Texas Workforce Commission Warns of Fake Social Media Sites, Imposter Emails
Austin – The Texas Workforce Commission is warning Texans about cleverly designed fake social media sites and imposter emails designed to look like they come from the agency, but which are really scams seeking to enable thieves to steal Texans’ identities. Texans seeking unemployment benefits are warned not to send any personally identifiable information or transact any business except through TWC’s unemployment insurance (UI) portal or Telecenters.
In addition, a recent scam using a spoof email address designed to mimic the TWC address, attempted to defraud some unemployment benefits recipients of funds by demanding direct deposit information in exchange for services. No authorized TWC representative will ever demand payment to expedite cases and TWC does not ever solicit information like social security numbers through email.
TWC does not conduct business or take personal information on its social media sites. Nonetheless, the legitimate sites can be valuable sources of information from the agency to the public. TWC will only send out useful information; if there is information needed for a particular claimant’s case, that person will be directed to either the UI portal or TWC’s Telecenters.
TWC’s authorized social media accounts, used for disseminating information only, include:
- Facebook: facebook.com/texasworkforcecommission
- Twitter: twitter.com/TXWorkforce
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/Texas-workforce-commission
All Texans should take steps to secure their identity online by practicing Internet security best practices. Treat your TWC account and all accounts like you would your bank account. The Texas Workforce Commission will investigate every unemployment benefit claim to confirm identity and to lock accounts that are fraudulent.
May 18 Health Fair Hosted at FBC THE ROC for Local Seniors
For the past three years, Jody Pair has been manager of The Roc and serves as Minister of Missions and Outreach. Jody visited the KSST Good Morning Show to invite the public to the many free events and activities planned inside THE ROC, including the 2021 Health Fair set for the morning of Tuesday May 18.
If you want to utilize The ROC for a family reunion, club meeting or banquet, the facility can be rented for small to larger events. Most other uses are free, such as if you’re looking for an indoor place to walk for exercise, there’s the walking track built around the upper perimeter of the gym. Youth and adults can schedule time to play basketball and other kinds of sports in the gym. Friday mornings 9am til noon is Toddler Time, where the gym is reserved for children age 5 and under to play and enjoy with their parent/grandparent. Find out all the uses of The ROC on the First Baptist Church Facebook page, or website ssfbc.org. Or phone for information at 903-885-0649. See the entire interview with Enola and Jody by clicking HERE
3 Women Sentenced In District Court This Week
Three women were sentenced in the 8th Judicial District Court this week, one on an aggravated assault of a peace officer charge and two on controlled substance charges, according to the district attorney’s office. A Cumby man was also taken into custody in district court Wednesday for bond forfeiture.
Megan Michelle Smith was sentenced Monday on an aggravated assault of a peace officer charge.
A 12.45 agreement refers to Section 12.45 of Texas Penal Code which allows a defendant to admit during a sentencing hearing to guilt of one or more unadjudicated offenses and request the court to take each into account in determining as sentence for the offense or offenses of which the defendant stands adjudged guilty. While considered, the unadjudicated offenses are dismissed.
The charge stems from a Nov. 15, 2020, traffic stop in which Smith was accused of slashing at deputies with a knife, causing bodily injury to one officer when the officers attempted to taken her into custody on a Travis County warrant for assault of public servant – EMS personnel. She then began striking and attempted to bite another deputy when he applied a tourniquet to a wound she had, while awaiting arrival of EMS personnel. Smith and the first officer were treated at the hospital. Upon Smith’s release, she received an escort to the county jail, where she’s remained ever since for aggravated assault of a peace officer, assault of a peace officer, failure to identify and on the Travis County warrant.
The 31-year-old Savannah, Georgia woman originally faced two charges aggravated assault of a peace officer and assault of a peace officer. However, as part of a 12.45 agreement, Smith pled open to the court May 10, 2021, on the aggravated assault charge, and the district attorney’s office dismissed the non-aggravated assault charge.
At the time she committed the Hopkins County offenses, Smith was on probation out of Travis County for the assault of a peace officer charge. Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris argued for prison time. She was ultimately sentenced May 10 to 12 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Because this is an aggravated case, the defendant must serve 6 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Misty Lynn Cribbs arranged to plead guilty before the court Tuesday as part of a 12.45 agreement. She was accused on two counts of possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
The charges followed a traffic stop Sunday afternoon, Oct. 25, 2020, on East Industrial Drive. Recognizing the driver as a woman with no driver’s license and no insurance on the vehicle, and following up on information that a woman associated with the SUV was involved in the sale and distribution of narcotics, deputies had her step out so they could search the vehicle. The 46-year-old Sulphur Springs woman allegedly clutched a yellow purse she was told to leave in the vehicle unless she agree to let them search it for weapons. She got upset, then allegedly admitted to having contraband, methamphetamine in the purse. They found 10.21 grams of suspected meth and other paraphernalia, officers alleged in the 2020 arrest reports.
Cribbs, who is also known by Misty Lynn Stout, was allowed to call her a woman identified as her roommate at a motel where she had been staying so the other woman could collect the SUV. She said she didn’t think there was contraband in their room and agreed to let the deputies search it. The other woman reportedly escorted a deputy inside, where he alleged seeing what appeared to be a small amount of meth on a plate by the bed and finding more of the substance elsewhere in the room. Cribbs was charged with an additional possession offense for the 5.3 grams of suspected meth reportedly found in the motel room. She has remained in Hopkins County jail since her arrest on Oct. 25, 2020.
Pursuant to TPC 12.45, one of Cribbs’ cases was dropped; she was sentenced May 11, 2021, in the 8th Judicial District Court to 10 years of deferred probation and a $1,000 fine on the other possession of controlled substance charge. As a condition of probation, she is required to complete an intensive residential drug rehabilitation program.
Cheyenne Nicole Carter was taken into custody Tuesday, May 11, 2021, in the 8th Judicial District Court after being sentenced on a controlled substance charges.
Carter was accused on possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance on July 15, 2020.
Early Wednesday morning, July 15, 2020, Carter was stopped on Hillcrest Drive by police and displayed signs of nervousness. She reportedly agreed to let the policeman search her car, then admitted to being in possession of methamphetamine. She was released from jail later that day on a $5,000 bond on the charge. Carter was indicted in February 2021 on a possession of controlled substance charge.
The 26-year-old Sulphur Springs woman made arrangements to plead guilty before the court on May 11, 2021, on the July 15, 2020 charge. She was sentenced to 5 years deferred probation, and required to attend and successfully complete the intermediate sanctions facility drug rehabilitation program as a condition of probation, according to the ADA. Carter was taken into custody on May 11 to await transfer to the ISF to complete the program.
Billy Clay Kirby was taken into custody in the 8th Judicial District Court at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2021, for bond forfeiture on tampering with physical evidence with intent to impair and possession of controlled substance charges. He was escorted by jail staff to Hopkins County jail, where he was held without bond on both charges.
The 51-year-old Cumby man was arrested June 15, 2019, on the tampering and controlled substance charges after Cumby police located a baggy with a white crystal-like substance the officers believed to be methamphetamine in the rear floorboard and a marijuana cigarette in a child’s toy in rear of the vehicle during a traffic stop. The other occupant of the vehicle alleged Kirby ate illegal contraband believed to be methamphetamine as they were being pulled over and threw illegal contraband out the front passenger window. A large piece of white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine was found on Kirby’s shirt as well, police alleged in the 2019 arrest reports. Kirby was released from jail July 20, 2019, on a $10,000 bond on the tampering charge and a $5,000 bond on the other.
Kirby then was indicted November 2020 on both charges as well.
Lancaster Man Compounds Troubles By Attempting To Destroy Contraband, Hide Crack Cocaine In A Body Cavity
A Lancaster man arrested for having drug paraphernalia compounded his troubles early Wednesday morning by trying to destroy on item of contraband and attempting to hide crack cocaine in a body cavity.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite and Deputy Zack Horne responded on Interstate 30 west to what was reported as a reckless driver. Deputies contacted the driver of a silver Honda Civic at 5:09 a.m. May 12, 2021 at mile marker 135. In arrest reports, the deputies noted the 40-year-old Lancaster man appeared to them to be under the influence of an unknown substance.
While conducting a search, deputies found a green pill identified as Alprazolam, which is more commonly known by Xanax, in the Denise Louden’s handbag. He was taken into custody at 5:51 p.m. and transported to jail for possession of drug paraphernalia; the car he was in was impounded, Fite alleged in arrest reports.
While being booked into the county jail, staff reported seeing the man trying to discard contraband by crushing it in his hands. Then, in the jail intake dressing room, Louden attempted to conceal additional contraband inside of a body cavity. Deputies believed the white substance he tried to tried to hide to be crack cocaine; the contraband and packaging recovered from Louden’s body orifice weighed 1.6 grams.
As a result, Louden was charged not only on a misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge, but also with tampering with physical evidence and possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Louden, who is also known by Dennis Demon Louden and Denise Demond Louden, remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday, May 13, 2021, in lieu of $20,000 bond, $10,000 each on the tampering charge for trying to destroy contraband and a controlled substance charge for tried to hide crack cocaine in a body cavity.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Wanted Rockwall Man, Quinlan Woman Arrested On Controlled Substance And Firearm Charges
A wanted Rockwall man and 35-year-old Quinlan woman were arrested on controlled substance and firearm charges late Wednesday morning, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bobby Osornio initiated a traffic stop at 10:24 a.m. May 12, 2021, on a black Ford Expedition after a license plate check showed the vehicle’s registration to have expired in December of 2020. The SUV continued north on FM 2297, crossing County Road 1180 before stopping.
Upon contact with the pair, the driver identified himself as John Deleon and the passenger as Stephanie Rena Boyer. While talking to the driver, Osornio noted the man’s hands had a tremor and that the driver failed to maintain eye contact with the deputy. When Osornio asked the pair if there was anything illegal in the vehicle, the driver said the passenger was the SUV owner and he didn’t know. When both refused his request to search the vehicle, he had the pair to step out while he conducted a records check using their information. The driver later admitted he’d given a fake name, and identified himself as Brian Lawson, Osornio alleged in arrest reports.
Lawson was placed into handcuffs after a records check showed the 34-hear-old Rockwall man to be wanted by Texas Department of Criminal Justice on a warrant for violation of parole. HCSO Deputy Kevin Lester along with Sgt. Richard Greer, had arrived to assist. Lester transported Lawson to the county jail to be booked on the warrant.
Sheriff’s officers located a loaded syringe, used syringe and cut straw with a crystal-like substance he believed based on his training to be methamphetamine inside of an eyeglass case in the passenger’s side door pocket, Osornio alleged in arrest reports. Greer took Boyer into custody at 10:53 a.m. May 12, 2021, and placed into Osornio’s patrol vehicle while deputies continued inventorying the SUV.
A firearm was located in the glovebox. Located in a purse on the passenger’s side of the vehicle was a pile of credit/debit cards. While there were several cards, only one had Boyer’s name on it; that one was left in the vehicle, Osornio alleged in arrest reports. Greer then located a zipper bag with a digital scale and a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine that had residue inside of it, the deputies alleged in arrest reports.
The SUV was impounded and Osornio transported Boyer to Hopkins County jail for booking. Both the man identified as Lawson and Boyer denied any knowledge of either the pistol or the loaded syringe found in the vehicle. Lawson and Boyer were both booked into Hopkins County jail at 7:49 p.m. May 12, 2021, on controlled substance and firearm charges. Lawson also was held on the parole warrant. Boyer too was charged with fraudulent use or possession of 10 or more but less than 50 credit/debit cards, Osornio noted in arrest reports.
Boyer, who is also known by Stephanie Rena Stodgill, remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday evening, May 13, 2021, in lieu of $20,000 bond: $5,000 each on the possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and fraud charges, and $10,000 on the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge. Lawson also remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday evening, May 13, 2021; his bonds totaled $15,000 on the Hopkins County charges: $10,000 on the firearm charge and $5,000 on the controlled substance charge; he was held for TDCJ on the parole warrant, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
SBOE Now Accepting Nominations For The 2021 Heroes For Children Award
AUSTIN, Texas – May 13, 2021 – Each school day, thousands of Texans volunteer their time in the state’s more than 8,800 public schools.
Please take the opportunity to recognize the contributions of your local volunteers by nominating them for the State Board of Education’s (SBOE) Heroes for Children Award. The award recognizes the many outstanding volunteers whose effort and excellence in advocacy for education has significantly benefitted Texas’s public school students.
A Texas resident who gives time, service, or support to public schools and students may be nominated for the award. However, elected officials and educational employees are ineligible for consideration of this award recognition.
Nominations are being accepted now through July 1, 2021 at 5 p.m. (CDT).
Since its creation in 1994, the board has recognized over 450 outstanding school volunteers with this award. Each year, the 15 SBOE members select one award recipient from each of their districts. Last year’s 15 recipients collectively donated a total of 190 years of volunteer service to Texas public schools.
Examples of volunteer services provided by past “Heroes for Children” recipients include mentoring children, providing weekend meals and Wi-Fi access during the pandemic, providing ready-made meals for families in need, organizing fundraisers, and much more to help create happy, thriving school cultures.
This year’s recipients will be recognized at the board’s September general meeting in Austin, Texas. Each recipient will receive a plaque and a resolution. Their names will also be engraved on a perpetual plaque outside the SBOE board room.
The nomination form and additional information can be found here: https://tea.texas.gov/Heroes_for_Children.aspx.
Tira News – May 13, 2021: Residents Enjoyed Mother’s Day With Family, Friends
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the families of Wanda Clayton and Terry Runyan. Wanda was buried on May 8, and Terry was buried on May 11, in the Tira Cemetery. Please remember these families in your prayers.
Nicolas Esterhuyse, grandson of Robert and Yvonne Weir, celebrated his 5th birthday Sunday the 2nd at his home, with his cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
Yvonne Weir and Brenda Allen spent two nights in Salado, Texas, enjoying the first annual Cowboy Poetry gathering. Yvonne comments, “It was very relaxing and fun. It was great to go somewhere!”
Michael McNiel came on Saturday to see Joyce and William Dodd for an early Mother’s Day. Joyce reports, “He brought lunch and stayed for a long overdue visit.” They hadn’t seen each other in over a year due to COVID-19. Brad Dodd came to eat with them, too. Joyce adds, “On Sunday Brad and Matthew ate Mother’s Day lunch with us. Jerry and Tonja Lucas visited with us that afternoon, and Robby Dodd came later in the day.” They really enjoyed their weekend visits.
Our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, Tiffany, Perry, and Jaidyn, came in from Malvern, Arkansas, for Mother’s Day weekend. We enjoyed a delicious meal at Tejano’s Mexican Restaurant in Cooper on Saturday evening. After church on Sunday, Elizabeth Steinsiek, Linda Ellen Vaughn, Landon, Laiken, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin, Kenden Joslin and Emma Hall joined us for lunch. Jim Vaughn from Broken Bow, Oklahoma, arrived just in time to eat with us, too. Lana Hall, John Vaughn, and Tim and Lori Vaughn, also, came by to see Grace for Mother’s Day on Sunday. Linda Ellen stayed until Monday morning, and then Grace went home with her for a couple of days. Chip went to Dallas on Wednesday and helped Linda with some home repairs and brought Grace home that evening.
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].
Bessonett And Resendiz Named Top Miller Grove High School 2021 Graduates
Jorja Bessonett has been named the valedictorian and Andrea Resendiz the salutatorian of the Miller Grove High School Graduating Class of 2021, MGISD announced earlier this week.
Bessonett achieved the top ranking in the senior class with an overall 102.06 grade point average.
She is the daughter of Bill and Cherrie Bessonett and the granddaughter of Glen and Carolyn George and Susie and Mike Bessonett. She has an older sister, Aleigh, and two younger siblings, Titus and Ava.
Throughout her four years of high school, Bessonett participated in basketball, track, and cross country. In cross country and track combined, she won four individual and one team State Championship, and currently holds the 1A state meet record in the 3200.
In addition to being an accomplished athlete, Bessonett was involved in many academic activities. She was an active member of National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Miller Grove 4-H Club. This year’s senior class valedictorian participated in Academic UIL.
Some of her favorite things to do in her free time include spending time with her family and friends, baking, and drawing.
Bessonett graduated in December 2020 with her Associate Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies from Paris Junior College, where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
She plans to continue her education at Texas A&M University-Commerce in pursuit of a degree in Kinesiology and Sports Studies. She then plans to receive certification as a Medical Diagnostic Sonographer and obtain a job that she loves.
Above all this, Bessonet said she hopes to live a life of service to her Lord and show the love of Christ through her daily actions.
Andrea “Andi” Resendiz earned salutatorian honors with 99.76. GPA.
The second ranked 2021 MGHS senior is the daughter of Fred and Elizabeth Resendiz. She has four sisters, all who have graduated from Miller Grove ISD.
During the beginning of her high school career, Andrea was a member of the FFA Chapter, serving as a Reporter her freshman year. She participated in state Forestry competitions and other career and leadership development events such as Creed Speaking.
In addition, Resendiz was a member of the National Honor Society, acting as Treasurer of the Miller Grove ISD chapter.
She too was an active member of UIL, participating in math and language arts competitions.
Resendiz was also a member of the MGHS athletics program, acting as a volleyball manager her sophomore year.
As a dual-credit student, she earned her Associate Degree in Sociology at Paris Junior College, where she also was a Phi Theta Kappa member.
Resendiz will be attending Grand Canyon University in Arizona this fall on an academic scholarship, majoring in Justice Studies.
both Bessonett and Resendiz were awarded a $2,850 scholarship from the Finis and Onree Attlesey and Sweet Gamblin Scholarship Trust to apply toward their college studies.
Top Miller Grove 8th Graders Announced
Miller Grove ISD this week announced Gabe Hayden and Emma Knight as this year’s top Miller Grove 8th graders.
Hayden is the 2021 Miller Grove 8th Grade class valedictorian, an honor he earned with an overall grade point average of 93.71. He is the son of Jimmi and Marcella Hayden of Miller Grove and has six siblings, Kavan Smith, Ashley Hayden, Heather Melton, Chandra Hayden, Melanie Hayden, and Jessica Linex.
He has competed in UIL events such as Oral Reading, Spelling, Modern Oratory and One Act Play.
Outside of school, Hayden has been a part of Shining Star Productions community theater, where he has played Gaston in “Beauty and the Beast,” Michael in “Mary Poppins” and, most recently, the Tin Man in the “Wizard of Oz.”
In his free time, Gabe enjoys playing the guitar and ukulele, drawing and painting, as well as baking.
Emma Knight secured the MG 8th Grade salutatorian spot with an overall grade point average of 90.9.
The 2021 MGJH 8th grade salutatorian is the daughter of Josh and Robin Knight. Her siblings are Jace and Luke Knight.
She has competed in several UIL academic events throughout junior high such as Maps, Graphs and Charts.
In her spare time, Knight enjoys swimming, cooking, and working with her horses and cows.
2 Miller Grove Junior High Robotics Teams Advance To Global Contest
Two Miller Grove Junior High Robotics Teams have advancing to the Global VEX Robotics Competition, while the Grove’s high school team competed in their second state robotics tournament this year.
The MGISD teams compete in VEX Robotics Competitions featuring competitors from schools ranging in size from 1A to 6A, as well as home school teams. The Junior High and High School teams all compete together and against each other at competitions, not dividing into grade levels until state. Then, junior high and high school have separate tournaments, explained Laura Smith, who along with David Mosley and Robert Smith, serves as a MGISD robotics sponsor.
The MGJH teams ranked third and seventh in state in the robotics skills competition and qualified for the Junior High State Competition. As has been the case for many things this year, both teams competed virtually in the state skills competition and judges’ interviews. The MGJH teams won the Build Award and the Amaze Award from the judges’ interviews, which qualified them for the World Robotics Skills Competition.
Both Junior High Teams had their judges interviews virtually with a panel of judges from across the world. They are still waiting to be sent the appropriate links so their robots can be checked in and their skills competition scheduled.
(Photos: Courtesy Miller Grove ISD Robotics )
“Those should drop any time. The World Competitions are all happening virtually this year, which is actually kind of exciting for our students. We should be competing some time next week,” Laura Smith said Tuesday.
Junior high robotics students include Alessandro Alvarez, Blanca Culbertson, Kaden Hiller, Yahir Santana and Sebastian Tovar.
For the second time, the MGHS robotics team qualified for and competed at the State Tournament.
“They competed very well, but were beaten out by 5A and 6A in the tournament. We are very proud of how well they did,” Laura Smith said.
The MG High School Robotics Team includes George Back, Aiden Yudell and Hannah Nalls.
Since the junior high robotics students’ won’t get to experience the live global contest, MGISD is planning a Watch Party for the robotics teams at the end of the month so they can watch the Global finals in their tournament division, as well as announcement of awards and the reveal of next year’s game.
