A Superlative for Each Lady Cats Volleyball Team Member
There was an honor for each and every member of the Lady Cats’ volleyball team as the All-District team has been released. A Lady Cat earned a superlative as senior Sarah Womack was named as the Defensive Player of the Year. First Team All-District selections for the Lady Cats were junior Tori Moore and sophomore Anden Hammack. Making the second team were sophomore Kaylee Jefferson and sophomore Mieke VanBenthem. Honorable mention selections were senior Sidney Dietze, senior Molly Johnston and freshman Autumn Tanton. Every member of the team, all nine made Academic All-District: Sidney Dietze, Sarah Womack, Molly Johnston, Tori Moore, Anden Hammack, Kaylee Jefferson, Mieke VanBenthem. Autumn Tanton and Abbi Baier.
Salvation Army Angel Tree Signup Saturday
Two Salvation Army “Angel Tree” signups are planned at the VF Outlet Mall on Saturday November 14 from 9am til noon and on Tuesday November 17 from 4pm-6:30pm. Families with children can register for the annual help from Salvation Army, this year in the form of needed clothing, coats, etc. Parents need to bring documentation to qualify for Angel Tree. For details, contact Tammi at 903-348-9543. Additionally, this year’s toy needs are being handled by the Blue Santa program. Find out about Blue Santa at Can-Help, 613 Gilmer St.
Four Republicans Seek Sheriff’s Office: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
November 13, 2015 – Voters in the Republican Primary election in March will chose the next Sheriff for Hopkins County unless someone registers to run in the Democratic Primary. Although formal filing for election begins next week, four men have announced their candidacy for Sheriff. Each of the four will have the opportunity to address those attending the Hopkins County Republican breakfast meeting Saturday 8 a.m. at League Street Church of Christ Fellowship Hall.
Those who have announced their intent to file include Lewis Tatum, current Chief Criminal Investigator for the local Sheriff’s Department, twin brothers Harry Washington, a narcotics investigator in Hunt County, and Barry Washington, retired DPS trooper, and Warren Mitchell, an undercover narcotics officer in Hunt County.
In the following, an attempt has been made through interviews and some research to present for each candidate the good, the bad, and the ugly. Voters will decide the Republican nominee and, perhaps, who will be sheriff in March of 2016. The final result will be decided by a majority vote and if there is a candidate seeking the Democrats’ nomination.
Lewis Tatum has 18 years of experience in law enforcement in Hopkins County. As a member of the Sheriff’s Posse, Tatum was encouraged through sponsorship and scholarship to attend the police academy. Upon completion, Tatum became a patrol deputy and was later promoted to the Criminal Investigation Division that he now leads. Along with his work in criminal investigation, Tatum has been charged with budget and communicating with Commissioners’ Court regarding the Sheriff’s office.
Tatum says there is an 87.25 clearance rate for criminal matters. This is a high rate in law enforcement. Lewis credits the fact that deputies have been trained in investigation techniques and have, in some instances, been able to work the case before it reached investigators. He stated that field work is a key to the clearance rate.
An Internet Crimes Against Children department has been a great asset to the department according to Lewis. He stated that, if elected, he would move Deputy Sgt. Corley Weatherford to the Criminal Investigation Division. Weatherford is being trained to run a computer lab for which federal authorities are paying. Lewis had a leadership role in securing the lab for the county.
Tatum expects to continue working with citizens and Commissioners’ precinct workers, whom he credits for great help in solving cases in the county.
In an effort to stop turn over in dispatch and jail employees, Tatum helped secure a pay raise for jail and dispatch this past year. He said deputies are happy with the work schedules that have been arranged as well.
Barry Washington, a native of Sulphur Springs, retired after 25 years of service in the Texas Department of Public Safety and has been a Deputy Marshall in Tenaha, Texas and a probation officer. He has management experience as a Highway Patrol Corporal and as a Narcotics Sergeant Investigator for the Department of Public Safety. Barry tested academically and went before 3 Texas Ranger boards. He applied for U.S. Marshal in the East Texas District during the George W. Bush presidency and was one of three finalists that were chosen to be interviewed by Phil Graham and Kay Bailey Hutchison for the position. He received a Special Ranger Commission from DPS.
Washington said he has a vision to unite residents, churches, and schools around a common cause that will make a long term difference in the county. He believes the common cause should begin with children and young people. Quoting Proverbs 22:6, Washington says a mentoring program like one that was started in Carthage, Texas when he was stationed there with DPS would be beneficial.
Barry Washington was featured in Real Stories of Highway Patrol and Parade Magazine for leading Texas in interdiction stops after the International Conference of Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Association and for mentoring high school age young people. Barry attends First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs.
However, in a news story presented a few years ago by CNN, whom Washington refers to as the “Communist News Network”, he was depicted as less than a role model for law enforcement. Washington stated that his two and one half years in Tenaha were troublesome. He was named in a Class Action suit that accused him, the District Attorney, and mayor of the city of racial profiling, extortion, and a number of other infractions in law enforcement rules. He said he does not hide his work in Tenaha and that he has no idea how the civic suit ended. He said the city’s insurance paid off the law suit. Washington claims any charges in the suit were brought because he and the others named were voting Republican and not Democrat. The ACLU Class Action suit alleged that plaintiffs lost hundreds and even thousands of dollars to Washington and others. In a deposition Washington gave, he stated that religion and ethnicity of the motorists were a factor relevant to establishing reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. In recorded testimony he said, “There could even be indicators on the vehicle. The number one thing is you have two guys topped, and these two guys are from New York. They’re two Puerto Ricans. Their driving a car that has a Baptist Church symbol on the back, says First Baptist Church of New York.”
Between 2006 and 2008, Teneha Police Department seized property from 200 motorists. In about 50 cases, suspects were charged with drug possession but in 147 incidents, police seized cash, jewelry, cell phone, and automobiles. It is stated that 150 motorists had property seized totally more than $3-million. Some individuals were stopped, money forfeited, and the individuals released without charge.
Regarding running against his brother, he stated that families need to respect each other.
Harry D. Washington, Barry’s brother announced his intention to run for the Office of Sheriff in Hopkins County before Barry announced. Harry is a 28 year Veteran Peace Officer who holds a Master Peace Officer and instructors license. He began his career with the Pittsburg and Mt Pleasant Police departments. For 16 years he was an Investigator with Ark-La-Tex Narcotics Task Force, commissioned by Cass County District Attorney Office under the command of Texas Department of Public Safety. He has also served as a Special Crimes Investigator with the Morris County District Attorney Office. Currently, he is with the Hunt County Sheriff Office as their Narcotics Investigator.
Washington stated that he desired a higher level of training for officers and the establishment of Citizens on Patrol. He said that citizens working with officers are the eyes and ears of the department. He calls himself a team player and said he will hand pick the people who work in his department, although, he expects few changes to be made to staff initially. He wants to do a better job of increasing the morale of the deputies. He said, “Everything we are doing is in love for this county.” He says honesty, integrity, and unity are the key virtues to the work he will carry out as sheriff.
Warren Mitchell, the most recent to announce his candidacy for sheriff, has 27 years in law enforcement. He said his experience comes from all levels from patrol to criminal investigation and tactical work. He has been recognized nationally for his work in narcotics. He has been the senior criminal investigator for the past twenty years and has obtained a Master Peace Officer License and Instructor certificate.
In 2012 Mitchell was awarded by the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children for his work in the area of Collaborative Leadership in Law Enforcement. He is an instructor in the training program of the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. He is currently the State Executive Vice President for the Texas Narcotic Officers Association and will be state President of the association in 2016/2017.
Mitchell said he chose to be a peace officer for Hunt County because of the higher pay in that county. He has recently received permission to publish his picture in campaign advertising from his supervisors.
Mitchell said he thinks that individuals could be hired to be peace officers in Hopkins County prior to their certification in law enforcement. He cited the expense of the academy in that decision.
As the Sheriff of Hopkins County, Mitchell wants to share his knowledge of drug investigation with county deputies and investigators. He also wants more front line people on the county roads. By doing this it will lead to even greater amounts of property recovery and persons prosecuted for the crimes committed as many of the drug users are committing the crimes to support their drug usage.
The children of our county are the future of our county and they should be able to live in a safe environment free of volatile chemicals and substances that hurt them both physically and mentally.
Christmas Joys Mini and Carton2Garden
Christmas Joys Mini and Carton2Garden
What can I say, except, “wow!” Thanks for the fabulous response to the 2015 Extension “Christmas Joys” program held recently. Over 160 individuals attended or helped with preparations for this annual event. For those who were unable to attend, you have a second chance! Here are the details:
- What: Christmas Joys Mini session – you’ll get the entire booklet of all the recipes and directions for the items, along with a goody bag (as supplies last). I’ll be demonstrating crafts, projects, recipes, and food gift ideas.
- When: Wednesday, November 18, 2015
- Time: 1:30 p.m.
- Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston, Sulphur Springs
- Cost: $2
- Refreshments will be served.
Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up. Seating is limited to 40.
Carton 2 Garden
An exciting contest for schools is being offered. The Spring, 2016 Contest “Carton 2 Garden” contest is designed to showcase students’ creativity by re-purposing milk and juice cartons from their school cafeteria to either build or enhance their school garden. Educators can engage students in a hands-on experience creating teachable moments on environmental stewardship, sustainable packaging and healthy living. The best use of cartons in a school garden gives the school the chance to win one of 14 prizes with a grand prize valued at $5,000.
The carton2garden.com website recommends getting started on the right foot. Assign a classroom, teacher, or student team to be in charge of the project and start gathering cartons (suggestions: an art class, a home room, etc.). Have students draw up sketches of their ideas, then vote as a group on which one to make. Collect at least 100 cartons to use in your garden creation, then gather materials, assign tasks, make it, nurture it and enjoy a growing learning experience together.
The Entry Form Checklist lets you know what questions you should be prepared to answer on the entry form. You can submit up to 10 photos of your creation. To be eligible for the grand prize or a specialty prize, in addition to the entry form and photographs, submissions must also include a video link to represent their project.
Fourteen (14) schools with the most unique carton creations will be selected on May 13, 2016 to win award packages. One school will win the grand prize, valued at $5,000. Three (3) schools will win Specialty prizes (STEM, Sustainability, and Community Involvement), valued at $2,500. Ten (10) schools – five (5) elementary and five (5) middle/high – will win prizes valued at $1,000.
Entries are due Wednesday, April 16, but now is the time to start the thought process! For a full set of guidelines and more information, go to:
. This is a great opportunity for our Hopkins County Schools, private schools, or home-school groups!
Closing Thought
If you don’t build your dream, someone else will hire you to help them build theirs.
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
[email protected]
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
North Hopkins Elementary Principal, LeAnn Tadlock, shared that students and teachers at North Hopkins Elementary School wanted to thank veterans for their brave service and protection of our freedom, so they honored them with a come-and-go reception on Wednesday. Mrs. Tadlock said that several veterans stopped by for a visit. Refreshments were served and students wrote letters and cards, drew and colored pictures, and created a flag, made of felt hand shapes, to celebrate and honor service members.
Kim Beck reports, “My son, Jackson Dailey came over from TAMU-Commerce to speak at the Sulphur Bluff program honoring veterans. We were entertained by stories of his travels and some military history. Jackson co-founded the East Texas War & Memory Project at TAMU. They are striving to interview as many World War 2 veterans as they can find and have amassed a large archive.”
I would add that we all owe a debt of gratitude to our former and current service members.
The North Hopkins School Fall Carnival will be going on tonight (Friday, the 13th). Hamburgers and pizza will be available, beginning at 5:00. The booths will be open from 6:00 – 8:00, and then the Junior Class is sponsoring Bingo.
We are pleased to report that our son, Delayne Vaughn, a teacher and National Honor Society Sponsor at Waco High School, was named Teacher of the Week recently.
Jerry Wayne Smiddy, son of the late Lloyd and Beulah (Chapman) Smiddy of Tira, suffered a stroke recently. Chip and I were in Mesquite to visit him in the hospital on Saturday afternoon. We also got to see Gail, his wife, and Beverly, his daughter. Teresa, his other daughter was at work at the time. Dorreice (Horn) Shuptrine, of Plano, visited with him on Sunday and took him some of her delicious homemade fried pies and pralines. Please remember Jerry Wayne and his family in your prayers.
After leaving the Mesquite Specialty Hospital, we drove to Parkland Hospital to visit our friend, Diana McCauley. Her husband is Charlie McCauley, who directs the band at Sulphur Springs High School. Prayers are needed for them, as well.
We stopped for a wonderful dinner at Carino’s Italian restaurant on the way back.
Keep in mind that the Community Christmas Party will be coming up before long. The event is planned for Saturday evening, December 5th. Make plans to come visit with old friends and make new ones. Bring the kids for a visit with Santa!
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Danny Is Looking For a Home
During this month, some shelters are emphasizing adoption of older pets. Our very adoptable dog of the week this week is Danny. Danny is 9 years old. Hearts of Life Animal Rescue volunteer Deborah Balkcom brought Danny to KSST Wednesday.
To adopt a dog, call Hearts of Life Animal Rescue at 903 439-5019.
History By Foot Series Continues Saturday
Local historian John Sellers will be having another in his History by Foot series Saturday at 10 a.m. It costs $10. Call John at City National Bank for reservations. Sellers talked about his latest walk with Enola Gay on KSST’s Good Morning Show Thursday morning.
Sellers said the walk will follow College Street talking about First Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, early homes and businesses. Then, turning on Jackson Street, he will talk about the art-deco former bus stop. He will also point out specific businesses that were located on Jefferson Street. He also talks about the Bankhead Highway/Highway 67/The Broadway of America.
Here is the show:
Director’s Notebook… Hope Cain, Director, Public Library
Did Amazon just replace the public library?
Now I enjoy Amazon.com like many of you. I can accrue items in my shopping cart and order when I’m ready. I always get exactly what I want, with fair prices and quick (free) shipping…what’s not to like?
The article “Did Amazon just replace the public library?” written by Megan Garber is something I just had to take to task. What does it say? What does it mean? Am I out of a job??
In 2 words…Don’t worry!
Megan writes about the opening of Amazon’s Amazon Books store in Seattle. “It has a Barnes & Noble feel and is an experiment of the merging of digital retail and physical. It’s set up to encourage patrons to hang out, spend time, and settle down.”
Megan states, “Amazon Books is a store doing the work of a cultural institution. It’s about commerce, yes, but it’s also about collectivity. It is, in form if not in name, a library. And its librarians are the same people who serve as curators for amazon.com: fellow customers.”
Megan, a customer is one who must spend money, not a patron who is welcome no matter if they have a dime in their pocket or not. Amazon is a retailer. They sell things at the touch of a button: books, household goods, jewelry…lots and lots of things. They offer pricy subscriptions: $100 per year Prime for 2 day shipping, movie streaming, music and photo storage; $10 per month (or $120 per year) Kindle Unlimited for unlimited ebooks – but guess what…it’s not really “prime” or “unlimited” is it?
Everyone is equal when entering a public library – no one has to buy anything. Just use the free services. Our programs are free, our internet access is free, computer usage is free, cards are free, sitting and browsing our books, newspapers or magazines is free, information is free at the front desk – Where is early voting? Can I get ebooks on my phone? I need to learn about breast cancer. My child is worried about bullies. How do I begin using a computer? I need help filling out an application online. How warm should I keep my neighbor’s full bred hairless Chinese Crested dogs if the weather is cold and my heat is off? How do I care for my new kitten? What is there to do in Sulphur Springs? Where is the water office?
Sulphur Springs Public Library staff is here to greet, assist, answer, listen, suggest, smile, listen and react to needs and current events in the community. The building provides a safe friendly space for gathering, contains 2 local history museums/collections, a fun children’s area with local-made quilts, and a memorial brick walk in front showing the support this library received when being built. We offer services to anyone: small business, individuals, groups, schools, military, students, handicapped, special needs, out of towners, all ages, and all types of people. I don’t think Amazon Books can really and truly say all that!
Amazon has lots of stuff for purchase, but public libraries offer a value not equaled by Amazon. We care, we smile, we listen… we are community!
How have libraries shaped our future like Amazon never can? Many Americans say that their libraries are important in their lives, they identified the library visits as positive experiences, parents believe libraries are important for their children, and that libraries develop a love of reading and books. – Information from 2013 Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project.
Three general reasons American love their public libraries…1. Useful information they make accessible, 2. Public spaces they provide that help construct the community and 3. The literacy potential that reading, viewing and listening has to offer.
Libraries have shaped many individuals’ lives in such a way that their legacy can be felt many years later.
Thomas Edison would be “to sick to work” but could spend the entire day and evening reading books on electricity. Wilbur and Orville Wright rekindled their interest in flight after discovering a book on birds and how they fly in their library. Harry Truman says’” by the time I was 12 or 14 I have read every book in the Independence MO public library, including the encyclopedias…those books had a great influence on me.” 10 year old Martin Luther King Jr. looked forward to sharing what he learned with his librarian – new words, poems. The interest the librarian took and their communication was vital to his view of the world.
It is the first step into responsibility and adulthood to have your own library card and the civic responsibility to respect public property. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger was concerned after he landed US Airways flight in New York’s Hudson River, about the library book he had onboard, “it might come back late, even water damaged”
Oprah Winfrey says reading was “an open door for freedom in my life” that “allowed me to see a world beyond my grandmother’s front porch in Mississippi”. After Sonia Sotomayor’s father died, she buried herself in reading and especially loved the Nancy Drew series. She became a keen observer and listener.
Information, space and literacy! Americans love their libraries for all these reasons – justification enough to encourage even more of our citizens to use these much loved community incubators of personal happiness and informal self-education.
Excerpts from Did Amazon Just Replace the Public Library? by Megan Garber, The Atlantic, Nov. 3, 2015.
Excerpts from Amazon will Never, Ever, Replace Libraries by Alex Gallo-Brown, Motherboard, Nov. 6 2015.
Excerpts from Why Americans Love Their Public Libraries by Wayne A. Wiegand, The Northwestern Media October 27, 2015.
Pavilion Construction to Begin Soon
Work will begin soon on the Pavilion project in Buford Park. The city had been awaiting delivery of beams to use for the project and they are now at the location. City Manager Marc Maxwell stated a new manufacturer had been secured and the beams have been delivered. The original proposed supplier went out of business due to bankruptcy prior to delivering the product needed.
Maxwell said the foundation work is ready to begin in the next few weeks. Bar-H Construction has donated the labor to build the foundation with concrete supplied at a reduced price by Bell Concrete. S & S Commercial Services will construct the pavilion. Grocery Supply has donated $75,000 to the project.
Maxwell expects the project to be completed prior to the end of the school year.
Commercial Dumpster Exchange Underway; Residents Asked to Observe 7 a.m. Deadline
Commercial garbage pickup in the City of Sulphur Springs will not be interupted by a change in collection companies beginning January 1, 2016, according to City Manager Marc Maxwell. Sanitation Solutions is already putting their different colored dumpsters in place at commercial collection sites. Republic will continue to collect garbage at all locations until the end of the year. Schedules for commercial collection and residential collection will remain the same when the change occurs.
Maxwell pointed out that according to both the old contract and the new contract, residential customers are to have their trash curbside by 7 a.m. The existing contract with Republic and new contract with Sanitation Solutions calls for trash to be placed in bags and no more than six bags on collection day. Maxwell requests that residents observe the 7 a.m. curbside time, especially as the new company begins pickup January 1st.
This is the first change in trash service companies in 20 years. Sanitation Solutions, the new service company, will keep the expense the at the same rate for the city.
