Lucas Seeks City Council Place 5
Wednesday afternoon, Jimmy Lucas filed to seek Place 5 on the Sulphur Springs City Council. The seat is currently held by incumbent Emily Glass.
Lucas has lived in Sulphur Springs his whole life and stated that he likes to say he is an original Sulphur Springs person because he is one of the few who have an 885 home phone number. He has never sought political office before.
Lucas said he manages millions of dollars in accounts for Coca Cola and feels this experience will serve him well if elected to the council. Lucas says he will listen to members of the Sulphur Springs community to bring ideas to the city. Although he is not ready to address his thoughts regarding his priorities for the city and the council, he said that he does want to make the public more aware of local government. He wants to listen to the people, gain feedback from the citizens and build the community. “People are missing out on a great opportunity to participate” in the city, Lucas stated. He also thinks utilizing social media more will involve more in the city governing process.
Eight Arrested; Special Crimes Unit Cracking Down On Drugs
Feb 11, 2016 – Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Special Crimes Unit arrested eight (8) individuals in connection with Possession of and Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine on Wednesday. Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum says that the arrests came as a result of four separate incidents and investigations.
Donald Brian Ellis, jr 25
Serving a warrant for Nathan James Bearden, Sgt. Estes made a traffic stop on East Loop 301 at Industrial Drive and Jefferson Street. Sgt. Estes immediately noticed nervous indicators for both the driver and the passenger. After gaining consent to search the vehicle, Sgt. Estes located a large, clear bag containing a crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine. The narcotics weighed in at 11.1 grams. Donald Brian Ellis, Jr., 25, and Courtney Rae Carrizales, 23, (not pictured) were both arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance greater than 4 grams and less than 200 grams with Intent to Distribute.
Nathan James Bearden, 24, was arrested Thursday morning for Unlawful Manufacturing and Delivery with Intent to Stimulate and currently awaits a magistrates hearing.
Brandon Jon Stowater, 18
Nicole Rae Pritchard, 35
During the investigation and search at the East Loop 301 traffic stop, a vehicle carrying three individuals pulled up to make contact with Ellis, Jr. and Carrizales. Brandon Jon Stowater, 18, was riding in the front passenger seat. Investigators clearly noticed Stowater attempting to hide something in the area of the seat. Stowater was then taken out of the vehicle and detained for the officers’ safety. The investigator could see in plain sight a Marlboro cigarette package with the top slightly opened in the passenger door. A clear plastic Ziploc bag could be seen sticking out of the cigarette pack. The bag was retrieved by the investigator and was found to contain approximately 7.7 grams of methamphetamine and a green, leafy substance believed to be marijuana. At that time, the driver and remaining passenger were asked to exit the vehicle. Stowater, Misti Michelle Neillon, 26, and Nicole Rae Pritchard, 25, were all arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance greater than 4 grams and less than 200 grams. Stowater was also found to be wanted on warrants in Upshur County for Burglary of a Habitation, Resisting Arrest, and Failure to Identify.
Steve Sterling Fouse, 46
Steve Sterling Fouse, 46
Also arrested were Steve Sterling Fouse, 46, and Cynthia Maline Smith, 36. Fouse was arrested during a traffic stop on State Highway 19 North at 1:18 pm Tuesday after officers discovered a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetime as well as a small, plastic bag containing three blue pills. Fouse was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 28 grams and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Smith, who had a warrant for Delivery of Simulated Controlled Substance, was located by officers at 212 Craig Street 2:00 pm on Wednesday. Smith was transported to Hopkins County Jail without incident.
Cynthia Maline Smith, 36
Misti Michelle Neillon, 26
Elvis Made the Scene
Sulphur Springs Senior Center hosted ‘A Date With Elvis’. Wes Smith pleased the crowd. Everyone had a great time.
Posted by Karon Templeton Weatherman on Wednesday, February 10, 2016
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Accepting Applications for Vocational Nursing Program
Carla Jones, right, of the Paris Junior College Health Occupations Department, assists Laura White of Sulphur Springs with her application for entry into the PJC vocational nursing program. White, a health science major, was among several students from the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center applying for the nursing program this week.
Ross Family Seeks Justice For Chance In Federal Court
A Hopkins County family is seeking a jury trial in the Sherman Division of the Eastern District Court of Texas. Shelly and Tony Ross seek damages for emotional distress, medical and funeral expenses, plus attorney fees in case number 4:16-cv-00095-ALM-CAN filed with the court by the David D. Davis Law office of Grand Prairie.
Named in the suit as defendants are the city of Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Sulphur Springs Police Lt. Brad Horton and officers Adrian Pruitt, Brandon Mayes, and Joe Scott, county deputies Nick Floyd and Paul Fenimore, as well as jailer Jeff Hightower. The suit claims these officers used excessive force, failed to protect, and inflicted emotional distress.
Ross died Sunday March 8th in Trinity Mother Frances Hospital where he had been transferred from Hopkins County Memorial Hospital where he had been taken for emergency treatment following what seemed to be a cardiac arrest while in custody at Hopkins County Jail. A Tyler Justice of the Peace ordered an autopsy (complete autopsy found here) immediately following his death.
Ross, 34, was arrested early Friday evening March 6 by Sulphur Springs’ police officers who responded to a call on Whitworth Street of a shirtless man acting erratically (video from arrest found here). Prior to being booked into Hopkins County Jail he was placed in the padded violence cell where he remained for 11 minutes before being found face down and unresponsive. Officers were able to find a faint pulse and called EMS. CPR was stared at the jail and his pulse was stronger but he was not breathing on his own when he arrived at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital.
According to police reports, Ross was arrested when officers encountered him and he was said to have balled his fist and charged an officer. The officer tazed Ross but Ross was able to pull the wires out and fled. The officer pursued and a fight ensued. Officers said Ross was difficult to contain and they were forced to taze him more than once. Ross continued to resist even when taken to jail according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders.
On April 9, Chief Sanders responded to a question asked during the Tuesday April 7th city council meeting. “Why are the three arresting officers still on duty while an investigation of the death of Chance Ross is being conducted?” This was the question asked by Ross’ brother, Chad Ross Tuesday night April 7th during the city council’s regular session. Ross stated that the family had viewed video of his brother being brought into jail without a shirt and having burn marks on his shoulders that seemed to have been the result of his having been tazed. Ross said his brother was handcuffed and escorted by three Sulphur Springs’ officers and that three county officers assisted those officers in stripping his brother of his pants and placing him in a cell. City officers remained on duty following questions regarding the arrest (see story here).
White Advances to State in FCCLA Competition
Mallory White, a junior at SSHS, will advance to the state FCCLA competition after a 6th place finish in Job Interview at the recent regional convention. White had prepared a portfolio and was interviewed regarding what she learned in the preparation.
Two Life Event Planning teams competed at the regional event but did not advance. FCCLA competitions include preparation of a teacher’s lesson for elementary school, job interview, focus on children, community service projects, and other career focused events.
Animal of the Week: Boogie
Boogie is a 2 year old male mutt who was picked up by Animal Shelter Officers on January 29 from the Mockingbird Lane area. Shelter Officers are currently unable to pin point his exact breed.
“We’re calling him a beagle mix because of his size,” Animal Shelter Officer Barbi Blanch said. “Maybe Shepard or even Husky. He’s kind of a Heinz 57, but he’s not very big.”
Boogie was originally owned by a homeless man. His owner tried to adopt him out before moving to Arkansas, but was unsuccessful.
“He was trying to find the dog a home, but he didn’t have a home either,” Officer Blanch said. “He just sort of left him and moved on.”
Boogie is a calm dog who enjoys gentle play and relaxing in holes. The holes that dot the front yard of the Shelter are the result of multiple dogs digging holes when placed in front of the Shelter for outside time.
“He’s very laid back and seems to get along with other dogs,” Officer Blanch said. “We’ve had him out in the back a couple of times with Buster Brown (previous Animal of the Week) and he seems to okay with anybody and everybody. He’ll play with other dogs and he seems to be the calmer of the two.”
Boogie is full grown and heart worm negative. He will be available for adoption during the February 13 off site adoption, but he will be at the Shelter. The off site — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Atwood’s — is restricted to puppies and small dogs. The Animal Shelter will also be open Saturday during the same time frame.
Ducks Unlimited Dinner Thursday
Ducks Unlimited began in 1937 during the Dust Bowl when the waterfowl population had plummeted to an all time low due to drought. A few sportsmen banded together and formed an organization with one mission; to preserve the continent’s waterfowl habitat. After years of faithful members spread across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Ducks Unlimited is the largest and most effective private waterfowl and wetlands conservation organization in the world.
Fundraisers around the country are held to support the organization such as fundraising banquets. Our local Ducks Unlimited banquet will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2016 from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. This event is open to the public and tickets will be sold at the door, single tickets are $55 and double tickets are $80. The ticket price includes a membership fee and dinner. There will be a live and silent auction, as well as a raffle drawing.
First District Loss for Lady Cats Soccer
The Lady Cats Soccer Team suffered their first district loss of the season in Longview, 3-1 Tuesday night. Lady Cats Coach Jesus DeLeon called the Lady Lobos the hardest opponent because of their depth. He said they make it where a team has to have everyone at the top of their game.
The Lady Lobos scored first and were able to add a second goal on a rare miscommunication in the Lady Cats defense. Lady Cat Mileena Zirreta’s goal made it a 2-1 contest late in the first half. Coach DeLeon said he was not willing to hang back and keep the score down in what more than likely would be a sure loss. He added pressing forward meant being vulnerable to counter attacks and sure enough a Longview counter attack resulted in a third goal. The Lady Cats are now 4-1 in district play and 13-2 for the season.
Next the Lady Cats return to Gerald Prim Stadium to play Texas High, a team that gave them problems last year. Coach DeLeon said the Lady Tigers might have come back to the pack some after graduation of a couple of last year’s good players.
