Lady Cats Bats Light Up the Night in First District Win
The Lady Cats Softball Team started district play just like it was any other game this year. This district opener for both teams was moved ahead one day because of threatening weather expected on Tuesday. That when the Lady Cats bats struck like lightning. Going into Monday night’s game, the Lady Cats were hitting an incredible .489 as a team. The Lady Cats’ offense once again was clicking on all cylinders in a 22-7 win at Longview.
The Lady Cats are now 1-0 in district play and 17-2 for the season. This was their ninth straight win.
Weather permitting, the Lady Cats will continue district play Friday night at 6 p.m. at Lady Cat Park as the Marshall Lady Mavericks come to town.
Dixon Trial Begins Monday Afternoon
A 12-member jury was picked Monday morning and began hearing opening arguments by 2 p.m. as the trial of Hunter James Dixon opened in the Eighth Judicial District Courtroom in the Hopkins County Courthouse. Dixon was indicted September 23, 2015 on eight counts of sexual assault of a child. He was arrested May 28th at the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department for aggravated sexual assault and continuous sexual assault of two girls under the age of ten. Later an assault of a child, a male, was been added to the list of charges.
In opening arguments, Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison stated that witnesses for the prosecution would include social workers, law enforcement officers. Harrison stated that the 20-year old Dixon was 17-years old when the offenses began. The Assistant DA said that the acts occurred beginning in 2012 and continued until 2015. Harrison stated that Dixon made a confession that was not coerced. The confession followed an approximate 45 minute interrogation and Dixon provided information that was not requested by interrogators.
Harrison displayed a diagram of key relationships of Dixon to those involved in the case. At the time of his arrest Sheriff’s Criminal Investigator Dennis Findley said the sheriff’s office was made aware of the first two cases on Tuesday, May 26th after an outcry by the two female victims made to their biological father. The male made his outcry to his stepfather. Chief criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum told KSST news at that time that the incidents had been occurring over several months.
In his opening remarks, Defense Attorney Frank Long said that Dixon went to the sheriff’s office to speak with officers at their invitation. Long said the officers did not tell Dixon that they already had in their possession a warrant for his arrest. He said officers did not inform him of the accusations against him.
Long stated to members of the jury panel that when the social workers addressed them during questioning, those social workers would be stating their opinion. He said the social workers would state facts and then attempt to explain away the discrepancies that did not fit the prosecutor’s case. He stressed jurors should consider reasonable doubt as they hear the testimonies.
Harrison told KSST News that he hopes to conclude his list of witnesses Tuesday.
Phone Scam Seeks Social Security Number
Phone scams continue to multiply and others cycle from place to place and year to year.
Currently, a KSST listener reports a caller claiming to have the 888 phone number for the Civic Procedures Division of the State of Texas. The caller says that the individual being called is being summoned in a civil court case and is requiring the one called to call the 1-888-864-4232 number and give a case number to find out any more information. The call is being made by those seeking your social security number.
There are several reviews regarding this scam on the internet.
Eighth Grade Students Endorsement Signing Night at High School
Monday night, eighth grade students in Sulphur Springs Middle School and their parents participated in an Endorsement Signing Night at Sulphur Springs High School from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. The event in the high school cafeteria will have the atmosphere of a sports signing day. However, the students and parents will be signing the high school path agreement that will guide the process of class choice for the next four years.
Jenny Arledge, Director of College and Career Readiness at SSHS, said students have a choice of several paths. “We wanted to make this a big event for the students,” she stated. During the time, students will receive a T-shirt, pizza, and participate in the activities.
Jury Picked Monday for Dixon Trial
Monday morning, March 7, in Eighth Judicial District Court a jury is being picked to hear testimony in the trial of Hunter James Dixon for multiple charges of continuous sexual abuse of a young child or children. The trial will begin shortly after the jury is picked.
Dixon was indicted September 23, 2015 on eight counts of sexual assault of a child. Dixon was arrested May 28th at the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department for aggravated sexual assault and continuous sexual assault of two girls under the age of ten. Later an assault of a child, a male, was been added to the list of charges.
At the time of his arrest Sheriff’s Criminal Investigator Dennis Findley said the sheriff’s office was made aware of the first two cases on Tuesday, May 26th after an outcry by the two female victims made to their biological father. The male made his outcry to his stepfather. Chief criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum told KSST news at that time that the incidents had been occurring over several months.
All three children were interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center in Winnsboro where specially trained Child Protective Services employees conduct such interviews for the area.
Business History Month: Party Gear+
Back in 1987, The Paper Factory started in the VF Mall in Sulphur Springs, Texas. After 25 years and several ownership changes, the last company that owned the chain decided small town America was no longer a priority and chose to rely on metropolitan and internet sales.
Thad Gregory had managed the store for the last 15 years that The Paper Factory was open and decided there was still a need for a party store in Sulphur Springs and reopened his store at the same location. Now after almost four years, parties are still the Gregory’s in small town America. Party Gear+ has everything you need to throw a fantastic party. With a variety of supplies for any type of party, event or shower, they are your one stop shop. From solid tableware to helium filled balloons, you will find what you are looking for at Party Gear+. Party Gear+ takes pride in helping their customers create fun and memorable parties. There are aisles of awesome things you need including greeting cards, wrapping paper, ribbon, stickers, tissue paper, streamers, gift boxes, bags, and more.
Thad and Stacie Gregory believe in the strength of a small-town economy powered by “mom-and-pop”, locally owned and operated companies. They are a part of the business community in Sulphur Springs at their store Party Gear+, stocking “your gear for the party, all year”! inside the VF Outlet Mall, located along the I-30 West service road at 614 Bill Bradford Road. The Gregory family welcomes you to browse their selection of party supplies, holiday items, or pick out the perfect greeting card.
Party Gear + can be contacted at 903-951-1818, on Facebook, and at partygearplus.com.
Lady Cats Now 14-2 on Season; Open District at Longview
The Lady Cats Softball Team remained unbeaten in a Wylie tournament this weekend with an 8-2 win over Richland Friday night. The Lady Cats scored 4 runs in the top of the first and added 4 more in the top of the fourth. Sadie Stroud, Sarah Womack and Brinklee Driver all drove home two runs. Jaye Doughtie had four hits, Bricklee Driver had three and Alyssa Abron had two. Sarah Womack pitched all seven innings allowing only two runs and five hits. She struck out three.
The Lady Cats improved their season record to 14-2. After games against Sherman and Wylie in the Wylie tournament, the Lady Cats will open district play at Longview Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Wildcats Go 2-2 in Lindale; Texarkana Tourney This Week
The Wildcats Baseball Team ended up winning two and losing two in a Lindale tournament Thursday through Saturday. On Saturday, the Wildcats lost to Atlanta, 7-3. The Rabbits scored three runs in the first and four more in the second on seven hits. The Wildcats chipped away with single runs in the second, fifth and seventh innings but it wasn’t nearly enough. Ryder Caddell drove home the Wildcats first run on a sacrifice fly. Tyler Follis, who had singled, scored. Follis drove home the second run using a squeeze bunt to score Triston McCormack, who had doubled. Easton Silman plated the Wildcats third run in the seventh with a fielder’s choice grounder that scored Michael Arnold, who had walked. Garrett Jones pitched the first two innings and took the loss. Tyler Follis and Mason Buck pitched the last five innings allowing no more runs. The Wildcats are now 3-5-1 for the season. They will play in a Texas High Tournament this coming Thursday through Saturday. They begin district play March 15 at Texas High.
Longview Lady Lobos, Lobos Overcome locals.
Friday night on the pitch belonged to Longview as both Wildcats and Lady Cats suffer losses.
The Longview Lady Lobos are far and away the district’s best team and Friday night at Gerald Prim Stadium, the Lady Lobos played like it in a 5-0 win. The Lady Lobos scored four first half goals and then scored a fifth just 28 seconds into the second half. The Lady Cats came into play Friday tied with Texas High for third place in the district. The Lady Cats district record is now 6-4-2. Their season mark is 15-5-2. After a week off during Spring Break for everybody else, the Lady Cats will resume district play at Texas High on March 15. The Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Cats at Prim Stadium on February 12
The Wildcats Soccer Team fell to Longview, 4-0 on the road Friday night. Longview got a goal in the first half and led 1-0 at halftime. The Lobos scored three unanswered goals in the second half. The loss dropped the Wildcats district record to 7-4-1. They are 12-9-2 for the season. After a week off for spring break for everyone else, the Wildcats will resume play during their spring break as they will host Texas High on Senior Night at The Prim on March 15.
Lady Cats Blitz Rockwall 12-2
It was another instance of good hitting and good pitching for the Lady Cats Softball Team. They blitzed Rockwall, 12-2 in a Wylie tournament game on Friday. The Lady Cats only led 3-2 after three innings but then they exploded for six runs in the 4th inning and three in the fifth inning. The Lady Cats hammered out 15 hits. Rightfielder Jaye Doughtie was the hitting star for the Lady Cats getting four hits while driving in 7 runs. Landri Bell was the winning pitcher throwing the first 4 innings. Brinklee Driver threw a scoreless fifth. Both pitchers gave up only 8 hits. The win improved the Lady Cats season record to 13-2.
