Meth Dealer Shine Found Guilty of Three Counts of Organized Crime in Franklin County
Scott Everett Shine was found guilty of three counts of engaging in organized crime in the 8th Judicial District Court in Franklin County Wednesday afternoon. It was the third day of his trial. Shine faces 25 years to life as the punishment phase of the trial begins. The District Attorney’s office said some call Shine Franklin County’s number one methamphetamine dealer.
According to the DA’s office, the third day of trial should end the guilt/innocence phase of the trial. Should Shine be found guilty, the sentencing phase would begin Thursday.
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.
This is not his first encounter with law enforcement. Shine filed suit against Franklin County deputy Chris Mars that went before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit with a verdict returned in February 2012. Shine’s suit against Mars was for wrongful arrest. Shine had been arrested twice, September 4 and October 28, 2008 for selling drugs. The suit was dismissed when the court found that Mars had obtained a warrant from a judicial officer after the plaintiff had been indicted by a grand jury.
Doctor’s Day At Memorial Hospital
Memorial Hospital and Clinic celebrated Doctor’s Day today by providing a luncheon to all of our providers. Doctor’s Day is March 30th.
City Spring Clean Up Week is April 4-9
Once again, City Wide cleanup will allow Sulphur Springs residents to dispose unwanted items including green waste. This year the week of April 4-9, Monday through Saturday, is the date.
Only city residents are allowed to utilize the disposal area. One must bring a water bill and driver’s license to identify as a city resident. No household hazardous materials such as batteries, paint, chemicals, refrigeration materials, and/or tires will be accepted at the disposal site, according to City Manager Marc Maxwell. Assistance will be available for the resident.
Maxwell said much of that which is disposed during the week is green waste such as brush and limbs. Residents are asked to tie down brush that is taken to the disposal site. He stated green waste would be piled up and burned.
The disposal site, the same location as past years, is located one quarter mile east of Flowserve.
Warrant Sought for the Arrest of Suspect in Cattle Panel Theft
Wedneday morning Sulphur Springs Police Detective Monty Tipps was securing a warrant for the arrest of an individual for the theft of cattle panels from Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. A lead suspect was developed late Tuesday and an arrest is expected soon. As local law enforcement continue their investigation, Sulphur Springs Police and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigators would like to speak to anyone who purchased Priefert panels on or after Sunday March 27, 2016. The panels would have been offered for sale by a black male in or from Sulphur Springs. If you or anyone purchased panels, please contact Detective Monty Tipps or County Chief Investigator Lewis Tatum.
For some time now, cattle panels worth approximately $15,000 have gone missing from the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, according to civic center staff. This has prompted the Civic Center to install security cameras. The cameras have provided information.
The latest theft occurred this past weekend according to the cameras. At 11 p.m. Saturday night the thief stacked the panels behind the building and returned at 6 a.m. the next morning to pick up the panels.
If you have any information regarding the thefts, contact the Sulphur Springs Police Department or Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office.
EDC Votes to Make Offer to Two California Companies
During recent board meeting, the Sulphur Springs Economic Development Corporation voted to make two offers to companies in California. Representatives of the two companies have visited Sulphur Springs in 2016 and are impressed with the community. One of the companies was so impressed by the people of Sulphur Springs and, in the individuals own words, “felt at home” to the point that the owner of one company suggested Sulphur Springs as a possible relocate to the other company owner. In this instance, one company is a supplier to the other and both are considering a move from California.
Roger Feagley, Executive Director of the EDC, said that representatives of the company had visited the Dining District at Celebration Plaza and continued talk about how nice the people that they met were. Feagley says that is a vital part of drawing a company to a community but there are other important concerns for companies as well. He stated that the EDC is in a distance race not a sprint as other communities vie for these companies.
Location for or relocation of a company involves cost of materials, transportation of good and/or services, and labor force factor heavily into the decision, according to Feagley. He used the analogy of an individual purchasing a house. One purchases a new home based on location, size of house, number of specific rooms, and size of lot or acreage attached. After choosing the new home, if the owner becomes dissatisfied, they may sell and purchase a new home. However, according to Feagley, companies chose new locations for their business or the expansion of their business knowing that if they chose wrong it will lead to economic failure and could end the company itself. “Companies do not have second options,” he said. He pointed out that if an owner makes the decision, the owner faces the trauma of the decision. If an employee of the company suggests the decision to be made and the move fails, it could mean his or her job. Therefore, Feagley stressed, the decisions for re-location can take up to a year or more. With both of these companies to whom the offer has been made, the owners are making the decision based on their own investigations.
There is no time-line for the decision to be made by the two companies. The EDC will remain in contact with the owners to answer any further questions or provide further information as needed.
Business History Month: Celebration Antiques
The Colbys feel they “came home” to Hopkins County when they moved to the area and became business people in downtown Sulphur Springs . Their store “Celebration Antiques” occupies historic space at 210 Connally Street, having been home to Haggar’s Dry Goods store in the 1920’s and Roberts Jewelers and Taking Care of Business in more recent years. Adam and Lara’s handiwork on the lofty, weathered surroundings makes a perfect showcase for antiques and the heritage of furniture craftsmanship. The Colby’s have hundreds of “finds” for you to discover, from fine antiques to primitives, collectibles and pieces that need a little TLC to re-purpose or refinish in your favorite style.
Lara has gathered a wide array of furniture dating from the early to mid-20th century…bureaus, buffets, secretarys, curios and armoires where beauty meets function…rockers, graceful tables and formal dining sets, all from a more genteel era. Beautifully framed artwork and vintage photographs can lend your family “instant heritage”. At Celebration Antiques, the affordability of these treasures is a pleasant surprise! Part of the shopping experience is the creak of the wood floor while a clock strikes the hour. Take your time and browse the upper and lower levels of the spacious store.
More will be added in time, including homemade soaps, beeswax furniture care products and greeting cards. Visit the store often and see what’s new, and old, inside the doors of Celebration Antiques! Located across from historic City National Bank in the heart of the city’s celebration district. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, and Sunday 11am-3pm. Phone 903-919-5053, and shop on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Celebration-Antiques-Inc-1202378879773588/ and at celebratetreasures.com
Pine Tree Rally Leads to Extra Inning Loss for Lady Cats
Defeats seem to hurt more when the game is one where you have already mentally put it in the win column prematurely. The Lady Cats of Sulphur Springs seemed to be cruising toward a certain victory Tuesday night against Pine Tree on the road. The Lady Cats jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the fifth inning. When the Lady Pirates got a single run in the fifth, it looked like too little too late. The Lady Pirates continued to chip away until they hit a dramatic three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the score 7-7. Pine Tree then won the game, 8-7 with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The Lady Cats slipped to 4-3 in district play after the first half of games. The Lady Cats have lost two games in a row and three of the last four. Their season record is 20-5. The Lady Cats are now tied for third in district. Pine Tree is one of the teams tied with the Lady Cats in third place. The Lady Cats begin the second half of district play as they will host Longview on Friday.
Pirates Sink Wildcats 6-2 Tuesday
The Pine Tree Pirates used a big four-run third inning to jump start a 6-2 win over the Wildcats at Eagle Stadium Tuesday night. In the third, the Pirates mixed three singles with a walk, a Wildcat error and a double steal to plate the four runs, two that were unearned. All four runs were charged to Wildcats’ starter Tyler Follis, who took the pitching loss.
Pine Tree also tacked on two more insurance runs off reliever Heston Golightly in the seventh inning. The Pirates used four hits, a balk and a wild pitch to score the two runs. The Wildcats scored twice in the bottom of the seventh but it wasn’t nearly enough. Triston McCormick, Heston Golightly and Ryan Humphries all had singles. Humphries hit drove home a run and Easton Silman drove in the second run on a fielder’s choice. The Pirates’ Jimmy Cravey got the complete game pitching win allowing the two runs on six hits.
Pine Tree improved to 3-2 in district play while the Wildcats slipped to 2-3 and 5-8-1 for the season. The Wildcats will play at Longview Friday night at 7 p.m.
