Miller Grove Woman Killed in Mower Accident
A 72-year old Miller Grove woman was killed while she mowed her lawn Thursday afternoon. The deceased has been identified as Bernice Dawes. She was pronounced dead by JP Brad Cummings at 2:48 p.m. Thursday. The accident occurred at a residence on County Road 1151 in Miller Grove. It appeared the woman was using a zero turn mower when it became stuck in a ditch. She apparently was using a chain and a little tractor attempting to pull the mower out of the ditch when the tractor fell down on her pinning her. Her body was discovered by a rural male carrier.
Bernice Dawes, Ph. D., age 72, was born in Lamar County, on June 26, 1943, the daughter of John Tom and Musa Tennie (Dunham) Dawes. She was an Occupational Therapist. She actively attended Community Bible Studies and worked for the Civil Service Department of Defense.
A Moment of Silence for Law Enforcement; Chief Sanders Thanks All Involved
A minute of silence was observed by law enforcement across the state of Texas Friday at 11 a.m. On Celebration Plaza city, county, and state law enforcement officers along with firemen and cadets paused to honor the life of Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth, 47. Goforth was gunned down as he was pumping gas into his car shortly after working an accident scene. Funeral services for Goforth began at 11 a.m. in the worship center of Second Baptist Church in Houston. Locally, officers received a call from dispatch noting the minute of silence. Lights on patrol vehicles were turned on and silence prevailed over a crowd of well over one hundred citizens and officers who had assembled.
Chief Jay Sanders said the event turned into a special event. He said paying tribute to Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth unified many in a day to remember and honor Goforth in his death and all officers for the commitment they have made to serve the public in keeping the law. Sanders expressed to KSST the thanks and appreciation of law enforcement to those who attended the event. Pointing out that 10 law enforcement officers had been killed in the line of duty in the past 14 days alone, he said individual officers felt they had a target on their back, especially when they are in uniform.
Sanders praised Hopkins County and city residents for the support given to law enforcement officers. He has concluded 30 years in law enforcement and 28th year locally. He said he would not want to be in any other place.
Join KSST in a Minute of Silence Today
Gov. Greg Abbott ordered flags lowered to half-staff Friday and called on the state’s law enforcement officers to turn on the red and blue flashing lights of their patrol vehicles for one minute at 11 a.m. Friday, which is same time that Goforth’s funeral is scheduled to begin at the Second Baptist Church in Houston.
![Deputy+Darren+Goforth[1]](https://www.ksstradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Deputy-Darren-Goforth1.jpg)
Deputy Darren Goforth
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
The Tira City Council Members met at the community center on Tuesday night for their regular quarterly meeting. They discussed routine business and set the date for the community Christmas party. It will be held on Saturday, December 5th.
Kevin Michael Rash, grandson of the late Wyman and Maxene Patterson, of Tira, passed away unexpectedly, at the age of 44, on Wednesday, August 26th. His mother, Brenda Rash, lives in Woodway, Texas, and his father, Ronnie Patterson, lives in Placerville, California. Chip and I picked up Glenda (Horn) Campbell, and went to the graveside service for our cousin at the Robinson Cemetery near Waco. Our son, Delayne Vaughn, met us there. Gib and Andi (Woodard) McCullough, of Tira, were also there to support Gib’s brother, Guy McCullough, who was a dear friend of Kevin. Following the service, we went to the First Baptist Church of Woodway for the family luncheon. Please remember Kevin’s family in your prayers.
Our grandson, Morgan Joslin, was among the North Hopkins athletes who competed in the cross-country meet at Avery on Thursday afternoon. He came away with a 3rd place finish.
Please make note of the North Hopkins Alumni Homecoming schedule. The event is planned for Saturday, October 10th, in the school cafeteria, beginning at 4:30 with Bingo and registration. A barbecue meal will be served at 5:30, at a cost of $12.50 per person. The Classes of 1965, 1975, & 1985 will be honored with a video presentation. All former students, staff members, and their guests are encouraged to attend. The Monday Night Jam band, which features some former NH students, will provide musical entertainment. Please pass the word.
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].
Miller Grove News by Brandon Darrow
So far, so good – that’s the word around the school. From all accounts it sounds like the first week of school was a success! One week down, only 175 more school days to go until next summer (ha ha).
This week I would like to congratulate Ray and Jacque Sparks and Kevin and Michelle Tipps on finding out that they are each going to have a baby in 2016!
County Line Baptist Church is coming along nicely with their new building. The slab as been poured and the frame-work going up now. It is located on top of the spot of the old church, which has now been torn down and removed from the site. It looks like it will also connect to the current Family Life building.
I was saddened to hear about the passing of Beuna (McVay) Carter. Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 2, with burial following in Clifton Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleburn Ray Carter in 2012. They were married in Emory on Sept. 5, 1946. She is survived by three children: Charles Ray Carter, Betty Marie Ivy, and Kenneth Wayne Carter; also by a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I was also sorry to hear about the lady who passed away yesterday on County Road 1151, in a tractor accident. She lived just south of Miller Grove and was Don and Jerri Petty’s neighbor. Please keep these families in your prayers.
Miller Grove locals, Johnny and Kathy Lennon, were recognized at Saturday night’s 4-H banquet which was held at League Street Church of Christ. They received accolades for being “4-H Supporters of the Year.” Their grandson, Braden Lennon, was also commended and recognized as being “Outstanding Junior Member,” and received many other awards that night.
Happy Birthday this week to Lavon Millsap on Aug. 30, my aunts Margaret (Millsap) Ragan & Mary (Millsap) Smith on Sept. 1, Betty McGowan & Amy (White) Rubarts on Sept. 2, Donald Sparks & Dianne (Russell) Hart on Sept. 3, and Nathan Petty on Sept. 4. Johnny and Joni Burns will celebrate 33 years of marriage on Sept. 5.
Happy 26th Anniversary to my uncle and aunt, Ronny and Kathy Darrow on Aug. 30. Happy 35th Anniversary wishes to Leon and Patsy (Johnson) Hallman on Aug. 31.
Thursday, Sept. 3, was the Miller Grove FFA Chapter’s annual Hamburger Supper. Burgers were served around 7 pm to community members and supporters of the Miller Grove FFA Chapter. I wasn’t able to go but passing by on my way home from work it looked like there was a good crowd there.
Volleyball games are also in full-swing. This is a busy time of year but if you have time please stop by and watch the girls one afternoon. I know they would be proud to get the support.
I received an email the other day from my friend, Deanna Hasten. She said that the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Show will be coming up on Sept. 18-19 at the ROC in Sulphur Springs. This year’s theme is going to be “Texas” and the two Miller Grove Quilts that are on display at the school will be moved there to be on display during the show. These two quilts are very important to our community. One displays the history of Miller Grove in each quilt block; the other displays the names of many community members who resided in Miller Grove over the years. The History quilt was made in 1985, for the Texas Sesquicentennial celebration. The second quilt was made the following year. It’s purpose was that each person who had their name on the quilt donated towards the project and the excess funds were used for my father to build a cabinet to house and display the quilts in the school. These quilts were made by the Extension Homemakers Club, which my grandmother Lela Darrow was a member of for years. Deanna also said that her grandsons, Riley and Cage Hasten were going to enter this year’s Junior Division of the Quilt Show as they have in the past. Good luck guys, we hope you do well!
Lastly, I want to let everyone know that I received an email from Miller Grove Fire Department’s Assistant Chief, Justin Block, a couple of weeks ago. They are looking for some volunteers to help out and lend their talents to serve our community. He said, “We are in desperate need of Volunteer Firefighters. We meet on the 2nd an 4thThursday of every month at the station at 7:00 PM just North of Stacey’s Fish Fry. We welcome anyone Male or Female who has the desire to help their community an their neighbor in their time of need. Anyone interested may contact my self or the Chief directly. Chief Jay Hoffman 903-274-9156 and Assistant Chief Justin Block 903-440-6577.”
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].
Reach Brandon at [email protected].
Watkins Starts First Game For Lions: A Mom’s Perspective
“Leaving Sulphur Springs and all the wonderful friends, fans, and coaches, we weren’t sure how college would feel, but Landon’s offensive line brothers have been amazing and all the coaches as well!” –DeOnna Gammill Watkins
College football season began across the nation Thursday night with games televised on several sports networks. Closer to home the Texas A & M University-Commerce Lions took the field at Memorial Stadium with former Sulphur Springs Wildcat #70 Landon Watkins anchoring the offensive line. The Lions posted their 200th win at home with a 48-17 victory over Adams State, Alamosa, Colorado. The Lions are ranked 22 in NCAA Division II polls.
A first game for a college freshman is always exciting but to also start at center for the offensive line carries even more emotional clout, not just for the player but also for his parents. “Dale [Landon’s dad] was about ready to puke,” as mom DeOnna described the family preparation for the game. She described herself as more calm, “I always have faith in his ability and am the calm maker in our family…I’ve watched Landon enough I knew he would give it his everything. That’s all we ask from him.”
She said Landon called early on game day and she had asked him if he was nervous. He was. At the game, Landon’s parents and grandparents were in attendance, along with a number of Sulphur Springs’ fans and college alums.
The Lions scored first with a 26-yard field goal capping a 9-play drive in the first quarter with just over 3 minutes to play. Three TD’s in the second quarter resulted from pass plays of 20, 86, and 34 yards. Adams State got on the board with 27-seconds left in the first half. Three running TD’s, two in the third quarter and one in the fourth, and a field goal totaled Lion scoring. The TD runs were for 27, 2, and 19 yards.
Also on the Lion roster from Sulphur Springs are Jess Jenkins and David Carpenter. All three, Watkins, Jenkins, and Carpenter are first year at A & M-Commerce and were Wildcat standouts last year.
Buckshot is Ready for Adoption
This week’s adoptable pet of the week from Hearts of Life Animal Rescue is Buckshot. Hearts of Life Volunteer Deborah Balkcom brought Buckshot by KSST Wednesday afternoon. Buckshot is six months old and very playful.
Locals Participate in Statewide Moment of Silence For Slain Deputy
There will be a moment of silence in Hopkins County Friday for a Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy slain in Houston last Friday. The moment of silence, at 11 a.m. Friday, coincides with the time of the funeral for 47-year old Darren Goforth, who was gunned down as he was pumping gas into his car shortly after working an accident scene.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said local officers will gather at Celebration Plaza to participate. Newsom said it seems that nationwide there is a dishonoring of law enforcement officers. Newsom said Texas Governor Greg Abbott will have law enforcement gather on the north side of the state capital. Locally, law enforcement will gather around the plaza and turn on their patrol car lights as they pause for the minute of silence.
Parents Receive Guidelines for Homecoming Deliveries to Schools
Homecoming for Sulphur Springs schools is Friday, September 11th. Many parents, homecoming dates, and others often have flowers and others memorabilia sent to the school for students during the day. SSISD asks that specific delivery guidelines be followed for Homecoming items. Below is a list of schools and their specific guidelines:
PK – 5th Grade Students
Parents of students in grades PK-5 are asked not to deliver or request any Homecoming items to be delivered to the campuses.
Students in grades PK-5 are not allowed to wear Homecoming mums or other Homecoming decorative items at school. Homecoming T-shirts are permitted.
SSMS Students
Parents may bring Homecoming flowers or gifts to the middle school before 2:45pm on Friday. Please attach a note with the student’s name and grade on the item, and give the secretary a separate note to send to the student. They will pick up their Homecoming flowers or gifts at the end of the instructional day.
SSHS Students
Parents may bring Homecoming flowers or gifts to the high school before 3:00pm on Friday. Please attach a note with the student’s name and grade on the item. They will pick up their Homecoming flowers or gifts at the end of the instructional day.
Florists can also deliver items to SSMS and SSHS. The schools have notified them of delivery protocol.
Any questions regarding the policy should be directed to the individual school.
Corrected Game Sites for Tonight, September 3
According to Wildcat Football Head Coach Greg Owens, a miscommunication with Sherman provided misinformation on the site of tonight’s freshman and junior varsity games. The correct site is Sulphur Springs Junior Varsity (white jersey) @ Sherman 5:30 (1 game). The Sulphur Springs 9th grade (blue jersey) host Sherman at 5:30. The Freshman A team plays at 7 p.m.
