Felon Arrested After Firearms Found During Traffic Stop
A 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested after firearms were found in his pickup during a traffic stop in Cumby Thursday night by Cumby Police Lt. Paul Robertson and Officer C. Hall.
After contacting the man, police reported smelling a marijuana odor and seeing a firearm in plain view in the. Thus, a probable cause search of the pickup was conducted. Robertson reported finding 2 firearms in the truck. Because Derek Dewayne Dirks was convicted on a controlled substance charge and sentenced in 2011 to 6 months in a state jail for the manufacture or delivery charge, according to jail and arrest reports.
Robertson and Hall took Dirks into custody at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26, 2021; the truck was impounded. Dirks was arrested for unlawful possession of firearm by a felon. He was also found to have three outstanding Sulphur Springs traffic warrants. He remained in the County jail Friday. Aug. 27, 2021. Bond on the firearm charge was set at $10,000m according to jail reports.
Woman Jailed After Admitting She Had Contraband In Her Purse
August 27, 2021 – A 32-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was jailed late Thursday morning after admitting to having contraband in her purse.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite and Sgt. Todd Evans reported contacting Shaina Cheyanne Fields at 10:51 a.m. Aug. 26, 2021, as the passenger in a 1998 Honda they had stopped on Helm Lane at East Shannon Road after the driver committed multiple traffic offenses. The driver agreed to let deputies search the vehicle.
Fields took her purse with her as she started to exit the vehicle. Officers instructed her to leave it in the vehicle. She then admitted the bag had multiple items of contraband in it, including marijuana, hypodermic syringes, a glass meth pipe and methamphetamine. Deputies proceeded to search the vehicle and learned she had indeed been honest about having contraband. Both the driver and passenger were detained. However, since Fields was the one in possession of the meth and drug paraphernalia, the driver was not charged.
For her honesty about the contraband in her purse, Fields received a trip in a patrol vehicle to the county jail, where she was booked for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The suspected meth weighed 0.15 grams and field-tested positive as a controlled substance.
The 32-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was released from Hopkins County jail Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, on a $5,000 bond on the controlled substance charge.
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont St., Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 438-4040.
Hopkins County Records – Aug. 27, 2021
Land Deed Transactions
- Kelli Leigh Geraci and Troy Geraci to Anastasia Perry and Matthew Perry; tract in the John Polk survey
- Ricky Dale Stephens and Ann-Marie Treser-Stephens to Jeffery Sandlin; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Robert Newsom, Hopkins County Judge, to Kimberly G. Ferrell; tract in the U. Aiguier survey
- 1215 Holdings LLC to Timote Espinoza Santander; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Michael E. Elliott and Pamela S. Elliott to Elizabeth Rivera and Bertha Velasco; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Dorothy Sue Withrow to Kathy Conine-Withrow and Michael P. Withrow; tract in the U. Aiguier survey
- Dawn Dugnollie to Garrett Dugnollie; tract in the James D. Houghton survey
- Gregorio Duran and Olga Duran to Anthony Carrell and Mildred Irene Carrell; tract in the Elizabeth Melton survey
- Vernon A. Hargrave to Hargrave Family Trust, Vernon A. Hargrave trustee; tract in the John Norris survey
- Jackie Ray Watkins who is also known as J R Watkins, to Lisa Michelle Cockrum and Talon Ray Cockrum; tract in the Winney Jewell survey
- Gary Lane Odom and Patricia Chapman Odom to Triad Learning Systems INC.; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Gonsalo Mejia who is also known as Gonzalo Mejia and Lili Mejia who is also known as Lilly Mejia to Kaitlyn B. Chapman; tract in the Elizabeth Melton survey
- Lenora L. Byers to Tanya English; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Jenny Cockrum and Terry Cockrum to Charlie Edwards and Jaimie Edwards; tract in the S. McCulloch survey
- Aimee Neighbors to Alex Neal Irwin and Aimee Neighbors; tract in the Thomas Yates survey
- Jennifer Delz to Alexis Greer; tract in the JT Redding survey
- Phon Hang to Growth One Business LLC; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Cheron Berastequi, independent executor for the Elizabeth V. Sholly Estate, to Cheron L. Berastequi, Susan L. Foster, John W. Moore, David G. Sholly and Mark A. Sholly
- John Heilman to Kevin Escobedo; tract in the Thomas Stewart survey
- Peggy Shelton to Nichole Rosamond; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Austin Dyer and Michael Dyer to Claudia Patricia Virgen Magana and Lizabeth Rodriguez; tract in the John Norris survey
- Timothy Dall Loper to Courtney Dejarneatt; tract in the William Gregg survey
- Delayne Dillard and Kim Dillard to Courtney Ditto and Sean Ditto; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Dean P. Draper and Rachel E. Draper to Joshua F. Williams and Valda A. Williams; tract in the Elizabeth Mitchell survey
- Joshua F. Williams and Valda A. Williams to Christopher Holder and Wendy Jones Holder; tract in the William Lewis survey
Applications for Marriage Licenses
- Matthew Aron Miksch and Elizabeth Ann Wright
- Dakota Cole Killingsworth and Jemma Chiree Caudle
- Daniel Wayne George and Tonya Renee Singleton
- Gary Ray Payne and Karen Holt Thomas
- Medina Eduardo Lopez and Claudia Luna
- Branden Wayne Rogers and Marilyn Sue Patterson
- Martin Alexander Hill and Dana Michelle Gardener
US Flags Lowered In Honor of Victims of Attack in Kabul, Afghanistan
United States flags around Sulphur Springs and the community have been lowered in honor of the victims of the Aug. 26, 2021, attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation issued Thursday. Flags in public places in the city and community have been lowered by the Hopkins County Marine Corps League.
President Joe Biden ordered the US flag to be “flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, August 30, 2021.
“All United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations” too are ordered to lower the US flag to half-staff “as a mark of respect for the U.S. service members and other victims killed in the terrorist attack on Aug. 26, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan.”
The Islamic State Khorasan Province, a militant group known as ISIS-K, took credit for the airport bombing that killed at least 13 American service members standing guard at the airport gate Thursday; 18 others were wounded seriously during what is described as one of the deadliest attacks in 20 years of the war in Afghanistan.
The US service members killed included 11 Marines, 1 Army soldier and 1 Navy hospital corpsman/medic. Twelve of the US military personnel were reportedly killed in the bombing Thursday, and the 13th died Thursday evening from his injuries.
Two British nationals and the child of another Briton were reportedly killed when the bomb exploded.
The New York Times and ABC News at midday Aug. 27 reported health officials in Kabul estimated at least 170 Afghans were killed, and at least 200 others wounded. Afghan American were reported to be among the dead civilians.
The service members were part of an air evacuation effort, reported Friday to have successfully removed more than 104,000 American citizens, Afghan allies and others to safety since Aug. 14. Evacuation flights were reported to have resumed Friday. The White House Friday reported 12,500 people had been evacuated from Afghanistan in the previous 24 hours, despite the attack.
Four days remain until the Aug. 31 deadline set for US withdrawal from the country. Many in Afghanistan are reportedly still trying to reach the airport, which was reported to be mostly on lockdown with 5,400 people remained inside awaiting evacuation. Estimated to remain in Afghanistan are 1,000 Americans.
Paris Junior College Prepares for August 30th Fall Semester Start
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center
Public Information Services
PJC prepares for Aug. 30 fall semester start
Paris Junior College has seen a lot of activity as the campus prepares for the fall semester starting Monday, August 30.
To keep students as safe as possible from the COVID-19 pandemic, a free Vaccination Clinic will be held on that first day of class at the Paris campus. The clinic will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom and all students, faculty and staff who are not yet vaccinated are encouraged to get their first shot. As encouragement, those who show proof of full vaccination will receive $100 later this semester.
“While we are not requiring face masks,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin, “we are encouraging students, faculty and staff to look out for the safety of themselves and others.”
Normally all PJC faculty and staff gather for a Convocation to receive updates and training to be ready for the fall semester. Due to continued challenges from COVID-19, a series of four meetings were held last week.
New staff and faculty were introduced, and work anniversaries for PJC employees were recognized.
Receiving 10-year service pins were South Campus Residence Hall Supervisor Stacy Dangerfield; Campus Police Officer-Greenville Billy Miller, Continuing Education Clerk Allen Moore, English Instructor Chris Nichols, and Student Records and Recruiting Coordinator Norma Wright.
Fifteen-year service pins went to Speech Instructor Paul May, Student Success Coach/Financial Aid Advisor-Greenville Daniel Parham; Gerald Ringwald, Maintenance; Sociology Instructor Jon Rutherford; Vice President of Workforce Education John Spradling, and Student Success Coach Natasha Whitaker.
Those receiving 20-year service pins included Educational Opportunity Center Advisor Karen Ballard; Mathematics Instructors Chastity Woodson and John Fornof; and Director of Library Services Joe Jackson.
Twenty-five year service pins went to Psychology Instructor Linda Miles, History Instructor Matt White, and Off-Campus Centers Librarian Carl Covert.
Vice President of Student Access and Success Sheila Reece and Library Services Supervisor Shirley Bridges received their 30-year service pins from Dr. Anglin.
Late registration will continue through Wednesday, Sept. 1 to allow all students who wish to take classes this fall the opportunity. Financial aid is available, and extra pandemic aid will go to all eligible students mid-semester, regardless of their financial aid status.
For more information on getting started at PJC, call 903-782-0425.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Paris Junior College Service Awards
English Instructor Chris Nichols just made it to the Convocation meeting last week in time to receive his 10-year service pin from PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Saltillo Lions Cross Country Places Second at Avery Cross Country Meet
The Saltillo Lions and Lady Lions cross country teams had a nice day in Avery, TX in the Avery Invitational Cross Country Meet held Thursday, Aug. 26.
The Lions place second overall as a team at the Avery Cross County Meet.
Individual placing for the Saltillo Lions started off with two runners in the top three; Coy Collins and Gunner Tarver who finished at second and third, respectively.
Another Lion made the top-15 with Adrian Don Juan who came in at 14th.
Three Saltillo runners placed in the top-30; Drew Redburn, Colton McGill and Rowdy Speir.
Redburn cracked the top-25, crossing the finish line in 23rd place. McGill was not too far behind at 26th and Speir followed closely at 28th. Christian Trejo rounded out Lions runners at 40th.
Lady Lions individual placings included Yadhira Alonso, at 12th, with two more runners making the top-25: Raegan Speir and Brainna Tawil at 20th and 22nd, respectively.
Next up, the Saltillo Lions and Lady Lions varsity teams will be in Mineola for the Mineola Cross Country Meet next Friday, Sept. 3.
The junior high teams will be in Pittsburg the following day, Saturday, Sept. 4 when they participate in the Pittsburg Cross Country Meet.
Changes to Disabled Veteran License Plates Coming in 2022
Disabled Veteran Plates with the International Symbol of Access will be Available
(AUSTIN, Texas – August 26, 2021) A new state law will change the requirements for Texans with disabled veteran
license plates who wish to park in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.
Senate Bill 792 requires that as of Jan. 1, 2022, anyone parking in a disabled parking space must have a license plate or a disabled parking placard that features the International Symbol of Access (ISA). Currently, disabled veteran license plates do not feature the ISA, and all Texans with these plates are permitted to use disabled parking.
Texans with disabled veteran plates wanting to use disabled parking spaces beginning in 2022 may apply for a disabled parking placard or for a new disabled veteran license plate with the ISA if the veteran meets the eligibility requirements for an ISA after Jan. 1, 2022. Applicants may submit their paperwork at their local county tax assessor-collector’s office.
Current placards will remain valid; however, the new requirements must be met at time of renewal.
Eligibility for Disabled Parking Placards or License Plates with the International Symbol of Access
Placard and plate eligibility is based on a medical condition that meets the legal definition of a disability. “Disability”
means a condition in which a person has:
• Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses.
• Visual acuity of more than 20/200 but with a limited field of vision in which the widest diameter of the visual
field subtends an angle of 20 degrees or less.
• Mobility problems that substantially impair a person’s ability to move around; these problems can be caused by:
o Paralysis.
o Lung disease.
o Uses portable oxygen
o Cardiac deficiency.
o Wheelchair confinement.
o Arthritis, neurological, or orthopedic condition.
o Foot disorder.
o Other medical condition causing a person to use a brace, cane, crutch or other assistive device.
A parking placard or plate with the ISA is only valid when being used by the person with the disability or someone who is driving the person with the disability.
It is a violation of state law to use the placard or plates for a disabled parking spot without the person with the disability in the vehicle. People who misuse disabled parking placards are subject to fines of up to $1,250 and/or up to 50 hours of community service.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles registers and titles motor vehicles, licenses motor vehicle dealers, credentials
motor carriers, issues oversize/overweight permits, investigates complaints against dealers and motor carriers, and
awards grants to law enforcement agencies to reduce vehicle burglaries and thefts. Learn more at www.TxDMV.gov.
Tira News – Aug. 27, 2021: Navy Sailor Jason Beck Returns Home from Serving in Japan
By Jan Vaughn
Kim and Lee Beck & family met son, Jason Beck, at DFW at midnight recently, as he arrived from Japan. Jason is returning home after completing his Navy career. Thanks for your service!
The quarterly Tira City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 13, 2021, since the first Monday is the Labor Day holiday. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Tira Community Center.
Joyce Dodd and Tammy Joslin reported that the Tira Food Pantry is very well stocked. Joyce commented, “We won’t need food for a long time. Thanks to all who donate and those who help stock.”
Tira Mayor Allen Joslin and council members Joyce Dodd and Janie Lewis signed up for another term on the Tira City Council. They are unopposed.
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 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
2 Dike Residents Speak Against Others’ Efforts To Make Dike An Incorporated Area
Dike residents opposed to a solar facility being constructed in their rural country community have continued to take action over the last month. They are exploring different options to potentially block Hopkins Energy, LLC, from completing the project. While the Save Dike from Solar group have been the most vocal – a few community members regularly address Hopkins County Commissioners Court to express their discontent with the court’s actions and projects. A few Dike residents have also spoken in favor of property owners rights and against the Dike group’s latest efforts to make Dike an incorporated area.
Save Dike From Solar
When Dike residents’ appeals to Hopkins County Commissioners Court regarding concerns for potential environmental and health problems related to construction of a solar facility in Dike, Cynthia Martin hired attorneys and filed a suit against Hopkins County and Hopkins Energy LLC. When her petition for a temporary injunction and restraining order to halt the project for over a week was denied by 62nd Judicial District Judge Will Biard in July, Martin and the Save Dike from Solar group were not deterred.
Martin’s suit against the county and solar group is ongoing, with a request for a summary judgement hearing to be postponed granted on Aug. 26. The judge granted a 21-day continuance.
The Save Dike From Solar group also continues to fundraise, meet regularly and mail out letters to community members to keep them abreast of their discussions and plans. The latest letter reportedly asks community members to help raise $15,000 to officially begin the process to try to make Dike an incorporated area. This would allow the elected community leaders the ability to set standards for the community, including banning solar farms and facilities. A website is also in progress for the group’s efforts and to help other communities who might also try to block a solar farm from being built.
Opposition to Incorporation
While Save Dike from Solar supporters have been the most vocal, not all Dike residents are in favor of making Dike an incorporated area. A few property owners have, over the last 6 moths, spoken in favor of property owners’ rights for their own properties. Two spoke Thursday during the public comments portion of a special Commissioners Court meeting regarding their understanding and opinions regarding incorporation.
Pat Potts said he’d hoped that other Dike residents were present at Thursday’s Commissioners Court meeting to hear what they have to say in relation to the solar project. Potts said he would likely have more to say at a later time. He did, however, speak up for property owner’s rights.
“What I say is that, the people that’s putting the solar panels on their property, their land belongs to them. It don’t belong to me. I have nothing to say about it and nobody else should anything to say about it. If they want to put it on there, I think they should be able to and I think Bo feels the same way,” Pat Potts said of Bo Potts who accompanied him to the meeting, but declined to speak Thursday.
As for the Dike residents desire to make Dike an incorporated area, Pat Potts said “we’re not in favor of that either.”
Dike resident Wayne Ray said he moved to Dike to live not in the city, but in the country.
“I like Dike, Texas. I want it to stay the same as it is, and I don’t want no more government. I don’t want anymore new taxes. They are raising money, $15,000 to turn Dike into a city. I’ve got questions. Can we even do that without an election or anything? Is that even an ethical way to do that, collecting money to turn Dike into a city. I don’t think I’m alone in the fact that I don’t want Dike to be a city. I don’t want nobody telling me I can cut a tree or can’t cut a tree, or what my neighbors can do on their property. These are things I don’t want,” Ray said Thursday, in response to his understanding of mail and information he’s received regarding plans to make Dike an incorporated area.
Ray noted that in his experience, when this type of thing happens, the organizers start out promising now new taxes, but keep expanding and taking in more area.
“You cannot run a city on nothing. There’s a cost to run a city. There’s going to have to be a tax if they turn it into a city. Can we do anything about that?” Ray asked the Commissioners Court. “Can we do something? Are we just going to be forced to take a city because a few people, that’s what they want?”
County Judge Robert Newsom said Hopkins County Attorney would be consulted and “become involved in this.” They planned to contact County Attorney Dusty Rabe later Thursday afternoon to ask her to research the matter of incorporation, and would have to get back to him on that.
Newsom said he’s not been through an incorporation process before. He said a few years back Brashear organized a community meeting to consider becoming an incorporated area, but decided not to go forward with it. He said he is not sure of all of the steps in the process.
“It’s a concern they’re trying to raise $15,000 to make Dike a city. I believe we’re getting the cart before the horse. There’s something wrong about it to me. They are collecting money to make a city when it hasn’t even been decided whether we even want to be a city,” Ray said.
Precinct 4 Commissioner asked if the Save Dike From Solar group seeking the incorporation has drawn a proposed boundary line for the area to be incorporated. Ray said it’s his understanding that’s part of what the $15,000 would be used for.
“They are saying they need $15,000 to have a survey. I don’t know if they mean everybody that’s got a Dike Post Office Box,” Ray said.
Price said if his memory is correct, it cost more along the lines of $40,000-$50,000 for that process.
“They put it in print and sent it out, ‘We need $15,000 to make Dike a city.’ That was what it said,” Ray told the Court. “It didn’t say, ‘We need $15,000 to have an election to see if Dike wants to be a city.’ It said we need $15,000 to make Dike a city. Now they’ve got some type of fundraiser going on on the computer.
“I think it’s time for people to wake up. These people are trying to govern what we do in Dike. I do what I want to do in Dike and I want to continue to do what I want to do in Dike on my property, and my neighbors. I don’t think it’s right for me to be telling anyone or anybody to be telling my neighbors what he can do on his property,” Ray said.
The Dike resident said the Save Dike from Solar report having 200 names for the petition for incorporation. He said many signed documents “way back when and I think they just took names whether they agree to it or not.”
