Lady Cats Open District With 1 Point Loss to Longview
A two point first half lead for the Lady Cats and a one point lead at the end of the third quarter failed to secure a win for the locals as they began District 15 5-A competition Tuesday night on the road in Longview. The Lady Lobos outscored the Lady Cats 21-18 in the second half to gain a one point win, 41-40.
Both teams had met before with the Lady Lobos having the advantage in that game as well. However, the Lady Cats defensive performance made for a close game this week. Daieyshia Pruitt led Lady Cat scoring with 12. Kaylee Jefferson scored 11 and had 8 rebounds. Lexie Moore added 7 and Sadavia Porter and Tori Moore each contributed 5.
The Lady Cats try to even their district record Friday night when they host Marshall at the local gym. Freshmen game is at 5, JV at 6:15; and varsity at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 21, the Lady Cats host Texas High in an afternoon game with Frosh at noon, JV at 1:15 and varsity at 2:30 p.m.
A Year in Review – Marriage and Childcare Education
A Year in Review – Marriage and Childcare Education
Before I write another word, let me wish everyone a Merry Christmas! This is a joyous time of year when we gather to remember the true meaning of Christmas and enjoy time with family and friends. In my family, we are celebrating our daughter’s birthday and our sons’ Master’s degree graduation which recently took place on the same day!
However, there are many who are struggling emotionally this time of year, whether it is the first Christmas without a loved one, grappling with illness or other stressors. Be an encourager to those you see. Many inner struggles are not displayed on the outside, but as the saying goes, “Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet has some kind of need.”
Now, to change subjects, this column is the 3rd in a series of program summaries. This week will focus on one of my favorite topics – marriage education! I’ll also touch on the regional childcare conference which takes place every year.
Marriage education is recognized by the State of Texas as being vitally important to the economy and well-being of families, leading to a safer environment (Baseline Report on Marriage in the Lone Star State, Health and Human Services Commission, 2009). Marriage overwhelmingly benefits individuals, couples, families, and communities throughout the United States (National Marriage Project: The State of the Unions, 2007). The benefits of a healthy marriage seem to span almost all domains of lived experience
Four Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshops were held in 2015. Engaged couples and married couples took part. The topics covered were:
- Marriage Expectations: What expectations, either spoken or unspoken, does each individual bring to the relationship, and how does that impact the future or current marriage?
- Communication: What is each individual’s communication style – expander or contractor – and how does that play out in the relationship? Neither style is bad if used in the correct context.
- Conflict Resolution: What are the red flags exhibited in each individual? What is the response to conflict? The 10-step conflict resolution approach is reviewed.
- Money Management: How does each individual in the couple handle money? Do they know the basics in money management? The Bean Game serves as a tool for couples to plan a budget.
- Goals & Dreams: What does the couple want their marriage to look like in 10, 20, 30 years down the road? Couples receive a project to complete during the workshop and share their thoughts and dreams.
The workshop includes a combination of teaching styles – lecture, video, group activities, and group interaction.
Twenty-one couples (42 individuals) participated in the 2015 marriage education workshops. Upon completion of the workshop, each couple is given a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. This came to a total savings of $1,260. Community partners included:
– Idzi Bitsy Bakery
– Coffee Off the Square
– First Baptist Church Women on Missions Group
– Family & Consumer Sciences Committee
Additionally, I was able to participate in “A Formal Affair”, a bridal and special event fair held in the spring. Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshops will continue to be conducted in Hopkins County. Dates have been set for 2016, with the first one scheduled forSaturday, January 23, 2016. If you or someone you know plans to get married in 2016, give me a call. In the meantime, make plans to attend “A Formal Affair”, scheduled for Sunday, January 10, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center. I’ll be there with all the dates for Twogether in Texas for 2016.
Another event which takes place annually in partnership with Paris Junior College and Texas Workforce Commission is the Regional Childcare Conference. This conference allows childcare providers to reach their required face-to-face training hours, as well as provides resources for an effective childcare center. The 2015 workshop provided 6 hours of Inclusive training provided by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialists, as well as 2 additional hours of concurrent sessions on various topics, including seasonal crafts, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Shaken Baby, transportation, and childhood nutrition.
This conference had 136 participants, each receiving 8 hours of required Continuing Education Credits. In addition, childcare providers have access to a variety of on-line courses provided by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. These are accepted by the State of Texas Licensing Board. The Better Living for Texans newsletter is provided for daycare centers, schools, individuals, and agencies upon request. The newsletter provided nutrition information, recipes, and family mealtime segments and currently reaches approximately 5,000 households with each edition. As I’ve stated many times, today’s children aretomorrow’s leaders. We must nurture and train them to be responsible, dependable, and of good character.
Closing Thought
Geese flying to in formation ‘honk’ to encourage those up front to keep up with their speed. We need to make sure our ‘honking’ is encouraging. Individual empowerment results from quality ‘honking.’ Merry Christmas!
Childcare Conference participants enjoy the session of “Book Cooks” which incorporates math (measuring), hygiene (hand-washing), language arts (reading & listening), and science (reactions of ingredients when mixed or heated).
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
2015 Hopkins County Youth Science of Agriculture
2015 Hopkins County Youth Science of Agriculture
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources
Hopkins County, Texas
Relevance: As today’s youth are further removed from farming, their understanding of the importance of agriculture and how it impacts their daily lives diminishes. This Science of Agriculture (Ag Literacy/Awareness) program targets 4th grade students and teachers in Rains, Hopkins, Delta, Wood and Franklin Counties. The plan provided the following educational components: Educational support materials on Science of Agriculture, field trip to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, pre- and post-evaluation and information about 4-H opportunities for the participants and parents. During 2015 the plan included educational presentations in cattle milking, products and byproducts of the beef industry, dairy foods, 4-H, horse care, wildlife, small grains and cotton, poultry production, bee keeping and water conservation. This program targeted 857- 4th grade students in Rains, Wood, Delta, Franklin, Fannin and Hopkins Counties.
Response:
To address the needs of agricultural education to school grade youth, this plan conducted the following activities:
1. Ag in The Classroom Volunteer Meeting (October 2014): A working meeting after the 2014 educational event was held with presenters. Recognition for their support was expressed and comments/suggestions were taken. A definitive date was scheduled for 2015.
2. Organizational Meeting for 2015 Ag in the Classroom (February, 2015). County extension agents from Hopkins, Delta, Franklin and Rains Counties met to provide leadership for topic selection, volunteers and programmatic needs for the 2015 event.
3. Ag-in-the-classroom program planning with Ag in the classroom committee (May 2015). A meeting with participant volunteers and presenters was conducted to describe the differences and adjustments to the 2015 program.
4. Marketing/Promotion to Schools. An invitational letter to all elementary schools in the region was drafted and mailed to school superintendents and principals. A description of the program including the benefits for the children on their participation was included.
5. A pre-event evaluation consisting of 18 questions was given to 50 participants attending the Sulphur Springs Elementary School during September 2015.
6. Ag in the Classroom Event Implementation (949 attendees) (857 youth). The program consisted in a field trip to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Arena. The arena was set up in 11 stations with different agricultural topics on each one. The students were welcome at the same time and The Mobile Dairy Classroom session was delivered to the group. After the first session, smaller groups were divided into each station and 8 minute programs were delivered to the groups.
7. Science of Agriculture Teacher/Student Packets. A package of information was prepared and delivered to the teachers to use as reference material for their classroom.
8. A post-event evaluation consisting of 18 questions was given to 50 participants attending the Sulphur Springs Elementary School during late October 2015.
9. Plan Summary. Activities accomplished during the plan were summarized in a two page document.
10. Science of Agriculture Interpretation. Interpretation of the plan was compiled and distributed to key leaders of the community, media and the community in general.
During the delivery of the program, several volunteer groups provided student instructions, moving teaching display and caring for live animal part of the exhibits and teaching sessions.
Evaluation Strategy: An evaluation instrument (pre and post approach) was utilized to measure knowledge gained after the students participated in the program. A sample (50 students) was selected from the Sulphur Springs Elementary School to fill out the surveys before and after the educational event. Student survey result comparisons were conducted using a paired t-test.
Results: Survey results indicated that the knowledge gained by the Science of Agriculture plan was significant (P: 0.0319) (paired t- test t=2.59 df= 8). Student evaluations showed a significant knowledge gain after they experience the field event (Mean 62.5 % before the event vs 82.2 % after the event).
Acknowledgements: The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Office in Hopkins County would like to
thank the support of Hopkins-Rains Farm Bureau, Hopkins County Master Gardeners, Southwest Dairy Farmers, North East Texas Beef Improvement Organization, Hopkins County Master Gardeners, Shannon Pickering and the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center for their support during the implementation of this
plan.
For more information on these or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
Saltillo Basketball: Lions Lose to Panthers; Lady Lions Down Pleasant Grove
A fourth quarter edge and home court advantage allowed the North Hopkins Panthers to defeat the Saltillo Lions 55-45 Tuesday night. The Panthers led by one at the end of the first quarter, 12-11, then by three at the end of the half, 26-23. Saltillo kept it close in the third but the fourth quarter saw the Panthers add five more to their five point third quarter lead.
For the Lions, Lane Bench hit 16, Michael Simmons added 11, Walker McGill, Jonathon Vanholten, and Lyle Bench each added 6. The Lions are now 5-10 on the season and play in the Mt Vernon tourney beginning December 28. They face the hosts at 9 a.m.
Haylee Clover led scoring with 19 and Paula Boekhorst contributed 17 as the Lady Lions of Saltillo added one to the win column Tuesday night. The Lady Lions, now 13-5 on the season, defeated Pleasant Grove 45-40. Ana Gonzales assisted the win with 7 points and Rainie English had 2.
Pleasant Grove kept the game close with the Lady Lions leading 13-11 at the end of the first quarter and both teams repeating their totals in the second to provide a 26-22 Lady Lion halftime lead.
Lady Lion Junior Varsity had a bit more difficulty with Pleasant Grove as the Grove won 39-16.
Raza Bond Increased Due to Flight Risk
Bond for Mohammad Shabeeh Raza, 25, of Kansas City Missouri was increased to $200,000 after more information was made available to Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings and local law enforcement. Raza was arrested over the weekend 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 in Hopkins County jail now on $200,000 bond with stringent restrictions regarding travel should he be freed on bond.
Tanton Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison
Tuesday, December 15th, Terry Reese Tanton, 54, of Como was sentenced to 15 years in prison for each of three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Judge Eddie Northcutt of the 8th Judicial Court stacked the sentences to total 45 years. Tanton will be 76-years of age when eligable for parole. He was also fined $10,000.
Monday afternoon, Novemeber 30, District Judge Northcutt, Tanton pled no contest and was found guilty of three counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Minor—First Degree Felonies. Tanton was placed in custody in Hopkins County Jail. The sentencing phase of the trial was then set for December 15th.
Tanton, 53 at the time of his arrest, turned himself in at the Hopkins County Jail Wednesday, January 21, 2015, for aggravated sexual assault involving two girls, ages eight and ten. The three events took place on two days, January 2 and January 10.
McQueen Indicted for Murder; Grand Jury Indictments for December
December 15th, 2015 – Indictments handed down by a Hopkins County Grand Jury announced Monday afternoon, December 14, include:
Justin Joe McQueen, 19, was indicted for the October 11th murder of Jesse Louis Vasquez, 25. Vasquez died from gunshot wounds following a shootout on Ingram Street in Sulphur Springs. Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer pronounced Vasquez dead that Sunday night at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital ER. Sulphur Springs Police officers responded to a call in the 600 block of Ingram Street at 8:36 p.m. October 11. According to Police Chief Jay Sanders, officers found Vasquez laying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. That night, McQueen was found behind a building near Dairy Queen on Main Street and wanted to give himself up. He remains in Hopkins County jail on a one million dollar bond.
Michael Anthony Garcia, 28, was indicted for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and for Unlawful Possesion of a Firearm by a Felon, as well as for Tamper/Fabrication of Physical Evidence. Garcia was the second man charged in the shooting incident that took place October 11, 2015 on Ingram Street in Sulphur Springs. Garcia, brother of Jesse Luis Vasquez, the victim in the incident, turned himself in to Sulphur Springs Police and was arrested Monday, October 19. Garcia is said to have fired his weapon at 19-year old Justin Joe McQueen, who has been charged with the murder. When Garcia fired his weapon, he hit his brother in the arm instead of McQueen. Garcia’s shot did not kill his brother according to findings.
Joseph Rashad Washington, 22, was indicted for Assault Family/Household. Sulphur Springs Police arrested Washington on a Hopkins County warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon shortly after 1:30 a.m. Friday morning, May 15th at a convenience store.
Tammy Worley McCarter, 47, was indicted for Arson. She was arrested in connection with a fire that occurred Sunday morning November 2, 2015 at 11:35 a.m. 
on County Road 1100 in Brashear. She was charge with of arson of the habitation where she lived. Worley was arrested on a warrant Wednesday afternoon, November 5th at 2:41 p.m. near her home. At that time, County Fire Chief Kevin Yates stated, “Hopkins County Fire Department is pleased to announce that the newly reformed Hopkins County Fire Department Fire Marshals Division has made its first arrest since officially going back in to full time operation on October 1st of this year. The arrest follows three days of intense investigation following a structure fire on Sunday November 1st. We here at Hopkins County could not be prouder of our Fire Marshals Division that is a product of joint resourcing between the Hopkins County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office.”
Timothy Darren Cameron, 47, of Van Buren, Crawford County, Arkansas was indicted for Sexual Assault of a Child. According to Rusty Stillwagoner, Chief Investigation Officer with the Sulphur Springs Police Department, Cameron met a local 15 year old female on Facebook in June and developed relationship. They made personal contact in July in Sulphur Springs and participated in sex. The online relationship continued through September when they met again in Sulphur Springs. After that encounter, the minor attempted to break off the relationship. Cameron had other plans. He contacted the minor’s family members here by Facebook Messenger and told them about the relationship. The family contacted city police.
William Kyle Parks, 31, was indicted for Burglary of a Habitation. The Pickton man was arrested Tuesday, November 17, in connection with a Hopkins County home burglary at a residence on State Highway 154 South. Stolen goods worth at least $25,000 were recovered by Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies. Sheriff’s Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum stated that the owner of the stolen property posted pictures of the stolen items, including a Carlos Santana autographed guitar, on social media. A Hawkins business that had purchased the stolen items notified local authorities. A photo lineup shown to the purchaser led Tatum and a patrol deputy to travel to Pickton with a search warrant in hand.
Dakota Lane Diener, 19, was indicted for Theft of Property more than $2500 but less than $30,000. Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies responding to a disturbance call Sunday morning November 1 ended up with a case of a youth stealing a great deal of money from his grandparents. The young man admitted stealing $4,000 in cash. He also said he stole a check, which he made out to himself and cashed. He said he purchased a truck using the funds. His grandmother estimated about $30,000 had been taken since July 10th.
Randal Scott Green, 59, was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance more than 4 grams and less than 200 grams. In September, Green and a 52-year old Talco woman were placed under arrest after 134 grams of methamphetamine and $3400 in cash were found in the car they were driving. They were stopped for a traffic violation at the 112 mile marker near Cumby on eastbound I-30. Lawmen suspected illegal activity but the suspects refused to allow a search of their car. A police K-9 officer was brought to the scene and alerted on the trunk of the car. A search of the car produced the meth and money.
Dustin Bennett Sandlin, 32, was indicted for Sex Offenders Duty to Register.
Elizabeth Lorine Daehn was indicted for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
David Robert Cherry was indicted for Assault of a Public Servant.
Kayla Leaann Eakins Ennis was indicted for Burglary of a Habitation and for Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse.
Jason Allen Hooten was indicted on two counts of Burglary of a Building.
Robert Earl Nelson was indicted on three counts of theft of property under $2500.
Timothy Robert Ennis was indicted on one count of Credit Card Abuse.
Reginald Dewayne Franklin was indicted for Forgery of a Financial Instrument.
Steven Charles Gilreath was indicted for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.
Jeremy Dean Harris was indicted for Evading Arrest/Detention with a Vehicle and for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence.
Paul Adam Howell was indicted for Driving While Intoxicated.
Julio Cesar Tovar-Vega was indicted for Fraudulent Use of/Possession of Identification.
Douglas Judd Wolf was indicted for Unlawful Delivery Manufacture and possession of a Controlled Substance under one gram.
Steven Sablan was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance more than 4 grams and less than 200 grams.
Steven Derek Hanson was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance more than 1 gram and less than 4 grams in a Drug Free Zone and for Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 1 gram in a Drug Free Zone.
Johnathon Oren Steele was indicted for Possession of more than 1 gram and less than 4 grams in a Drug Free Zone.
Caitlan Danae Prestidge was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance more than 1 gram and less than 4 grams and for Possession of a Controlled Substance under 1 gram.
Those indicted separately for Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 1 gram and more than 4 grams:
- Donald Monroe Bartlett, Jr
- Ashlee Michele Burns
- Charles Allen Mathews
- Christopher John Stephens
- Justan Nathaniel Stubblefield
Those indicted separately for Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 1 gram:
- Sabrina Lorene Allen
- Tivenn Lin Edwards
- Adam Thomas Pearson
- Amy Sue Phillips
- Ronald Howard Thompson
- Tina Lee Zimmerman
Como Man Arrested for Burglary of Christmas Gifts and Toys
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 will inventory the gifts and toys recovered Tuesday, December 15th to determine if all have been 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 arrests. The television sold was not from this burglary but from another that Lewis said should also be cleared today. Both burglaries may be tied to the indivdual arrested.
Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings set bond at $20,000 on Miller for the burglary charge.
Hopkins County Deputy’s Undercover Work Leads to Greenville Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Soliciation
Michael Henry Shahan, 32, of Greenville, Texas, was sentenced today, December 15, 2015, by U.S. District Judge David C. Godbey to 10 years in federal prison, following his guilty plea in September 2015 to one count of attempted enticement of a minor, announced John Parker, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.
According to documents filed in the case, in November 2015, an officer with the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office who was working online in an undercover capacity posing as a 15-year-old female encountered an individual who was later identified as Shahan. During their ensuing chats over a two-month period, Shahan sent the girl, whom he knew was 15-years-old, sexually explicit nude photographs of himself and insisted he wanted to meet her and engage in sexual activity with her. Their mid-January 2015 planned meeting was thwarted when Shahan’s wife did not stay home from work as expected and make available what was then the couple’s only car. The officer obtained an arrest warrant and Shahan was arrested soon thereafter. Shahan had images of child pornography on his cell phone as well as numerous chats about the contents of traded child pornography.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative, which was launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/. For more information about internet safety education, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/ and click on the tab “resources.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Hopkins County Sheriff Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Camille Sparks was in charge of the prosecution.
Tuesday Night Holiday Extravaganza Downtown Sulphur Springs
Yorri Franklin, Community Development Specialist for the City of Sulphur Springs, paid a visit to KSST to remind listeners and viewers about the downtown Holiday Extravaganza on Tuesday December 15 from 5-8pm. Shop for savings at participating shops, then present your sales recipt to downtown eateries for 10% off your dinner bill. Also catch the exciting Dancing Lights display on Celebration Plaza at the top of each hour, starting at 6pm!
