on Mar. 31, Jean Benton on Apr. 2, Canyon Smith on Apr. 3, Rhonda Garrett on Apr. 4, J.W. Ragan on Apr. 6, Demi Weatherford & Kayla (Petty) Berkvens on Apr. 7, and Cole Burnett & Charles Regan on Apr. 8.
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].
Wildcats Tennis Continues Preparing for District
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said his players really competed at the Longview Lobo Invitational last week. The tournament, played on a windy day, featured more than twenty teams including Longview, Texas High, Lufkin and Kilgore. Coach Martinez said all his players made the top twelve in each division and most finished up in the top eight.
Coach Martinez said he continued to be pleased with the improvement in the boys doubles team of junior Harrison Harbin and freshman Blaine Flemens. In boys singles, he said veterans Jesse Allen and Andrew Sant continue to play well. He added veteran girls players Jaspyn Johnson and Karolina Espinoza also continue to play well.
Friday the Wildcats will play in a Kaufman tournament that will include Corsicana, Ennis, Forney and some Mesquite schools. It will be the last tournament for the Wildcats before the District Tournament next Tuesday and Wednesday in Texarkana.
Lady Cats Track Takes Second at Paris
The Lady Cats’ track team finished second at a Paris meet last week. Coach Triston Abron said his team had to compete not only with athletes from other teams but also with a wind he referred to as brutal.
In the 100-meter dash, N’ysa Dugan and Sadavia Porter finished first and second. Sheretta Hill was third in the 200-meter dash. Autumn Adams finished fifth in the 400-meter run. The Lady Cats 4X100-meter relay team won first and the 4X200-meter relay team was second. In the 110-meter hurdles, Mackenzie Moore was second and Faith Hatley was fifth. In the 300-meter hurdles, N’ysa Dugan got third and Faith Hatley sixth. Imani Taylor took first in both the long jump and triple jump.
The Lady Cats will have their final meet before the District Meet Friday in Mt. Pleasant. Coach Abron is hoping for the team’s first first place finish of the season. He said it won’t be easy against the likes of speedy teams like Mt. Pleasant, Texas High, Daingerfield, Pittsburg and Atlanta. The District Meet will take place in Pine Tree on April 13-14.
Three Life Sentences Concurrent for Meth Dealer in Franklin County
At noon Thursday, a Franklin County Jury sentenced Scott Everett Shine to three life sentences to run concurrent. Scott Everett Shine was found guilty of three counts of engaging in organized crime in the 8thJudicial District Court in Franklin County Wednesday afternoon. The District Attorney’s office said some call Shine Franklin County’s number one methamphetamine dealer. He is eligible for parole in 30 years.
In January, 2016 pretrial, district court records show he faced two counts of manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance over 4-grams and under 200-grams, one count of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance under 4-grams, and three counts of engaging in organized crime. The range of activity stretched from November 2014 to December 2015.
Search Continues For Members of ATV Crime Ring
Hurley and Local Law Enforcement
The last arrest was in February but Special Ranger Tony Hurley, Investigator for the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, says he and other law enforcement officers continue to seek one individual regarding the local theft of 11 All-Terrain Vehicles from Nor-Tex Tractor and one other member of the organized crime ring connected to the same type thefts in other areas. Arrests have been made from Seagoville, Texas to Oklahoma and Louisiana. Nine of those arrested were connected to the local theft.
Hopkins County Criminal investigators, Sulphur Springs Police Department Detectives, and Investigator Hurley have been working since last November with law enforcement across East Texas and beyond to round up what is thought to be a ring of some 20 or 21 individuals plying their trade of theft in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. The organized crime ring was responsible for the theft of eleven (11) utility, all-terrain vehicles locally. The units were stolen during two thefts occurring on April 23rd and November 23rd of 2015.
Leads in early January 2016 lead to seven (7) arrests and the recovery of twelve (12) Polaris Razors and two (2) Polaris Rangers. Approximately $234,000 in stolen property has been recovered including six (6) units from the November theft at Nor-Tex Tractors totaling $74,000 and eight (8) units stolen from other jurisdictions in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas totaling $160,000. In early February two others were arrested.
The suspects involved in the theft at Nor-Tex have been linked to burglaries in Lindale, Tyler and numerous other jurisdictions in Texas as well as other states as far east as Tennessee.
Bad Check Pays For 3rd Degree Felony
Timothy Randall Mayo, 45
Timothy Randall Mayo, 45, of Bonham, Texas, was arrested at his residence Wednesday afternoon on a warrant for Theft of Livestock. According to Special Ranger Tony Hurley, Mayo wrote a check to the Sulphur Springs Livestock and Dairy Auction sale barn for a cattle purchase in February, but it turned out to be a worthless check and therefore Mayo committed a 3rd degree felony theft.
Hurley arrested Mayo at his Bonham residence and took him to the Bonham Police Department where a magistrates hearing was held by Fannin County Justice of the Peace Royce W. Smithey. Mayo was then transported to the Hopkins County Jail where he now sits on $40,000 bond for a 3rd Degree Felony Theft of Livestock, less than 10 head of cattle valued at less than $30,000.
IRS Scammers Change Tactics
The Internal Revenue Service has some advice for taxpayers this April Fool’s Day that may prevent them from being the victim of a tax scam: Don’t be fooled by scammers. Stay safe and be informed. Here are some of the most recent IRS-related scams to be on the lookout for:
Scammers Change Tactics. The IRS is receiving new reports of scammers calling under the guise of verifying tax return information over the phone. The latest variation on this scam uses the current tax filing season as a hook. Scam artists call saying they are from the IRS and have received your tax return, and they just need to verify a few details to process it. The scam tries to get you to give up personal information such as a Social Security number or personal financial information, such as bank numbers or credit cards.
Tax Refund Scam Artists Posing as TAP. In this new email scam targeting taxpayers, people are receiving emails that appear to come from the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, a volunteer board that advises the IRS on issues affecting taxpayers. They try to trick you into providing personal and financial information. Do not respond or click the links in these emails. If you receive an email that appears to be from TAP regarding your personal tax information, forward it to [email protected].
Telephone Scams. Aggressive and threatening phone calls by criminals impersonating IRS agents remain an ongoing threat. The IRS has seen a surge of these phone scams in recent years as scam artists threaten taxpayers with police arrest, deportation, license revocation and more. These con artists often demand payment of back taxes on a prepaid debit card or by immediate wire transfer. Be alert to con artists impersonating IRS agents and demanding payment.
Note that the IRS will never:
- Call to demand immediate payment over the phone or call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
- Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
- Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
- Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
- Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone or threaten to bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
E-mail, Phishing and Malware Schemes. The IRS has seen an approximate 400 percent surge in phishing and malware incidents so far in the 2016 tax season.
The emails are designed to trick taxpayers into thinking these are official communications from the IRS or others in the tax industry, including tax software companies. The phishing schemes can ask taxpayers about a wide range of topics. Emails can seek information related to refunds, filing status, confirming personal information, ordering transcripts and verifying PIN information.
Variations of these scams can be seen via text messages, and the communications are being reported in every section of the country.
When people click on these email links, they are taken to sites designed to imitate an official-looking website, such as IRS.gov. The sites ask for Social Security numbers and other personal information, which could be used to help file false tax returns. The sites also may carry malware, which can infect your computer and allow criminals to access your files or track your keystrokes to gain information.
If you get a ‘phishing’ email, the IRS offers this advice:
- Don’t reply to the message.
- Don’t give out your personal or financial information.
- Forward the email to [email protected]. Then delete it.
- Don’t open any attachments or click on any links. They may have malicious code that will infect your computer.
More information on how to report phishing or phone scams is available on IRS.gov.
UPRA Spring Rodeo Planned by H C Rodeo Association
The Hopkins County Rodeo Association will put on the 2016 UPRA Spring Rodeo on Friday April 22 and Saturday April 23 at 7:30 pm in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center arena. Besides true rodeo events, many fun and exciting “community” events are open for the public to enter, including Mutton Bustin’ for youth, Chuck Wagon races, Steer Scrambles for adults and Calf Scrambles for kids. A Boot Scramble for youngsters will take place during the Friday night performance only.
Free child’s tickets for the Friday night rodeo will be given to students of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County schools, as well as Cooper, Rains and Mt. Vernon students. Friday April 22 ticket prices $10 adult, $8 children; Saturday April 23 ticket prices $12 adult (includes admission to dance) and $8 children. Both performances start at 7:30pm.For information, contact Oscar Aguilar at 903-243-0446.
