Ross’ Arresting Officers Remain on Duty
Thursday morning Sulphur Springs Chief of Police Jay Sanders responded to a question asked during Tuesday night’s city council meeting. His response came following a meeting with City Manager Marc Maxwell. “Why are the three arresting officers still on duty while an investigation of the death of Chance Ross is being conducted?” This was the question asked by his brother, Chad Ross Tuesday night April 7th during the regular session of the Sulphur Springs City Council. Public comment, proclamations, and announcements, item 12 on the Council agenda, was moved to the fourth item for their consideration. The council provided center stage to Chad Ross, brother of the late Chance Ross. Chance Ross died while in custody of Sulphur Springs’ city police and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies. He was incarcerated after having been tased repeatedly by officers during his arrest. Texas Ranger John Nance is currently investigating the cause of death, actions of the officers, and awaiting the result of an autopsy.
Chad Ross stated that the family had viewed video of his brother being brought into jail without a shirt and having burn marks on his shoulders that seemed to have been the result of his having been tased. Ross said his brother was handcuffed and escorted by three Sulphur Springs officers and that three county officers assisted those officers in stripping his brother of his pants and placing him in a cell.
City Manager Marc Maxwell and Mayor Freddie Taylor responded to Ross stating that the council could not respond while the investigation was being conducted. However, Maxwell assured the Ross family that he would meet with Chief of Police Jay Sanders Wednesday to discuss the matter of the arresting officers being on active duty at this time.
In his response given to KSST News, Chief Sanders stated that it is not an automatic response nor required, according to Sulphur Springs police policy, to place officers on administrative leave following an incident. He stated there were two things that he considered as he decided to not place on leave the three officers that arrested Chance Ross. Ross died during his incarceration in Hopkins County Jail. First, Sanders says that the internal investigation began shortly, within hours, after Ross’ death. Following the immediate investigation there was nothing that would lead the Chief to believe that the arresting officers did anything wrong. He stated that from information given him by Texas Ranger John Nance, who is also investigating the death, there is no evidence to contradict the earlier findings. Sanders said after viewing the video of available from the arrest and the incarceration, there is nothing shown to change his mind at this time. Sanders says he views the three officers as no danger to the community.
Sanders also said that he offered the officers time off and/or counseling during the decompression time that follows such an incident. None of the three chose to take time off.
Sanders says he hopes the autopsy will be completed, with the toxicology report, by the end of April. The JP that did the inquest was a Tyler JP and the body of Ross was sent to Tyler for the autopsy.
Click here for previous posts in this ongoing story.
Flakka – What You Need to Know
Flakka is an illegal street drug; the latest member of the ‘Bath Salts’ family. And it’s spreading just as fast as it’s older brothers.
Flakka is spreading north from origins in Florida and Texas. Flakka is a close cousin to compounds already declared illegal. Drug dealers are forced to be increasingly resourceful. ‘Remix drugs’, like Flakka, are the latest illegal drug ‘workarounds’.
Experts are concerned about Flakka’s effects. Reports show vast differences in quality, purity, and potency of this imported drug. The effect on the neurotransmitter Dopamine is the main cause of the bizarre effects on humans. In basic terms, Flakka prevents Dopamine from being removed from the nerve junctions, allowing affected nerve to continue to fire. This state of has been described as “excited delirium.”
There is little research on the actual affects of this chemical on the brain. Users are considered ‘Guinea Pigs’ as they are apparently willing participate in real-time drug research. Reported methods of use include e-cigarette ‘vapeing’.
On January 28, 2014, the US DEA listed Flakka as Schedule 1.
More information on Alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone
Payne to Attend Washington Journalism and Media Conference
An invitation to George Mason University’s Washington Journalism and Media Conference almost went unnoticed by KSST News Intern Steven Payne. Payne will join 204 other invited nominated students from across the nation July 12-17 for the six day conference that will include access to the National Press Club, Newseum and other selected sites around the capital while interacting with nationally known journalists.
Payne does not know who nominated him for the opportunity but does know that his mother, Anne Payne, was the one who took a closer look and encouraged him to investigate the legitimacy of the invitation. When he discovered the event to be prestigious in nature, he immediately applied and was accepted. Although he has yet to discover who nominated him, he is aware that nominations come from teachers, family members, or employers. Acceptance is based on high-achievement and interest in pursuing a career in journalism and media.
While at the conference, Payne will attend private networking events and functions including a private press briefing with a Deputy White House Press Secretary, hear panel discussions that include prominent political journalists and CEO’s of the nation’s largest media companies at the National Press Club, and attend a private talk with TODAY SHOW host Hoda Kotb. Among others he will meet are Candy Crowley of CNN, Brian Lamb, founder of C-Span, Washington Post Photo-journalist Carol Guzy, and members of the New York Times staff. He is also trying to secure a private meeting with Representative John Ratcliffe.
Payne hopes to use the experience “to improve my chances of being noticed by college universities and any notable entities in journalism and media profession. Having the WJMC, as well as my internship with KSST Radio/TV and ksstradio.com, on my resume would be very helpful for me in my pursuit of a successful career in journalism. Payne states there are “outstanding circumstances” that would prohibit him from attending George Mason University but “This won’t stop me…from pursuing my goal as a national journalist. I would love the opportunity to travel America, and even the globe, in pursuit of breaking news and interesting stories. While it has been both an educative and enjoyable experience working in journalism on a local level, I hope to someday soon expand beyond the borders of Texas to cover the latest developments all over America.
“The newspaper is in its autumn years with the rise of the Technology Era,” Payne observed. He continued, “Soon everything will be online and in the palm of our hands. Journalism has successfully managed to adapt and evolve with this change. As a member of the most technologically grounded generation alive today, I know that I will fit right in and go with the flow of journalism’s constant change. Ultimately, I would like to someday become a writer for the New Yorker. Perhaps if I’m lucky, I could someday become an author like I’ve always dreamed of becoming. This has been my goal for quite some time. I know that it won’t be easy, and it certainly won’t be accomplished sooner rather than later, but I am committed to making that dream become a reality.”
Receiving one college credit from George Mason University is not the only reason for attending for Payne. He said this is just the beginning.
WRECK IN WELLINGTON, TEXAS APRIL 9, 2015 by Eddie Trapp
WRECK IN WELLINGTON, TEXAS APRIL 9, 2015
Continued from last week. The Bonnie and Clyde gang was hiding out in Joplin, Missouri when a
neighbor called the police about all night, loud parties. The unfortunate officers had no idea who
they were dealing with. Although taken by surprise, Clyde, Jones, and Buck quickly killed a detective
and wounded a constable. Bonnie used her Browning Automatic Rifle to keep a highway patrolman
pinned down behind a big oak. Buck’s wife was chasing her dog, Snowball, down the street and the
gang stopped the getaway car long enough to pick her up. Jones was wounded in the side and another
bullet was deflected by Clyde’s coat button. Many items were left inside the hideout, things like Buck’s
marriage license and his parole papers, a large arsenal of weapons, poems by Bonnie, and rolls of
undeveloped film.
The film was developed and found its way to the newspapers. One showed Bonnie with a cigar in her
mouth and a pistol in her hand. On their way up north they kidnapped Dillard Darby and Sophia Stone in
Ruston, Louisiana after stealing Dillard’s car. Several hours later the pair was released on the side of the
road with enough money to get back home. Bonnie told them to tell the newspapers that she did not
smoke cigars and she was just clowning around in the picture. In May they had about a year to live. They
robbed a bank in Okabena, Minnesota and tried to rob another in Lucerne, Indiana. By now they were
so well known they could not eat in restaurants or stay in motels. Camping and cold baths in creeks for
them was normal. Originally B&C were considered “good” outlaws like Robin Hood but as the killings
increased, public attitude began to change. On June 10, 1933 near Wellington, Texas, Clyde missed a
turn at a construction site and flipped the car. Bonnie’s leg was severely burned, either by the fire that
broke out or by acid from the batteries under the front floor board. Her burns were third degree and so
severe her muscles contracted, causing her leg to “draw up.” Near the end of her life she could barely
walk and either hopped or was carried by Clyde.
While trying to let Bonnie’s leg heal they stayed in a motel in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Buck and
Jones got bored and drifted over to Alma, Arkansas and tried to rob a store. Town Marshall Henry D.
Humphrey was killed in the attempt and the gang had to leave the area. On July 18, 1933 Bonnie and
Clyde had less than a year to live. Along with Jones and Buck they were staying in a motel in Platte City,
Missouri. Buck and Clyde went to a pharmacy and bought medicine for Bonnie’s leg. All the druggists
for miles had been alerted for anyone making that kind of purchase. At 11:00 that night the sheriff led
a group of officers to capture the gang but the BAR outgunned the posse as before. The escape wasn’t
quite perfect though as Buck was hit on his forehead, blowing out a chunk of his skull. His brain plainly
showed. Blanche also suffered from broken glass in both eyes.
Five days later the gang was camped near Dexter, Iowa and Buck was so bad that Clyde dug a grave
for him. People passing by saw all the bloody bandages and called the sheriff. Lawmen and over a
hundred spectators surrounded the camp. Clyde, Bonnie, and Jones escaped on foot. Blanche and Buck
were captured. Buck was shot in the back and died five days later. The three outlaws kept on the move
for a few weeks then decided to go to Texas to visit their kinfolks. Jones went on to Houston to see
his mother and was promptly arrested. B&C had only five months to live when they broke into Clyde’s
hated Eastham prison, releasing old gang members Raymond Hamilton and Henry Methvin. This was
such an embarrassment to lawmen they set up a special team to search for, and kill, any of the gang
they could find. Leader of the group was retired Texas Ranger, Captain Frank A. Hamer. For twenty years
he had been the image of the “One Riot, One Ranger” motto. In his career he was credited with killing
53 outlaws and receiving 17 wounds. Hamer got on the trail February 10 and it was the beginning of the
end for Bonnie and Clyde. Next week. The end of the road.
Coincidence section. While talking to Clinton Harrington last week I was getting some information
from him and needed to write it down. I always keep a little spiral notebook in my shirt pocket for times
like that. I started feeling in all my pockets and felt like Detective Columbo back years ago. He always
wore a suit then a big, long coat on top of that. No telling how many pockets he would go through
before he found what he was looking for. I mentioned Columbo to Clinton and he had never heard of
him. Clinton left and I went to my recliner to flip channels a while. Within two minutes I came across an
old episode of Columbo. I checked the guide button and it showed another episode of Columbo coming
up next. I hadn’t seen any of them in a year I bet.
A man noticed a cat drinking milk from a bowl in front of a small grocery store. He noticed the bowl
was a valuable antique. Went into the store and offered ten dollars for the cat. An ugly cat with one ear
chewed off. The grocer wouldn’t take ten dollars so in desperation the man offered a hundred which the
grocer took. As the buyer walked outside he hollered at the grocer, “I’m just gonna take the bowl too.”
The grocer hollered back, “No, that’s my lucky bowl. I’ve sold twenty seven cats this month.”
Say It Isn’t So
The signature product of the Blue Bell Ice Cream Company, Homemade Vanilla, has been added to the recall list. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has added several new products to their recall list including Gold Rim Homemade Vanilla in 1/2 Gallon containers. As retailers everywhere continue to pull Blue Bell products out of their freezers, the public continues to dig in their freezers trying to decipher the date codes on their products. Since the shelf life of some Blue Bell products can be up to two years, everyone should be checking their freezer. Most folks, are taking the CDC’s advice, “when in doubt, throw it out” and not even checking the date code. Myself, I found a pint of Dutch Chocolate in our freezer, and even though it had a layer of protective ice inside, it went straight to the trash. Granted, the only products recalled thus far include some items manufactured at Blue Bell’s Oklahoma facility, but why chance it?
The recall began when certain products caused a suspected outbreak of Listeriosis. The list continues to grow and now includes pints, quarts, and half gallons, in specific flavors, that were not on the list just a few days ago. Even the Texas Rangers have announced that Blue Bell ice cream will not be offered at their upcoming home opener game. For a company that built it’s reputation on quality and boasts that “we eat what we can, and sell the rest”, time will tell how long it will take before the general public will flock back to their product. Until then, we will continue to monitor the CDC’s list of products and keep you updated. If you need a list of sizes and flavors recalled then Click Here for the CDC’s list.
Hannah Kirby Continues to Advance
In tonight’s dramatic “Results” episode, Hannah Kirby was not saved by our (and the rest of America’s votes) but was saved by her coach, Blake Shelton. In a nerve-racking and very tense moment Hannah stood with Sarah Potenza and Brooke Adee, not knowing her future on “The Voice”. It certainly was reminiscent of Hannah’s Battle Round with Sarah Potenza, when Hannah lost, but was stolen by Pharrell Williams. But, proving that Hannah continues to grow and advance her talent, Blake Shelton chose to SAVE Hannah over Sarah and Brooke. Over on Pharrell’s team, Caitlyn Caporale, who beat Hannah in her Knockout Round, was not chosen to advance. Hannah Kirby has certainly shown growth and maturity in a few short weeks, by besting two competitors that had beaten her in the past. Now, it comes down to US and the voting system. I was shocked when Hannah wasn’t saved by America’s votes, I know I did my part!! So, we should continue to spread the word to get our friends and family to vote next week, since this is the ONLY way she can now advance!!!
Representative Flynn Supports Sales Tax and Franchise Tax Cuts for Texans
AUSTIN- On Wednesday, Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) unveiled a sweeping tax relief plan that will provide nearly $5-billion in permanent tax relief for every individual and business in Texas. District 2 (which includes Hopkins County) Representative Dan Flynn is a co-author of the bill.
“This is the biggest, broadest and boldest tax relief plan of the legislative session,” said Bonnen. “It provides lasting tax relief to every family and business, and it is fiscally responsible because it abides by the spending cap.”
The tax relief plan would be permanent and would not be eroded by local tax hikes or rising appraisals. House Bill 31 offers the first state sales tax cut in Texas history, reducing the rate from 6.25% to 5.95%. The average family of four will save $172 dollars per year and employers which currently pay 40% of all sales taxes collected in Texas will realize a significant savings as well.
“As one of the Co-Authors of Chairman Bonnen’s bill, I am very supportive of Chairman Bonnen’s efforts to meet the desires to begin limiting government’s role and offering tax deductions to the people of Texas and House District 2,” said Dan Flynn
House Bill 32 cuts the franchise tax rate by 25% across-the-board for all businesses. Retailers and wholesalers will pay 0.375%, and all other businesses will pay 0.75%. The bill retains current exemptions that allow 900,000 small businesses to pay no franchise tax. Bonnen noted that while the state controls both the franchise and sales tax, it does not control property taxes.
NETCS Spring Concert Coming Soon
The North East Texas Choral Society will be performing their 17th annual Spring concert on May 2nd and 3rd. The concert theme this year will be jukebox oldies, featuring hit songs from the 50’s through to the 70’s. The concert will have over 100 performers dressed up in costumes from the respective time periods of the concert’s theme. For this Spring Concert, the NETCS is hoping to sell out for the two nights as part of a “#soldout” project.
The NETCS was first founded back in 1999. Many current members of the NETCS have been members since the beginning.
“Our first concert was a concert for President George Bush at the time,” Peggy Simmons, singer and NETCS Board of Directors member, said. “Whatever year it was that SSHS won the state championship in football, we had a concert called ‘Mixed bag’, and it was just psychedelic music. We sang one of the songs then that we will be singing at this concert, it’s by Queen called ‘We are the Champions’, and we did that in honor of the SS Wildcat’s championship that year.”
The NETCS has two concerts a year: one in the first week of May, and another in the first week of December. Their December concerts are usually more successful due to the Christmas and Gospel themed music featured in those concerts.
Tickets for the Spring concert are $10.00 in advance and $12.00 at the door with $5.00 tickets for children 12 and under. A special family ticket is available for $25.00 which includes 2 adults and any number of children. Tickets can be purchased from any Choral Society member, Alliance Bank, and City National Bank. Tickets can also be purchased at www.netchoral.org.
Locust Trees by Mario Villarino
This week I visited the property of a recent producer of Hopkins County. The land, in desperate need of care was invaded with locust trees. The trees in the area were of different sizes, proof that those trees where there for several decades. Honey locust (Gleditisia triacanthosL.) is a native tree species also known as honey-shucks locust, sweet-locust, three-thorned acacia, sweet-bean or thorny locust. It has a natural range that extends from central Pennsylvania to South Dakota to southeastern Texas to Alabama. This range was probably expanded by Native Americans, who used the wood, pods and seeds for several purposes, and later by wildlife and ornamental plantings. It is best adapted to moist, bottomland soils, but can survive on a wide variety of sites.
Honey locust is often one of the first trees to occupy an area that was once woods, was cleared and is reverting back to woods. It is a moderately fast growing tree that has proven to be hardy and tolerant of drought conditions and saline soils. Locust trees have been here for centuries. For some, locust trees were a way of survival during drought. The locust tree also provided support for natives and their cattle during those years when nothing was there.
For the current landowner, the locust trees were a weed, affecting access to his property, risking his equipment and vehicle because the size of its thorns. According to the literature, locust trees can be controlled by prescribed burning, treated with chemicals or mechanically removed. Either way, the effective control method to remove the young locust trees will require a systematic approach used constantly and gradually. Because the landowner of the property was not living in the place, an effective control method cannot be implemented. After several minutes of discussion, the landowner came to the conclusion that the land needed someone taking constant care of it, for the his benefit and the benefit of the land.
Remember the upcoming Spring field day in cooperation with NRCS-Hopkins. During this field day, we will be talking about this specific topic with Andy Wright, and he will have a real time demonstration on the mechanical removal of locust trees. The Spring Field Day will be April 27th starting at 8:30 AM at the Hopkins County Extension Office and we will be visiting NRCS cooperator Tracy Knight and his hay operation in Brashear. I will be offering 2 CEU for private applicators. Several specialist, producers and support personnel will be available to answer your questions. Transportation will be required. The Spring Field Day is free.
