First Same Sex Marriage License Issued Tuesday
Hopkins County Clerk’s office issued their first marriage license to a same-sex couple Tuesday morning. Applications were made available to the County Clerk’s office through their vender, NETDATA in time for the Tuesday morning request. The Tuesday morning request was not the first request made but was the first request that could be fulfilled.
Even though the license was issued, several who are qualified to conduct the ceremonies have stated they will not. That group includes civil judges who are qualified to perform weddings. Almost all cite religious reasons. Both Hopkins County Justices of the Peace have stated to KSST News Monday that they will not perform weddings. County Judge Robert Newsom, who is the pastor Sulphur Bluff Baptist Church, has also stated he will not perform same sex marriage ceremonies due to religious reasons.
Many religious leaders are tied to their denominational guidelines regarding the subject of same-sex marriages. The Bishop of the Tyler Catholic Diocese has instructed those serving churches in the region to not conduct same-sex marriages.
According to the website of the United Methodist Church for the North Texas area, the Bishop has reminded pastors and deacons that the Book of Discipline for the Methodist Church prohibits them from performing same sex ceremonies and prohibits church facilities being the location of same sex ceremonies. In his letter to churches North Texas, Bishop Michael McKee wrote, “At the Executive Session, I shared that many of you would want to be pastoral with faithful Christians who are members of your churches who now desire to be married to a person of the same gender. At that time I shared the ways you may pastorally participate: attend, read scripture, offer prayer, or give the meditation. United Methodist clergy in the North Texas Conference cannot preside over the ceremony, give the vows or the exchange of rings, pronounce the couple married, or sign the marriage license. If you are asked to participate, please be clear with the couple about what you can and cannot do. Additionally, I encourage you to contact your District Superintendent about your participation and the manner in which you will participate.”
A staff member at First Baptist Church stated that no member of their staff would perform same sex ceremonies and the church is re-writing their constitution and by-laws to disallow such services. Other conservative churches in the Sulphur Springs area oppose same-sex marriage.
The Episcopal Church in the Dallas area, which includes Sulphur Springs, has a statement posted on their website that in 2012, the General Convention of the church “resolved that God’s call is open to all… a provisional rite of blessing for same-gender relationships was authorized…”
MLK Church of Christ VBS July 25th, 2015
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ
This year we will be having our Vacation Bible School on July 27-29 at 7p.m. The theme for this year will be: TEAM POSSIBLE. We will have class for all ages and are encouraging to come out and support the event.
We will kick off our VBS on July 25 with an outing in Pacific Park from 2pm-9pm, there will be food, games, and great fellowshipping. If any other information is needed please feel free to contact us, I can be reach on my personal cell at: 662-874-2386 or via personal email:
God Bless, and look forward to seeing at our VBS.
His Humble Servants
Delante J. Jackson
MLK Church of Christ
Minister
“Updated” U S Marshal’s Service Take Lead in Mapps Arrest
“Good police work by the U S Marshal’s service,” said Sulphur Springs Police Detective Sgt. David Gilmore. Gilmore’s remarks were made Tuesday morning after his return to Sulphur Springs from Fort Smith, Arkansas where Tilton Isaiah Joshua Mapps had been arrested Monday afternoon at 1:45 p.m. for the murder of Johnathan Traehan Young. (See arrest story here.) Young died as the result of multiple gunshot wounds received June 8th at Pacific Park. Mapps, identified by witnesses at the scene, had fled and has been the object of a three week search by the SSPD, Texas Rangers, and the U S Marshal’s office in Sherman, Texas.
Also arrested Monday was Mapps’ girlfriend Tressa Makin. A warrant had been issued for her arrest for hindering apprehension of Mapps shortly after the homicide was committed. She was found in the apartment where Mapps was staying.
Mapps was traced to Fort Smith by the U S Marshal’s Service. Gilmore said the Marshall Service in Texas became involved at the invitation of local law enforcement since June 8. Monday, Gilmore and Texas Ranger John Vance joined the Arkansas Marshals who, along with the Fort Smith Police had staked out the apartment complex where Mapps was thought to be living. The Marshals orchestrated a surveillance gauntlet, according to Gilmore.
Mapps was being assisted in his attempt to evade arrest by several individuals, Gilmore said. 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.
Following the arrest, Gilmore and Ranger Vance interviewed both Mapps and Makin. Mapps admitted shooting Young at Pacific Park on June 8. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation.
Gilmore said more charges may be filed against Mapps for crossing state lines to avoid prosecution. Mapps was not armed at the time of his arrest. Along with Makin, other individuals may also be charged for seeking to protect Mapps from arrest.
Both Mapps and Makin will have an extradition hearing in the next week according to Gilmore. If they waive extradition, they will be brought back to Sulphur Springs by Hopkins County Sheriff’s officers soon. If they do not waive extradition, it will take longer for their return.
Gilmore said it was a good Monday, “no one was hurt” in the arrest.
The Importance of Sun Protection
Everyone has heard it’s important to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. From the mysteries of the ‘SPF’ number to fashion sunglasses that look cool, but can actually increase your eyes exposure to UV rays, I want to share some of my personal tips.
For example: you can protect yourself from sun damage by covering your skin with long pants, long sleeve shirts, and a wide-brimmed hat. Sunglasses are cool, yes, but make sure they actually have UV filtering. Fashion sunglasses can make your pupils dilate and actually let in more radiation.
In addition you must wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. The higher the SPF the more protection it provides. SPF is a measure of how well a sunscreen will protect skin from UVB rays, the kind of radiation that causes sunburn, damages skin, and can contribute to skin cancer. Sunscreen is most effective if it is applied before going outdoors (at least 30 minutes before exposure). Sunscreen must also be re-applied every hour for on going protection. When swimming or sweating re-apply every 20-30 minutes.
After you have taken all the previously mentioned precautions to protect yourself from the sun, find shade under a tree, umbrella, or other shelter. Not only will these safety precautions help protect you from getting sun burnt, but also reduce your risk of skin damage and skin cancer.
Several members of my family are redheaded and fair-skinned. My great-grandmother, grandfather, and father have had melanomas removed. Enjoy your summer and time outdoors, but always remember to wear your sunscreen!
Story and Photos by Molly Clegg, HS Intern
CBJ Will Soon Relocate to 321 Gilmer Street
CBJ, a screen print and embroidery business with locations in Windsor Plaza Shopping Center and on Hillcrest Drive, will relocate to 321 Gilmer Street into a building that formerly housed “Brickhouse Yoga”. The business will no longer be split between two different locations enabling the small businesses to better serve customers in Sulphur Springs and surrounding towns.
The business was opened by CBJ owner Ronnie Nix’s wife, Joyce Nix, over 14 years ago. The business was first located on Gilmer Street. Two years after opening, they moved the business to Windsor Plaza where it has been ever since.
“We’ve been here in this shopping center for about 14 years,” CBJ owner Ronnie Nix said. “We do business for Alliance Bank, City National Bank, Legacy Ag Credit, Texas Heritage, J. B. Weld, and several other companies here in town. We also ship a lot of our stuff out of town. We do a lot of out-of-town business, big businesses, and other things like that.”
CBJ has also performed work for school groups but never for athletic teams. Construction on the new site is expected to be completed within a month to a month and a half. There will not be any expansion beyond the Gilmer Street location. Nix looks forward to having the entire business under one roof.
“We want people to know that our customer service is really great,” Nix said. “We try to get the product out in a timely manner. Our turnaround time is good.
*Updated* Mapps Arrested in Arkansas
The elusive Tilton Joshua Isaiah Mapps of Greenville was arrested in Fort Smith Arkansas Monday, according to Police Chief Jay Sanders. Mapps was apprehended traveling with his girlfriend. Texas Ranger John Vance, U.S. Marshalls, and SSPD CID Sgt. David Gilmore assisted by the Ft. Smith Police made the arrest.
The 20-year old black male had been considered armed and dangerous. Mapps was wanted in the shooting death of Jonathan Trahern Young, 26, of Sulphur Springs. The shooting took place June 8, at 2 a.m. Sulphur Springs Police Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call regarding a shooting in Pacific Park. Young was taken by EMS to Hopkins County Memorial Hospital where he died of multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses at the scene identified Mapps as the shooter according to SSPD.
Mapps had connections not only in Greenville but in other areas of Hunt County as well as in Dallas County. Texas Ranger John Vance, the U. S. Marshall’s office, and the Criminal Investigation Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety have been assisting in the search for Mapps. The timing of Mapps return to Sulphur Springs depends on his waiving extradition.
Previously, Gilmore had said, “We really need to get this subject in custody.” He said Mapps family members and associates of Mapps are not law abiding citizens and were assisting Mapps in eluding law officers.
Same Sex Marriage License Will Be Issued This Week
Hopkins County will be issuing same-sex marriage licenses beginning Monday. County Clerk Debbie Shirley is only awaiting the loading of software by the application vendor. Some wording changes have been made to the application. Shirley said she could not know how much time the programmer will need. She said the decision to issue the licenses is based upon an Attorney General written opinion that the county clerks shall issue the license.
Shirley stated she has received several requests on Friday and one request Monday. Those requesting license Friday had stated they would go to Dallas to apply for a license based on the wait for new applications. Shirley said that she and her staff would follow the mandates of the State of Texas.
Godzilla! Makes His Debut Friday Night at Celebration Plaza!
‘Godzilla’ will start at dark on the Square. Bring your family, blankets, chairs, picnic basket, and settle in for a wonderful movie experience!
This weeks movie selection is a something kids will enjoy. Adding to the excitement, local vendor, ‘Little Caesars‘ will have their Hot ‘n Ready pizza for sale during the movie. The fountain will be open and ready for kids to get refreshed. Family’s can come congregate and have a great time. Enjoy Godzilla Friday night at Celebration Plaza!
To see upcoming Movies on the Square, click here.
Carpenter Wins Again at County Tomato Fest
Bobbie Carpenter of Como took home two first places in the most contested categories at the third annual Hopkins County Tomato Festival Saturday. Ms. Carpenter had the best large red tomatoes and the best salsa. The main tomato dish was also contested and Sarah and Amy Vaughn won first. Keith Klein had the top side dish.
