Miller Grove News by Brandon Darrow
Another week closer to Fall. The mornings have been cool and pleasant as we creep into the season of Autumn. I am anxious for the day when I can walk outside and see the my breath in front of me as I walk out the front door and a light jacket feels good until mid-morning.
I think the biggest news for our area took place at Monday night’s school board meeting. The decision was officially made to hire a contractor and third-party architect to assume the responsibility of constructing a 12,000 sq ft addition onto the current elementary building. The discussion of adding on to the elementary started as far back as 2010 but funding and varying enrollment prohibited the idea. Monday night the 5 board members present unanimously voted to commit to this endeavor with the motion being made by Bret Garrett and seconded by myself. The best thing about the addition is that we are not going to have to call for a bond election for the funds. After having a balanced budget for the last few years we are able to start the project without a bond being passed. Burnett Construction was awarded the job of designing and constructing the building. Enrollment has increased from the normal (approximately 240 students) to 286 students PK-12 during this school year – growth has made this project a reality. The new portion of the elementary campus will face the east and extend from the current building, moving the two portable buildings that are on-site now. These buildings will most likely be kept for storage.
In other school news I’m glad to report that the Fall Carnival has been scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30. Stew, chili, BINGO, and class booths will all be attractions for the night.
Congratulations to Ryan and Amanda Claxton. I hear that they are expecting their first child in February.
Also Mason and Harley Kerby welcomed a new family member into the world this week. Remie Mae Kerby was born Wednesday, Sept. 23, weighing 7 lbs and 14 oz and was 20 inches long at birth. Grandparents are Tim and Vonda Kerby of the Divide community and Eldon McWilliams is Little Remie’s great-grandfather.
Happy Birthday this week to Mark Garrett & Larry Mabe on Sept. 20, Tyler Darrow on Sept. 22, Jerald Wren on Sept. 24, Lana Mabe on Sept. 25, and HC Burns & Jennifer Darrow on Sept. 26.
Happy 53rd Anniversary to Johnny and Mary Lynn Ferguson on Sept. 22.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
Congratulations are in order for Mitchell Green, who is a quarterback for the Cooper Bulldogs. He was voted RRV (Red River Valley) Athlete of the Week. Mitchell is the grandson of Rick and Judy Petty of Tira.
Floyd and Martha Payton enjoyed a visit with Regina Payton of Victoria from Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning. On Friday they attended the Quilt Show at the ROC, where a lot of beautiful quilts were on display. Martha reports, “We discovered two Tira ladies displaying their handiwork – good job Gwen Karney and Carol Brice.” They had lunch at Furr’s before returning home.
An open house for the new North Hopkins Elementary School is planned for October 8th at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to tour the new facility.
The North Hopkins Alumni Homecoming is coming up on Saturday, October 10th. The event will begin with registration and Bingo at 4:30, followed by a BBQ meal at 5:30. After the meal, the Classes of 1965, 1975, and 1985 will be honored with a video presentation, and then the Monday Night Jam band will provide musical entertainment. The annual homecoming is for all former students and staff and their guests. Please pass the word.
Rylan Joslin – 3, son of Landon and Laiken Joslin, played in his first T-ball game on Saturday morning. His family was there to cheer him on.
Chip Vaughn attended the All-In men’s conference on Friday evening and Saturday morning, and then met his grandsons, Morgan and Kenden Joslin, at the Sulphur Springs airport, where they enjoyed seeing the planes and pilots at the fly-in.
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].
Jan Vaughn
903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Bring Cash, City Hosts Sale
With all the renovation and moving going on at Old City Hall, quite a bit of stuff has been accumulated by the city that still might have value to someone. Items will be sold off Friday from noon until 4:30 p.m. Bring cash. There are lots of bicycles, desks, filing cabinets, chairs, office furniture, washer, dryer, dish washer, TV, microwave and more.
MVHS Tigers Seek Second Win
Mount Vernon is looking to add a second win to the season when they face the Pittsburg Pirates, 7:30 pm, Friday, September 25, 2015 at Don Meredith Stadium.
The Tigers are coming off a 20-14 win over Lone Oak last week, but will be shorthanded with injuries to a couple of players according to Head Coach Dickey Meeks.
“Pittsburg is playing really well. It will be a challenge,” Meeks added.
The Pirates are undefeated in the preseason. They have outscored their opponents 158 to 69.
Tiger fans are encouraged to wear pink to “pink out the pirates” to raise awareness for breast cancer.
In addition to the regular halftime performances of the bands, students who attended the Tiger Cheer Camp last week will be performing.
(Kellee Cannon, KSST Intern)
Terrific Tuesdays Makes Life Easier for Caregivers
A Walk to Remember coming up October 1 and the seven mini-walks leading up to it are all a part of a fundraiser for the Terrific Tuesdays program at First United Methodist Church, Sulphur Springs. Joyce McDonald, the Director of Terrific Tuesdays, explained how the program works as a guest on KSST’s Good Morning Show with Enola Gay Thursday morning. Terrific Tuesday provides a day of respite for caregivers who care for those with memory loss.
Games, activities, and various themes occupy the time of those suffering with memory loss. For those who day-in-and-day-out give care, the day provides personal time with no fear for the health and welfare of their loved one. The loved one is benefited by being in a group where it is Okay not to remember.
“Updated” One Arrested, Two Suspects Sought in Lightning Rod Scam
One arrest has been made and two suspects are being sought as scam artists have been active in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County the past few days. Sheriff’s Department Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum warns people to be wary when anyone knocks on your door offering services. Tatum said an individual in a small, white passenger car is working both the city and the county. The driver is stating that he is checking roofs for lightning rods. This set of scam artists say they are working for an insurance company. When checking on lightning rods, they advocate roof repair. Their target is the elderly.
A resident in the south part of Hopkins County on State Highway 154 and a resident in Sulphur Springs near Walmart reported visits from the scam artist. Tatum alerted Lt. Tanner Crump in the county patrol division who visited the resident in the county. Investigator Dennis Finley was called in as well. Tatum said the individual lost a rather large amount of money to the scam artist.
Tatum warns that one should not allow strangers into their homes or talk to them, but do call the police. Finley traced one of the individuals to Smith County where he arrested one individual, Eric Lynn Johnson, 26. As of Thursday afternoon, Johnson has not had a magistrate’s hearing to set bond. Johnson is in Hopkins County Jail. Friday morning he was charged with theft and his bond was set at $25,000 in a magistrate hearing.
Macon, 52 Others Indicted by Hopkins County Grand Jury Wednesday
A total of 89 indictments against 53 individuals were handed down by a Hopkins County Grand Jury Wednesday, September 23, 2015.
Macon
Tressa Shana Macon indicted for hindering the apprehension of a felon. Macon, the girlfriend of Tilton Joshua Mapps, was apprehended while trying to assist Mapps eludes arrest. Mapps was indicted for the murder of Jonathon Trahern Young and for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence (see story here). Macon is in Hopkins County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
DIXON
Hunter James Dixon was indicted on eight counts of sexual assault of a child. Dixon was arrested May 28th sexual at the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department for aggravated sexual assault and continuous sexual assault of two girls under the age of ten. Later an assault of a child, a male, was been added to the list of charges. Bond for Dixon, who is in Hopkins County Jail, totals $2.2 million.
Joshua Cullen Lonidier was indicted for three counts of improper photography or visual recording. The Sulphur Springs man had been charged with releasing a private sex tape owned by his ex-girlfriend. He is in Hopkins County Jail on a total bond of $105, 000. The man reportedly sent the video to his ex-girlfriend’s family after they broke up. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigator Charles Humphries said Lonidier was arrested in Arcadia, Louisiana and was transported back to Hopkins County by Deputy Philips after signing extradition. The video was acquired by Lonidier when he went through the personal property of the ex-girlfriend. He then copied the videos and pictures before sending them out.
Scott
Alfred Ray Scott, 58, was indicted for Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon and Injury to a child/elderly/disabled person. Scott is in Hopkins County Jail on two bonds totaling $80,000.
Corey Durrell Jackson was indicted for Aggravated Assault causing serious harm. Anthony Wayne Dugan was indicted for Assault Family/House Member. Joseph Edward Woodall was indicted for Assault Family/House Member.
Sowell
Walter Samuel Sowell, 52, was indicted for injury to a child/elderly/disabled person. Sowell is in Hopkins County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Angela Marie Moore was indicted for one count of Abandon/Endanger a child and one count of possession of a controlled substance less than 1 gram.
Perry Jeff Yates and Stanton Wayne Yates were both indicted for theft of property less than $20,000. The two Hunt County brothers were arrested during an alleged burglary in progress in Collin County. They were found to be in possession of a gun reportedly stolen from Hopkins County. After a week of investigation, Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies Dennis Findley and Charles Humphries continue to find stolen weapons and work to make addition county burglary cases against the pair. Both remain in Hopkins County Jail.
Bearden
Indictments for burglary of a habitation include: Nathan James Bearden, 24, in Hopkins County Jail; Mabry James Gentry; Ashley Marie Gregory; and Adam Gregory Lindauer, 25, in Hopkins County Jail on $25,000 bond.
Lindauer
Linda Ann Miears was indicted for theft of property less than $20,000
Sheila Ann Grimes was indicted on five counts of possession of a controlled substance. Grimes is currently held in Franklin County Jail for Hopkins County on a total bond of $40,000.
Elzie Antwain Sneed was indicted for three counts including one each for possession of a controlled substance less than 4 grams, Tampering/Fabricating Physical Evidence, and manufacture/ delivery of a controlled substance. He is in Hopkins County Jail on a total of $30,000 bond.
Also indicted on one count each for possession of a controlled substance were Leonard Ray Taylor, Jason Scott Smith, Brent Glen Self, Jason Mathew Roberts, Kevin Bruce Petrick, Brittani Nicole Narvaiz, Cody Cheyene Brent Morehead, Danny Ray McPherson, Corey Ruesha McLane, Viviana Raquel Lopez, Billy Joe Lindley, Heather Lynn Franks, Christopher Lynn Dowdy, Mandy Michelle Crocker, John Michael Cockrum, Shawn Everett Beaird, Justin Dwayne Humphries, Christy Ann Wright, and Taylor Alane Hunter.
Indicted for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance was Bridgette Lashelle Bowen.
Mark Edward Covington was indicted for tampering with a witness.
Indicted on individual counts for tampering/fabricating physical evidence were Jeremy Dylan Brumit and Melaney Ann Tennison.
Curtis Lee Skeen was indicted for hindering apprehension.
Indicted for credit card or debit card abuse was Terrance Rena Pannell.
Brittany Nicole McClanahan was indicted for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Indicted for driving while intoxicated were Francisco Sierra Hernandez, Billy Doyle Davis, and David Dewayne Gordon
Indicted on individual counts for evading arrest/detention were Alif Hassan and Tory Olan Johnson.
Mays
Thomas Robert Mays, 45, was indicted for bail jumping and failure to appear. He is in Hopkins County Jail.
Tucker
Joseph Thomas Tucker, 46, was indicted for bail jumping and failure to appear. He is in Hopkins County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
Timmons
Brandon Ray Timmons, 21, was indicted for unlicensed possession of a firearm by a felon. He is being held in Franklin County Jail for Hopkins County.
Grand Jury Indicts Mapps For Murder, Tampering With Evidence
Wednesday afternoon, September 23 2015, a Hopkins County Grand Jury indicted Tilton Joshua Mapps for murder and for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Mapps, 20, was charged with the murder of Jonathan Trahern Young, 26, at Pacific Park June 8th of this year. The charge related to physical evidence was added on July 8th of this year.
Mapps became a suspect in the murder after local law enforcement questioned several witnesses at the park. Police obtained a warrant for Mapps arrest the day of the shooting. At that time, Mapps, who was known to live in Greenville, was considered armed and dangerous and area citizens were asked to report his whereabouts to local law enforcement.
Mapps allegedly shot Young multiple times and disposed of the fire arm after he admitted to throwing the weapon into an unspecified body of water. SSPD Criminal Investigator David Gilmore had said at the time that one of the key pieces of evidence in a homicide is the murder weapon. Gilmore said Mapps was very vague regarding what body of water the weapon was thrown. Tampering with evidence is a felony 3 carrying 2-10 years in a state penitentiary.
Mapps proved to be elusive. On June 11th, KSST News reported that Texas Ranger John Vance, the U. S. Marshal’s office, and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety were assisting in the search. They felt hampered in the search because, as they stated, the family members and associates of Mapps are not law abiding citizens and were assisting Mapps in eluding law officers. Mapps was arrested in Fort Smith Arkansas on Monday June 29.
Mapps, along with his girlfriend, Tressa Macon, were located by the Marshal’s office. Marshalls along with Ranger Vance, Sgt. Gilmore, and the Fort Smith Police made the arrest at an apartment complex where the pair and others were staying. Mapps was being assisted in his attempt to evade arrest by several individuals, according to Gilmore. A decoy car was used in an attempt to draw law officers away from the scene. After the first vehicle had left with two police cars giving chase, a second vehicle was used in which Mapps laid down in the back seat and, in an attempt to hide from view, pulled a pink swimming pool floaty over him. Gilmore said that the Marshal Service and the Fort Smith police worked together with a part of the force apprehending the first vehicle while the remainder of the force continued to watch the apartment. That group of officers was able to apprehend the second vehicle as Marshals converged on the vehicle as it was pulling away from the curb. Gilmore stated that even though the law officers had not worked together before, they were able to orchestrate the arrest as though they had worked on other arrests.
Chamber Connection September 24, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Chamber Connection
September 24, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Social Media…how to utilize it for Business…Better Your Business Luncheon…Tuesday, September 29th
Wish you knew how to utilize social media to help your business? Well, we have the perfect opportunity for YOU! Debbie Saviano, LinkedIn and Social Media Strategist will discuss how to incorporate social media into the business cycle. She will cover: 7 steps to a LinkedIn profile that rocks; Return on Influence; Relating to Millenniums in the work force; social media and the secret sauce to online success and how to use social media and LinkedIn as a strategic business driver. The presentation will be Tuesday, September 29th at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall from 11:30-1:00. $15 includes Lunch. Please RSVP to 903-885-6515 by Friday!
Ribbon Cutting for Cricket Wireless, Friday, September 25th at Noon
Please join us as we welcome Cricket Wireless to the Chamber of Commerce with their ribbon cutting and grand opening, tomorrow, Friday, September 25th at Noon. They are located at 1217 S Broadway Street in Sulphur Springs! Their grand opening will be going on from 10-7!
Rock Creek Rockin’ Bingo Bash, Friday, September 25th for 55 and over
Join Rock Creek Health & Rehabilitation for an evening of fun, food and fantastic prizes donated from local businesses. This is a free event for anyone 55 & over. For more information please call Judith Beck, Activity Director, 903-439-0107
Walk Like MADD Car & Bike Show, September 26th at Buford Park
If you have a car or bike that you would like to show off, then plan to register it for the Walk Like MADD Car & Bike Show, Saturday, September 26th. All Classes are welcome and the registration fee is only $25. The event is free to the public. They will open the gates for participants at 1:00 with judging taking place between 3:00 & 5:00. The winner will be announce at 5:30, with Glow presentation winner being announced at 8:00 pm. All proceeds benefit Hopkins County Walk Like MADD. For more information please contact Eddie Moon at [email protected] or call 903-534-6000.
Learning Endorsements and Professions Youth Expo L.E.A.P., Friday, October 2nd
Looking for a meaningful way to invest in your company’s future while networking with area businesses, school districts and colleges? Join Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas and the Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation on Friday, October 2nd at the Hopkins County Civic Center for the L.E.A.P. (Learning Endorsements and Professions) Youth Expo. This event will connect 8th grade students with local businesses and professionals. Exhibitors will provide students with a glimpse into various professions and explain and demonstrate various career options. Students will leave better prepared to make informed career and education decisions. We would love for your business to participate in L.E.A.P. Youth Expo 2015! Complete the Employer Registration form found at this link www.netxworkforce.org/documentcenter/view/456 Return via email to: [email protected]. Hurry! Space is limited, and they will fill booths by order in which registration is received.
John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Contest- October 3rd, 2015
Don’t miss the annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking contest. Each team will consist of 2 cooks who will prepare a meat, vegetable, bread, and dessert. Entry fee is $25 and cooks must furnish ingredients for their dishes. Cash prizes for First, Second and Third place. For full details and an entry form contact Rick Wilson at (903) 885-9692.
Lights of Life Half Marathon-October 3rd benefitting the HC Health Care Foundation
Register before September 11th to guarantee a T-shirt for the Lights of Life Half Marathon! Registration is $75 for an individual entry, $80 for Partner Relay (2 person) or $100 for a Team Relay (4 person). You may register at Fieldhouse Sports or at www.rctregister.com. For more information please call 903-438-4799. Packet pickup will be Friday, October 2nd from 6-9pm at Celebration Plaza.
Live 2 Lead Conference featuring John C. Maxwell, October 9th at Texas A&M Commerce
Live 2Lead is a half-day, leader development experience designed to equip attendees with new perspectives, practical tools and key takeaways. They will learn from world-class leadership experts, be prepared to implement a new action plan, and start leading when they get back to the office with renewed passion and commitment! For more information and to get tickets, please call 903-461-1823 or visit the website www.Learn-Live-Lead.com
We would like to welcome our newest members to the Chamber of Commerce:
Brightstar Church
525 Gilmer Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Michael Branch, Pastor
903-440-2806
Soundmind Productions
5755 CR 1100
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-440-2806
Michael Branch, Owner
Video Production
Redneck Bar & Grill (Redneck Roadhouse)
211 Main
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-1600
Terri Scott
Restaurant
That’s all for now…have a GREAT week!
Meredith Caddell
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
