Wildcats Tennis in Tournament Play
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said his team did well in a tournament last Friday hosted by Hallsville. Coach Martinez changed his boys doubles personnel and he said he liked what he saw last Friday. The team of junior Kade Brown and sophomore Joey Gatewood made it to the semifinals of consolation losing to a veteran team from Hallsville. The team of freshman Dwayne Flemmons and junior Harrison Harbin also played well according to Coach Martinez, especially since the new pairings had only been in place for a week or two.
Next the Wildcats will travel to a Kilgore tournament on February 12
Wildcats Powerlifting Takes First At Emory Rains
The Wildcats Powerlifting Team took first place at an Emory Rains Meet last Saturday. Wildcats Powerlifting Coach Jacob Alford said that ten members of his 11 man team earned medals and scored points.
Three lifters won first place in their weight classes: Oscar Yanez in the 114 pound class, Joel Morales in the 123 pound class and Isaiah Neal in the 181 pound class. Coach Alford said his lifters were getting better at every meet. He added right now six or seven of them would qualify for the regional meet.
Lifters have to be among the top twelve in the region in their weight class to qualify. The regional meet will take place March 5 in Lindale. Before that, the Wildcats will compete at a Paris meet on February 18.
“Updated, Additional Video”Renovation Bringing Change to the Civic Center Auditorium
Hopkins County Civic Center Auditorium is being renovated. Exterior doors are being raised and other work is being performed to prevent water in the building. Water in the auditorium has been a persisitent problem over the past years. Don Roundtree, who is directing the renovation, gave KSST a tour of the building Monday.
SSPD Monday Press Conference Video Regarding Organized Crime Ring
Monday Press Conference at the Sulphur Springs Police Department allowed a moment for Police Chief Jay Sanders to compliment the detectives who have investigated the theft of a number of all-terrain vehicles taken from NorTex Tractor and other dealerships in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Seven have been arrested and charged locally. Three additional suspects are being sought. Here is the press conference:
Flynn Notes His Conservatism Creates Good Fit With District 2
State Representative House District 2 Dan Flynn was in Sulphur Springs Tuesday morning for a meet and greet hosted by Donnie and Beth Wisenbaker. Flynn not only spoke of issues being faced in the state and district but is also seeking reelection to his post.
He also stopped by KSST Tuesday morning as well. KSST News talked to Flynn about his activity in the legislature and his campaign.
In the interview, Representative Flynn said Texas is the place to be right now. Several recent accomplishments of the legislature empower a continual healthy quality of life in the state according to Flynn. He stated that the legislature has given law enforcement at the border better equipment and more manpower. Regarding the border, Flynn said that this is a federal government responsibility to stop illegal immigration but he feels the state has assisted in slowing immigration.
Pro-life issues have been addressed with a conservative voice according to Flynn. He points out that his moral values require a conservative stance on the issue. Abortion laws have been strengthened in the legislature.
Transportation, education, and healthcare have been front burner issues as well. Toll roads have been built in recent years due to a lack of funds available to the state. Flynn said the toll roads that have been built were necessitated by need. However, he noted that tax moneys designated for roads will be directed toward specific needs. Public education and healthcare take up 80% of the state budget, according to Flynn. Flynn noted the reducing of testing in the STARR Test sequence from 15 to 5.
Second Amendment rights are also a priority for Texans and Flynn’s district. Flynn was named Legislator of the Year by the Texas Rifle Association.
Retirement benefits for retired teachers and state public employees have addressed in a proper manner as well. Flynn serves as the chair for the state retirement select-committee. He said police, fire, and municipal employee retirements were facing difficult days but answers are being found to answer the need of individuals living longer and retiring earlier.
Energy is a top priority for the legislature in the future. Flynn noted the challenge to the state budget with the fluctuation of oil prices. He stated that those who produce oil will find a way to keep profits flowing. Flynn also noted that a diversified economy that is known in Texas now will enable the state’s economy to continue strong.
Hopkins County inherited Flynn as state representative following redistricting. Flynn called redistricting the big gorilla around the neck. However, he notes Hopkins County has been a great fit for him. His ideals and the ideals of the area are much alike, he stated. Flynn noted the commitment of Hopkins County residents to enhancing life here. He said government is run by people that show up and the people of Hopkins County show up. He noted the Chamber of Commerce activities and especially the attendance at the chamber banquet each year. He also pointed to Celebration Plaza and both city and county activates that take place there as proof of citizen involvement.
He pointed out that he is a political conservative and that his current opponent cannot be more conservative that Flynn. Flynn stated that he was asked to form the TEA Party caucus when it was first formed. He stated that it has changed a little bit in its goals but he noted that he is representing the values of East Texas people and that is a conservative people. He said one only has to examine his positions taken on issues to note his conservatism.
Flynn’s response to challenges faced by his constituents has also been a priority. He noted that the day in and day out work of a legislator is not all that must be done. He stated his legislative staff works hard to listen to the need of those who seek the help of his office and then to follow through in finding answers to those needs. He notes that he is the voice of House District 2 in Austin and will continue to be committed to that task.
North Hopkins, Cumby in 2A Basketball District 14
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In Conference 2A Basketball Cumby and North Hopkins will face Campbell, Dallas Gateway, Martins Mill, and Quinlan Boles in District 14.
Other 2A Basketball alignments:
District 1 Boys Ranch Gruver Sanford-Fritch Stinnett West Texas Stratford Sunray Vega
District 2 Clarendon Claude Memphis Panhandle Wellington Wheeler
District 3 Bovina Farwell Hale Center Lockney Olton Sudan
District 4 Abernathy Crosbyton Floydada New Deal Post Ralls
District 5 Morton Plains Seagraves Smyer Sundown Tahoka
District 6 Anthony El Paso Da Vinci Fort Hancock Iraan McCamey Van Horn Wink
District 7 Christoval Eldorado Forsan Mertzon Irion County Miles Ozona Winters
District 8 Albany Anson Hamlin Haskell Hawley Roscoe Collegiate Stamford
District 9 Archer City Electra Munday Olney Petrolia Quanah Seymour Windthorst
District 10 De Leon Goldthwaite Hamilton Hico Meridian Ranger Santo
District 11 Alvord Chico Era Muenster Perrin-Whitt Poolville
District 12 Bells Collinsville Ivanhoe Rayburn Lindsay Tom Bean Valley View
District 13 Blue Ridge Celeste Honey Grove Merit Bland Trenton Wolfe City
District 14 Campbell Cumby Dallas Gateway Martins Mill Quinlan Boles North Hopkins
District 15 Avery Bogata Rivercrest Clarksville Detroit Linden-Kildare Maud McLeod Simms Bowie
District 16 Big Sandy Gary Gladewater Union Grove Hawkins Overton Price Carlisle
District 17 Bosqueville Chilton Crawford Moody Rosebud-Lott Valley Mills
District 18 Axtell Bremond Dawson Hubbard Mart Riesel Wortham
District 19 Cayuga Frost Italy Itasca Kerens La Rue La Poynor Malakoff Cross Roads
District 20 Centerville Dallardsville Big Sandy Grapeland Groveton Latexo Lovelady
District 21 Alto Cushing Douglass Mount Enterprise Neches New Summerfield
District 22 Chireno Joaquin San Augustine Shelbyville Tenaha Timpson Woden
District 23 Broaddus Brookeland Colmesneil Lufkin Pineywoods Community Academy Pineland West Sabine Zavalla
District 24 Deweyville Evadale Hull-Daisetta Sabine Pass Saratoga West Hardin
District 25 Granger Holland Milano Mumford Thorndale Thrall
District 26 Burton Iola Normangee North Zulch Snook Somerville
District 27 Center Point Harper Junction Mason San Saba
District 28 Flatonia Ganado Louise Shiner Weimar Yorktown
District 29 Brackettville Brackett Charlotte La Pryor SA Lee Academy Sabinal San Antonio Gervin San Antonio Stacey
District 30 Falls City Kenedy Pettus Port Aransas Refugio Woodsboro
District 31 Agua Dulce Ben Bolt-Palito Blanco Benavides Freer Premont Riviera Kaufer Three Rivers
District 32 La Villa Lasara San Isidro San Perlita Santa Maria
Grand Jury Returns February Indictment
The Hopkins County Grand Jury handed down 18 indictments Monday, February 1. Four were sealed indictments and names are not released until arrests are made.
Among those indicted whose names are released:
Raul Carrera Pichardo indicted for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. Pichardo, 35, turned himself in to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office without incident January 12th of this year on a warrant for aggravated sexual assault of a child. Bond was set at $35,000 after a bond agreement was made between Pichardo’s attorney and the District Attorney’s office. The incident occurred in October, 2014. Pichardo, a citizen of Mexico, remains in Hopkins County Jail for both the offense and for Homeland Security.
John Michael McKenney, 28, was indicted for two counts of Assault Family/House Member Impede Breath/Circulation. McKenney, 28 is in Hopkins County Jail held on a total of $30,000 bond for the two incidents.
Kristin Nicole Ramsey was indicted for two counts of Abandon Endangerment of a Child. Ramsey, 32, was arrested January 6th of this year and charged with two counts of child endangerment and one count of possession of a controlled substance. Someone noticed the two children unattended in the vehicle and called the Sulphur Springs Police Department. According to reports, Ramsey went to Pilot Truck Stop to buy methamphetamine Wednesday night. She parked next to the dealer’s vehicle and left her 5-year old and 2-year old daughter in her car while getting into the vehicle with the dealer to make her purchase. When officers arrived and were at her car, she exited the dealer’s vehicle and spoke with officers. They found drugs in her possession.
Mohammad Shabeeh Raz was indicted for one count of Online Solicitation of a Minor for Sex. Raza, 25, of Kansas City Missouri was arrested the weekend of December 12-13, 2015 for online solicitation of a minor. He was arrested after he finished a fresh shave in the restroom at a local convenience story. He arrived early to meet who he thought to be a female under 17-years of age with whom he had been communicating since April. When he exited the restroom he was welcomed by the open arms of Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs law enforcement (see original story A Close Shave). Bond was originally set at $75,000 and an ankle monitor would be ordered for his release. However, when ordering the ankle monitor, J. P. Cummings discovered that Raza held dual citizenship in the U. S. and in India. It was also disclosed that he had ties in Pakistan and had traveled to London and Europe recently. The Justice of the Peace deemed Raza a flight risk and required him to relinquish his passport and to remain in Texas should he be released. Raza has a 15-year old sister and father who live in Plano. Raza, who says he is a systems engineer for a company in Kansas City and claims Plano as his hometown, is free on a $200,000 bond with stringent restrictions regarding travel.
Christian Dior Young, 26, was indicted for one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams.
William Ryan Miller was indicted for one count of Burglary of a Habitation. The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department has made an arrest in connection with a burglary where a thief made off with lots of items inside a rural county home including Christmas gifts and toys. Sheriff’s Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum said William Ryan Miller, 25, of Como, has been arrested for the burglary. Tatum said weapons and televisions along with Christmas gifts and toys were taken from the residence. The weapons and televisions have been recovered and the residents of the home inventoried the gifts and toys recovered Tuesday, December 15th to determine if all were recovered. The items taken had been hidden in several locations according to Tatum. A tip through social media regarding the sale of a television led to the arrest.
Shawn Robert Jessee was indicted for one count of Theft of Property more than $2500 and less than $30,000.
Jimmy Don Lightfoot, jr. was indicted for one count of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.
Brenda Jean Durbin was indicted for one count of Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse.
David Grayson Smith was indicted for one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance over 1 gram and less than 4 grams.
Rhonda Kay Robinson was indicted for one caount of Possession of a Controlled Substance under 1 gram.
Fort Worth Stock Show A Success for Como-Pickton FFA
The first weekend of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo saw success for the Como-Pickton FFA. Caden Anglin won the winter yearling class in the Junior Brown Swiss Dairy Show with Berretta, a Brown Swiss heifer bred by Overstreet Farms of Chillicothe, Texas. This was Caden’s first time participating in a stock show.
Caden Anglin
Como-Pickton FFA also saw success in the Agricultural Mechanics show. FFA students exhibited 4 projects: a decorative gate, a cattle trim chute, a 24ft gooseneck lowboy trailer and a cattle squeeze chute, earning three blue ribbons and one red ribbon. The cattle squeeze chute won cattle handling equipment class and was named Livestock Equipment Division Champion. The chute received a $1650 cash prize, a $1000 certificate from Big Tex Trailers, three welding machines, a metal cut saw, Victor cutting torch rig and an auto darkening welding hood.
Tyler Osborne, Denton Lawson, Heston Wilburn and Robert Flewelling
Featured Image (L-R): Steven Grimaldi, Osvaldo Gutierrez, Robert Flewelling, Brynden Andrews, Jayden Stubbs, Tyler Osborne, Heston Wilburn, and Denton Lawson.
Local Law Enforcement Seeks Three Additional Suspects In Organized Crime Ring
SSPD Detectives stand in front of recovered ATVs.
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders and Detective Sergeant Lenwood “Bo” Fox held a press conference Monday morning to address the ongoing investigation and search for suspects involved in a large organized crime ring responsible for the theft of eleven (11) utility, all-terrain vehicles from Nor-Tex Tractor in Sulphur Springs. 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.
The seven (7) suspects who have been arrested include Brian E. Wheeler of Balch Springs; David Paul Rockwell of Terrell; Ricardo Saldivar, 34, of Combine; James Lindy Minter, 37, Joshua Christopher Terry, 34, and Laronda Kaye Reed, 29, all of Kemp; and Darrell Wayne Waites from Deville, Louisiana. All have been charged locally with organized criminal activity.
Investigators are currently searching for three remaining fugitives in connection with the Nor-Tex Tractor thefts: Christopher Lee Chambers of Maybank, Texas; Dustin Kyle Garcia of Scurry, Texas; and Christopher Brandon Garcia of Seagoville, Texas.
Sergeant Fox mentioned that some of the suspects involved in the theft at Nor-Tex have been linked to recent burglaries in Lindale, Tyler and numerous other jurisdictions in Texas as well as other states as far east as Tennessee.
Sergeant Fox said that Sulphur Springs Police Department has received assistance from numerous agencies during the investigation including the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and Tony Hurley with the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TCRA) Special Rangers as well as police departments and sheriff’s offices across Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Chief Sanders praised the effort and dedication the investigation team has put forth during the past month. “I just want to tell you how excited and how proud I am of our detectives who have broken up what I would call a ring of burglars and thieves,” Sanders said. “I am lucky.”
“Edge of Darkness” Highlights A & M-Commerce Planetarium’s 10th Anniversary
COMMERCE, TX –The Texas A&M University-Commerce Planetarium is pleased to announce its 10th Anniversary Celebration premiering its newest show, The Edge of Darkness, beginning at 6 p.m. on February 5, 2016.
The celebration will include presentations of The Edge of Darkness at 6, 6:45, and 8 p.m. with free admission. Drawings for door prizes will be held at 7:30 p.m. and include an Astroscan telescope, astronomy books, calendars and games as well as various other prizes. Visitors must be present to win. The event will also include a dig for children and demonstrations by physics graduate students, A&M-Commerce SPS members, as well as Planetarium staff.
The Edge of Darkness features amazing scenes of places never before seen. Images and information were gathered by key space missions that culminated with groundbreaking discoveries in 2015. The show features a spectacular flight though the great cliffs on comet 67P, a close look at the fascinating bright “lights” on Ceres, and the first ever close ups of dwarf binary planet Pluto/Charon and its moons. It is narrated by Hayley Atwell, Agent Carter from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the ABC television series. The show was produced by Evans and Sutherland who also gave us programming such as Stars of the Pharaohs, Seven Wonders and The Mystery of the Christmas Star.
The Planetarium’s 10th Anniversary Celebration will provide an opportunity to see the new show on the Digistar 5 system, robust images projected by high-end projectors in a hemispherical dome.
