A Life Remembered – Antonio Isaac Perez
Family, friends, fellow students, team members, band members, SSISD administrators, high school teachers and staff, school board members, and many others, a majority wearing Sulphur Springs High School colors, filed past his portrait, his medals won, his letter of acceptance from the University of North Texas, and a Green Bay Packers jersey. On the stage, his varsity letter jacket, and variegated flowers stood in remembrance. The brief yet full life of 18-year old Isaac Antonio Perez was remembered and honored during memorial services in the Regional Civic Center Wednesday afternoon.
The Perez family wore athletic wear shirts in Wildcat colors with Perez and number 60 on the back of each. His Wildcat football teammates and Wildcat Band members were honorary pall bearers. Wildcat Offensive Center Landon Watkins, Lineman Jesse Ortiz, Alex Gamez, along with Gustavo Ramirez, Adrian Perez, Christian Perez, Angel Perez, and Anibal Perez were pall bearers. The Wildcat band would play his favorite song along with the school’s alma mater. Jeff Harris, Wildcat Team Chaplain and history teacher at SSHS, and Pastor Jose Pacheco conducted the service with their words translated into Spanish and English. Other speakers included Wildcat Head Coach Greg Owens, Offensive Line Coach Jeff Offutt, Christian Perez, Brenda Perez, and Anibal Perez.
On behalf of the Perez/Anaya family, Christian Perez thanked “the multitude of people who have helped us though this hard time or have had a positive effect on the life Isaac lived.” Perez wrote, “He loved his family, his football team, his marching band and his countless friends…Isaac was one of the hardest working students I have ever had the honor of knowing…Isaac was always diligent in his work, whether it was caring for his animals, studying his playbook and schoolwork or doing a fantastic job at Whataburger. He was a pillar of morality in his community. He was always smiling, always laughing and always ready to help any person in need.”
In His comments, Jeff Harris stated Perez modeled the very best that could be found in a student. Harris drew on the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount to note that Isaac was one who when asked to carry a burden one mile, he carried it two. Noting that Perez was a member of the National Honor Society while keeping a busy schedule of football, band, and work, Harris said that Perez was exceptional and had filled the dash between the date of his birth and the date of his death by living his life to the fullest and with excellence. Harris drew from the wisdom of Solomon that one should fill their life with the useful activities before them.
Apparent from the emotion of the memorial, Isaac Perez will not be forgotten by those who were shoulder to shoulder with him in the classroom, in the offensive line, in the marching band line, in the workplace, and, most of all, in the home.
Lawmakers Lend an Ear to Concerns Over Payday Loans
by Eva Hershaw, The Texas Tribune – April 29, 2015
Lawmakers from both chambers gathered Wednesday to lend support to a range of bills that would limit the loan size and number of installments offered by payday and auto title lenders.
“We have lost some ground, and that is why it is important to do this press conference today – we have a very unified front,” said Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, standing alongside Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, and state Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland. They have all filed bills aimed at regulating the payday and auto title loan industry. “We have to put this back on the front burner,” Ellis added.
The press conference came on the heels of two hearings where Senate and House committees considered bills aimed at regulating loans offered by payday and auto title lenders, collectively known as credit access businesses. While advocates of the bills have derided companies for what they consider to be predatory behavior, opponents have expressed hesitation to increase state involvement that would restrict business operations in the state.
“It is a sad day in Texas when the no. 1 state in income and job creation is charging the highest rates on payday loans,” Craddick said. “From 2013 to 2014, Texans have paid $2.9 billion in fees for these very high-cost loans.”
Earlier Wednesday, the House Committee on Investments and Financial Services considered House Bill 3047, authored by Craddick, which would create a statewide law similar to city ordinances already in place across the state. The proposed legislation would limit loans to 20 percent of the borrower’s annual income, allow for only four installments without refinancing and require a 25 percent principal payment to be made with each installment. It would also create a database, overseen by the Consumer Credit Commissioner, which would collect lender and borrower data.
Such businesses “pass cash along to the consumer with an often exorbitant fee,” said J. Ross Lacy, a city councilman in Midland, testifying before the committee. “This traps consumers into a debt cycle they can never recover from.”
Midland, in the heart of Craddick’s district, is one of 22 Texas cities that have passed ordinances limiting loans offered by payday and auto title lenders. After the ordinance went into effect, Lacy said that five of the 18 credit access businesses went out of business.
“Under the current system, [these companies] seem to benefit more from a customer’s financial failure than from a consumer’s financial success,” said Joe Sanchez, AARP Texas’ associate state director for advocacy, adding that one in five borrowers in the state are over the age of 50.
Rob Norcross, spokesman for the Consumer Service Alliance of Texas, spoke in opposition to the bill. “The way the city ordinances are structured, it would be good for some kinds of single-payment payday loans,” he said. “But the requirement that they split the loan into no more than four pieces, that is still going to be too much to pay back for some people.”
While Norcross was the only person who testified against the bill in the morning session, several committee members expressed concerns with the legislation. State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione called the establishment of a database to be used by private and state entities “intrusive,” while implying that Lacy and the city of Midland were trying to impose their own model on the rest of the state.
Rep. Phil Stephenson questioned whether or not the state should play the role of protecting people from themselves.
“We have watched these products increase the time of service with the clients that we serve,” said Katherine von Haefen, senior program manager at the United Way of Greater Houston. “Inevitably, these families will have a financial emergency and payday lenders pounce on the opportunity to trap these families.”
“You think they force families into borrowing money from them?” asked state Rep. Dan Flynn. “You don’t really think anyone is pouncing on anyone.”
Capriglione added that he lives near an intersection with a number of Starbucks, but that they were not responsible for his behavior. “If I buy a $5 latte, that’s on me,” he said.
But for Janice Rivera, from Belton, the terms of the auto title loan she and her family took out were never made clear. “I am one of the people who fell into the trap,” she said, speaking before the committee. “They said I misunderstood the 20 pages of paper they gave me and as of March of this year, we had paid $2,100 in fees and had still not paid off our original $1,500 loan.”
On Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce considered Senate Bill 121, by West, which would establish income-based loan limits and limitations on refinancing. They also considered Senate Bill 92, by Ellis, which is a companion bill to the legislation filed by Craddick.
All bills are currently pending in committee.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/29/lawmakers-lend-ear-concerns-about-payday-loans/.
Gospel Explosion Saturday
Greater Emmanuel Baptist Church is having a Gospel Explosion Saturday evening at 6 p.m. at The Cypress Center at 901 Como Street in Sulphur Springs. Funds Raised will go toward the church’s building fund. Associate Minister for the Church Demetra Robinson discussed the event on KSST’s Good Morning Show with Enola Gay Wednesday morning. A Gospel Explosion is an explosion of gospel talent including praise and worship teams, soloists, praise dancers, and a band. Robinson calls the event a great night of worship and of giving.
Currently, the Greater Emmanuel congregation worships in the Cypress Center. The church has purchased land on Whitworth Street and will build on that site. The Gospel Explosion is a fund raiser for the building.
Pet Adoption Day Saturday
Hearts of Life Animal Rescue will be at the Atwood’s Pet Adoption Day on Saturday 5/2 from 10:00 to 4:00. Come out and join us and take a look at our adorable rescued dogs that are looking for their forever homes. We’re bringing some very precious puppies of all ages and a selected bunch of loving, adorable grown dogs that are needing homes. It’s also Hot Dog Saturday at Atwood’s,
2 hot dogs and a drink for $1.00 so come on out! Thank you for supporting Sulphur Spring’s only no-kill shelter.
Hearts of Life Animal Rescue is also having a bake sale on Saturday 5/2 at Petsense. Donations received at the bake sale will go go toward an on-going dog barn renovation. The renovation, using volunteer labor, is to get all rescued dogs under roof.
Bar Fight Leads to Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon
David Wayne Thomas
A 44-year old Burleson man was arrested in a Sulphur Springs lounge Tuesday night after a disturbance. The man is accused of hitting the bartender and owner in the face with a pool cue. Police officers responded to a report of a fight in progress at the lounge located in the 300 block of East Industrial Drive shortly after 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Three men were said to be involved. A second person, a 32-year old Burleson man, was arrested for public intoxication in the lounge parking lot. A third man fled the scene before officers arrived. David Wayne Thomas was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and with public intoxication before Justice of the Peace B.J. Teer who set bond at $20,000.
Landers Third; Wildcats Seventh At State Golf Tourney
The Wildcats’ golf team couldn’t match their incredible first round score and ended up seventh in the state with rounds of 309 and 329 for 638 total. Garrett Landers who led the tournament with an opening 68 shot 79 Tuesday and finished third at 147
SSHS Academic UIL Second in Regional Meet
The Wildcats UIL Academic Team took second place at Regional this past weekend and qualified three teams and an individual for State. Spelling and Vocabulary, Social Studies and Literary Criticism took first place as did Lydia Burleson in Ready Writing.
McKenzie Hohenberger, Laura Graham, Patricia Parks, and MiKayla Jones won first place as the Literary Criticism team. Hohenberger won first place, Graham placed fourth, Parks placed sixth, and Jones placed seventh.
In Social Studies, Andrew Allen placed second and Ariel Gonzalez placed fifth. They won first place team.
The Spelling & Vocabulary team won first place with Carson McIllwain placing second, Jenna Ash placing third, and Lydia Burleson placing seventh.
Sophomore Lydia Burleson will advance as the sole individual in the Ready Writing competition after placing first at both the District and Regional meet.
You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
With a collective gasp that spread across Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County and the nation, we all certainly are disappointed that Hannah’s journey on “The Voice” has come to an end. But, I think ALL Hannah fans know that her journey in performing, singing, and entertaining has just begun. I wish she had the chance to sing just one more song on the show because it could have been the 70’s classic, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”. It is clear to me that Hannah Kirby is one of those talents that just needed to be “discovered”. Her journey on “The Voice” is only the beginning, not the end.
Although once the “voting” is taken out of the coaches’ hands and given to America, some say it just becomes a popularity contest and not a talent contest. This may be true, but if it was based on “popularity” on the percentage of Hopkins County support, she would have been at a full 100%. Yes, even her coach, Blake Shelton, tweeted #VoiceSaveHannah. I am sure Hannah must be overwhelmed with her Sulphur Springs support but she has got to be thrilled to capture the attention of so many across the nation. From her brave song choices, to her perfect performances, and even her signature “moves”, Hannah will not fade away. Hopkins County and all of her fans will continue to support and follow her, no matter which direction she chooses now.
Sing it with me…..”You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”
Medical Marijuana Bill Considered by Texas Lawmakers
by Eva Hershaw, The Texas Tribune – April 28, 2015
A bill that that would allow epilepsy patients in Texas to use medicinal oils containing a therapeutic component found in marijuana was considered by state lawmakers in an emotional hearing on Tuesday.
House Bill 892 would legalize oils containing CBD, a non-euphoric component of marijuana known to treat epilepsy and other chronic medical conditions. By 2018, the measure would allow the state to regulate and distribute the oils to epilepsy patients whose symptoms have not responded to federally approved medication. The measure was left pending by the House Committee on Public Health.
At the hearing, supporters of the proposal, also known as the Compassionate Use Act, recounted the seizures endured by children who they say could benefit from derivatives of medical marijuana. But opponents of the bill, including representatives of law enforcement agencies, expressed concerns that increased access to any component of marijuana would jeopardize public safety.
“This is a focused bill designed to give people with intractable epilepsy another option when others have failed,” the bill’s author, state Rep. Stephanie Klick, R-Fort Worth, told the committee. “[CBD oils] have no street value, and these families have no other options.”
The representative’s interest in medical marijuana came after she met constituents in her district who have children suffering from Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that begins in infancy.
“If CBD weren’t available in the number of states it is available in, we wouldn’t be having this conversation today,” said M. Scott Perry, a pediatric neurologist with Cook Children’s in Fort Worth, testifying in favor of the bill. “The human data on CBD use is very encouraging. What is frustrating is that I can’t prescribe CBD to patients in my state, in Texas.”
Texas is one of 16 states where marijuana is illegal for medical and recreational use. In recent years, 13 states have legalized CBD oil for certain medical conditions. Twenty-three other states and the District of Columbia have laws allowing broader medical marijuana use.
“If you don’t like the way [medical marijuana] is regulated in Colorado, don’t regulate it that way,” said Paige Figi, a Colorado resident who came to Texas to testify in favor of the legislation.
Her 8-year-old daughter, Charlotte – who now has a strain of medical cannabis, Charlotte’s Web, named after her – suffered more than 1,000 seizures a month before starting on CBD oil three years ago, she said. Now, Charlotte has one or two seizures a month, she said. “If my daughter Charlotte lived here in Texas, she would not be alive today.”
Figi spoke alongside Fahad Afeef, a former Texas resident who relocated to Colorado to seek treatment for his son, who suffers from intractable epilepsy.
“He was born a normal child, but he is 100 percent dependent on us now,” said Afeef, whose son suffered severe seizures for more than four years before they left Texas. “If he had had this option earlier, he may not have lost so much.”
“If we passed this law, would you come back to Texas?” asked state Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin. Several committee members were visibly moved by the testimony.
“Yes,” Afeed said. “You would not only be helping us, but you would be helping a lot of other families.”
Opponents of the bill expressed concerns over public safety and increased recreational use of marijuana as an unwanted consequence of increasing access to CBD oils. Others worried that the products would be hard to regulate.
“I am concerned about the other children in the household getting ahold of this medication when the parents aren’t around,” said Denton County Sheriff William Travis, speaking on behalf of the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas. “As a father, I would do anything for my child. But putting low amounts of marijuana oil in a child’s body where the brain is not fully developed is not the way.”
The Texas Medical Association has made clear that it does not support legalizing marijuana for medical use. “There is no validated science to support its use in broad treatment,” the association said in a statement earlier this year.
But some medical marijuana advocates are still reluctant to support the proposed Texas Compassionate Use Act, calling it appeasement legislation that would do little to help Texans with epilepsy — and nothing for those with other diseases, such as cancer, that can be treated with medical marijuana.
Last year, a University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll showed that 77 percent of Texans believed that marijuana should be legalized in at least some circumstances.
A number of other bills dealing with medical marijuana, including legislation from Naishtat that would provide an affirmative defense for patients who use marijuana based on the recommendation of their doctors, were slated to be heard by the committee on Tuesday afternoon.
This story was produced in partnership with Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan health policy research and communication organization not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.
Disclosure: The Texas Medical Association is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://www.texastribune.org/2015/04/28/medical-marijuana-bills-considered-lawmakers/.
