4 Men Jailed in Hopkins County On Felony Charges
Four men were jailed in Hopkins County on felony charges in the last 2 days, on on a controlled substance charges, one on a felony driving while intoxicated charge and two on marijuana charges, according to arrest reports.
James Raymond Adams turned himself in just before 2 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2021, in the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office lobby. Deputy Nick Marney escorted the 43-year-old Dover, Delaware man into Hopkins County jail, where he was booked at 2:15 a.m. for bond forfeiture on a possession of 5 pounds or more but less than 50 pounds of marijuana charge.
Adams was initially arrested on the marijuana charge on Jan. 10, 2005, then released from jail on a $10,000 charge later that day. He was jailed again in Hopkins County Dec. 3, 2010 for violating probation on the marijuana charge; he was released on a $15,000 bond on Dec. 21, 2010, according to jail reports.
The Delaware man remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday, April 29, 2021. His new bond on the charge was set at $30,000, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Department Special Crimes Unit Det. Sgt. Joe Scott contacted the occupants of a Toyota Camry around 4:30 p.m. April 27, 2021, for being illegally parked more than 18 inches from the curb in the 400 block of South Davis Street.
The passenger, identified in arrest reports as 23-year-old Quenten Aaron Reed, reportedly showed nervous indicators. When asked, he reportedly agreed to let officials search his pockets. Scott alleged 1-gram of suspected THC was located during the search. The 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody for possession of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance.
Just prior to entering the jail, another 1-gram THC vial was reportedly found in Reed’s pocket pocket, Scott alleged in arrest reports. As a result, Reed was booked into jail shortly after 5 p.m. April 27, on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance. Reed was released from jail April 28, 2021, on a $10,000 bond on the third-degree felony charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite stopped around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, to check on the motorist in a blue Ford Edge stopped facing on FM 1567 west. Dakota Shane Weir told the deputy that he had a flat tire. When the 31-year-old Lone Oak man tried to exit the vehicle, he stumbled, appearing heavy footed, Fite noted in arrest reports. When asked how much he’d had to drink, Weir reportedly admitted he’d consumed two beers.
When the deputy went to turn his vehicle around, Weir allegedly returned to his vehicle and dove away. Fite hit the overhead lights on his patrol vehicle. Weir allegedly continuing for half a mile on FM 1567 west, before pulling over just east of FM 3399. Fite contacted Weir from at his window. Fite reported smelling an alcohol odor emitting from the Lone Oak man, who the deputy claimed refused to get out of his vehicle. Fite reported unlocking the vehicle through the window, which was down, then removing Weir from the vehicle and placed him into handcuffs. When the 31-year-old refused to perform standard field sobriety tests as instructed, Fite transported him to the county jail for further investigation of DWI, the deputy alleged in arrest reports.
Upon arrival at the jail, he was placed in an intoxilyzer room, where he refused to submit to a blood draw. Fite contacted Judge Clay Harrison, who granted a search warrant requiring the blood draw. Weir was taken to the hospital, where the blood sample was taken, then transported to jail, where he was booked around midnight on a felony DWI, third or more offense charge, according to arrest reports.
Fite was released from the county jail later Wednesday, April 28, 2021, on a $10,000 bond on the third-degree felony DWI charge, according to jail records, which also show Weir spent the night March 18, 2012 on a DWI charge before being released the next day on a $1,000 bond.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde stopped a black Chevrolet Malibu around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 137 for speeding. The driver, identified in arrest reports as Vergil Wayne Wilson, allegedly claimed he was headed to Shreveport from the Dallas Fort Worth area, that he was I-30 because his GPS indicated it was the fastest route.
Aware that I-20 is a faster route and noting that Wilson showed indicators of extreme nervousness and deception, Ugalde obtained permission to search the car. The highway patrol reported finding a small bag containing marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the passenger compartment and four vacuum-sealed bags containing marijuana in a suitcase in the trunk of the car. The suspected marijuana weighed 4.4 pounds including packaging, Ugalde alleged in arrest reports.
Wilson received an escort to the county jail, where the 25-year-old Shreveport resident spent the night on possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana and drug paraphernalia charges. He was released from jail on Thursday, April 29, 2021, on a $5,000 on the marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
TxDOT Calls for Safer Driving as Work Zone Traffic Deaths Rise During Pandemic
AUSTIN – Even with less traffic during the pandemic, Texas work zone fatalities increased 9% in 2020 compared to 2019. That’s why TxDOT is calling on drivers to make safety their number one priority at all times and especially when passing through active construction and maintenance work zones on the roadway.
TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign is marking National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 26–30, with safety tips to reduce work zone fatalities. Last year, there were more than 22,000 traffic crashes in Texas work zones with 186 people killed, including four road workers.
“We know driving through work zones can be challenging,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “There can be extra congestion, slow-moving heavy equipment, temporary barriers, and vehicles that make sudden stops. We can’t stress enough how important it is to give driving your full attention and slow down—for your own safety and that of the people who work alongside the road.”
Drivers and their passengers account for the majority of those who have died in work zone crashes. In 2020, 147 motorists and vehicle passengers were killed in Texas work zones, along with 35 pedestrians and bicyclists and four road workers.
The Texas Mutual Insurance Company, which helps employers prevent workplace incidents and their consequences, is partnering with TxDOT to promote safe driving. The “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign outlines five key steps drivers can take to safely navigate a work zone:
1. Slow down. Follow the posted speed limit and drive to conditions. Unsafe speed is one of the main causes of crashes in work zones.
2. Pay attention. Avoid distractions, keep your mind on the road and put your phone away.
3. Watch out for road crews. The only protective gear they wear is a vest, a hardhat and safety boots. Remember, they want to get home safe, too.
4. Don’t tailgate. Give yourself room to stop in a hurry if you need to. Rear-end collisions are the most common kind of work zone crashes.
5. Allow extra time. Road construction can slow things down. Count on it, and plan for it.
Traffic fines double in work zones when workers are present and can cost up to $2,000. Failure to heed the Move Over/Slow Down law can also result in a $2,000 fine. State law requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching a TxDOT vehicle, emergency vehicle, law enforcement, tow truck or utility vehicle stopped with flashing lights activated on the roadside.
“Be Safe. Drive Smart.” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel such as wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths. For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700.
SSPD Scam Alert: Beware Of Callers Threatening Warrants Or Jail If Money, Preloaded Gift Or Debit Cards Are Not Shipped
Police Recover $26,400 Of More Than $60,000 Taken As A Result of Phone Scams
Sulphur Springs Police Department investigators warn residents to beware of callers threatening warrants or jail time if money or gift cards aren’t mailed or shipped immediately. Also, don’t send money if notified of a supposed prize award, such as a vehicle or large amount of money. Police emphasize these are scams, designed primarily to take advantage of elderly and other unsuspecting individuals.
While the concept is not new, the latest round of phone scammers are more manipulative, cunning and aggressive in their threats and methods. This week, scammers convinced one person to of the need to send approximately $60,000 to stay out of jail and conned another into sending $6,400 to claim a vehicle prize. However, thanks to savvy parcel carriers, police were able to get return the full $6,400 to one and $20,000 of the $60,000 for the other.
One of the scam victims remained on the phone all day with the cons, who pretended to be federal officers. When the elderly person attempted to hang up, the caller reportedly became verbally aggressive, threatening to arrest, even claiming the person’s door would be knocked down if the person did not send payment as ordered immediately in the manner, location and amounts as instructed. The victim reportedly stayed on the phone when the caller went to the bank to procure the money. When the bank employing cautioned about a potential scam, the victim became defense to the bank employee. Funds were then delivered to more than one shipping location to be sent to more than one address, event going so far as to order the person to a second location in a city other than the hometown.
One person was told to load the requested funding in specific amounts onto debit cards. One had the funding wrapped and placed between the pages of a magazine, which had duct tape around the edges, then put into a shoe box that also had duct tape on it. The individual then took it for overnight delivery, claiming the parcel contained important papers that had to get to the noted location within 24-hours or less — which also costs quite a bit in shipping and handling fees as well.
Police reported the parcels appeared suspicious, with signs of potential criminal activity involved. Parcel handlers, whether employees of the US Postal Service or shipping companies, are allowed to open suspicious packages without a warrant and will contact police if contraband is located. When it became apparent what was going on in the aforementioned situation, police were contacted. Police talked to one of the fraudulent callers over the phone; the individual claiming to work for law enforcement when confronted hung up on the police officers.
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson and Special Crimes Unit Sgt. Joe Scott said these type of scams are becoming more prevalent, with callers becoming more aggressive bullies. Police ask community members to be alert and help protect elderly, the primary targets of these types of scams.
The use of apps which generate fake numbers and use other number masking devices makes tracing the call to the caller, who may not even be in the USA, virtually impossible too. Often, if called back, the number rings as “out of service,” only able to make calls but not receive, or was generated to show someone else’s number.
Scott noted that parcels can be intercepted while in transit, but often are sent to fraudulent address or addresses that do not belong to the caller. The cons often have someone else watch for the package or packages to arrive, then snatch them before anyone knows they were there. The funds then disappear with the person who collects the package.
Typically, these actions occurred quickly, with the victim out large sums, and once the payment has been collected at its destination and is collected, becomes almost impossible to track to the original caller, the SCU investigator noted.
Occasionally, law enforcement get lucky in that they have a full 24-hours to contact officials in the area where the money, gift card or preloaded debit card is being shipped. If the agency has staff available to assist, the agency officials wait for the package to arrive, then detain the person who collects it. That, however, may still not be the person who originated the scheme, however.
The telephone scam victims may be warned not to talk to their family or others about the situation, and if they are questioned by family, friends, business people or law enforcement are instructed exactly what to say in an effort to deflect attention from the scam in progress, Scott noted.
That’s why police urge people who have elderly relatives to check in on them regularly and talk to them about the types of telephone money scams so that they will be alert for them instead of victims. If a person who normally calls daily isn’t heard from in three days, police advise the relative to check on them to find out what’s going on.
If someone calls from a number that’s not known, especially one from a different area code, police recommend not answering the phone. They will leave a message with their name, information and contact number if they truly want to talk to you.
Know that law enforcement, from police and sheriff’s deputies to DEA agents, and government officials will not call asking for money. If a warrant is to be issued, the person will be contacted by mail, and then typically only for citations. If law enforcement plans to serve a warrant, they will do so in person, not by phone and won’t make threats of jail in lieu of payment. If an officer is calling about a warrant, the caller will likely encourage the person to turn themselves in to officials or to report to the law enforcement agency to take care of the matter.
Funds would not be requested in debit or gift cards and payment wouldn’t be due in several smaller increments to be mailed to multiple locations. Official mail from government agencies regarding issue typically will also be sent by certified mail, just as payment or documents should be mailed in appropriate parcel packaging.
If notified of a prize, that too likely will be done by mail, not over the phone. If a fee is required, it’s not free. If someone wants to send a prize, it is typically done by legitimate sources without payment. It’s only free if there’s no free. Do not send money to claim a prize. This is typically an attempt to obtain funding, and sometimes even personal information, not only costing the person dollars but also resulting in identity theft.
Do not give out personal information over the phone to someone who contacts you unsolicited, no matter what they promise or who they claim to be. Local and federal officials will not call asking for personal information over the phone: don’t give out names, addresses, ID or account numbers, officers note.
Officers remind people to keep in mind two things when dealing with unsolicited offers or requests: if it seems to good to be true, it usually is, and it’s not free if you have to pay something.
Police urge those who do have elderly relatives to keep an eye out for potential scams attempted at the older adult’s expense. Those who can are urged to set precautions, and if possible see if they will grant access to financial accounts online once a month or weekly, then monitor vigilantly for sudden changes in spending or sudden frequent withdrawals of large sums.
Anytime a resident feels like they or their family member is being scammed, the individual is urged to contact police to let them check it out. Legitimate businesses and agencies will provide information that can be verified. Those who aren’t sure how to do that may contact police or their local law enforcement office to have them do the checking for you.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Meet New Director of Hopkins County Community Chest
During April 2021, Heather White stepped into the capable shoes of outgoing Director Judy Moore who had successfully led Hopkins County Community Chest for eight years. White is not a new face to Hopkins County, nor to the work that Community Chest does for local residents. Heather is originally from Saltillo and a 2002 graduate of Como-Pickton CISD, then following a 15-year career in Lowe’s management, she made a career change. Beginning as a volunteer, she learned just about every task in the daily operations. White got the nod for the Director’s seat as Moore ramped up her retirement plans earlier this year.
In addition to assisting families through the ongoing food distribution programs at the headquarters at 217 Linda Drive in Sulphur Springs, there’s also the Reach-Out program where a mobile unit travels to food distribution stations in the county on a monthly basis. Community Chest also offers bill-pay assistance as well as emergency resource services for families in need. Assistance is determined by income and application process. If you have needs or have questions about Hopkins County Community Chest, you can visit the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, or you may phone 903-885-3452.
For persons currently receiving food assistance, the ‘shopping” format is being restored in May 2021, as opposed to the bulk distribution which was utilized during the pandemic year of 2020. The food products offered in distribution program is funded by donations from sources in the local community as well as distributions from the Northeast Texas Food Bank.
Lady Cats Softball Playoff Series Has Changed, No Game Thursday Night
The Lady Cats Softball Team’s bi-district schedule versus Lufkin has changed.
The new schedule calls for two games Friday at Marshall at 6 p.m. The second game is scheduled to begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of game 1.
Game 3, if necessary, will be Saturday at noon at Whitehouse. The Lady Cats, district co-champions and the #1 seed from district 15-5A, have a season record of 22-3.
They enter the game having won 13 games in a row. The Lady Cats were 11-1 in district play.
The Lady Panthers are the #4 seed in district 16-5A. They were 4-6 in district games and their season record is 13-12.
The winner of the Lady Cats and Lufkin bi-district series will play the winner of a Joshua and Crandall bi-district series in the Area round.
Lady Cats Softball Coach Carrillo is no stranger to the playoffs. In fact, his Lady Cats have made the playoffs 13 years in a row not counting last year’s COVID-19 interruption.
Only Coach Carrillo’s first Lady Cats’ team, in 2007, did not make the playoffs and they lost a play-in game that kept them out.
Four times the Lady Cats have advanced to the Regional Quarterfinals, or 3rd round. They have also gone to the Area round seven times.
KSST sister station, KRVA-FM, 107.1, will bring you the Lady Cats and Lady Panthers bi-district series and again the schedule has changed. Game 1 and 2 will now be Friday night beginning at 6 pm from Marshall.
Game 3 if needed will take place Saturday at noon at Whitehouse.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Miller Grove HS Has 3 UIL Academic Competitors Moving on to State
Miller Grove High School Academic UIL competitors showed up at the Regional contest with winning in mind.
Of the ten who advanced to Regionals from the District level, the academic team walked away with a total of five medals, three students who are moving on to the state level, and the Speech Team won overall second place.
Bailee Shipp placed fifth in poetry. Addison Stanton fared just a bit better in the prose competition, getting fourth in the event.
Jamilyn Hensley snagged second in Ready Writing, and with that top two finish Hensley will be advancing to State.
Jolee Fox had a solid outing in Persuasive Speaking, getting fifth, but it is the Lincoln Douglas Debate where Fox has shined brightest, winning the event in first place and maintains her unbeaten debate season in the event over the course of this Academic UIL season. Since Fox got gold in the Lincoln Douglas debate, she will be moving on to state as well.
Jagger Qualls finished just behind Fox in the Lincoln Douglas Debate, getting second, and as a result Qualls will be joining Hensley and Fox in advancing to the State competition.
And to round out events for Miller Grove, the Speech Team of Bailee Shipp, Addison Stanton, Kayti Brignon, Kavan Smith, Jorja Bessonett, Jolee Fox, and Jagger Qualls snagged second in the event.
Marcella Hayden, English teacher at Miller Grove HS and the UIL coach of the Ready Writer and all of the Speakers/Debate team said congratulations to the whole Miller Grove HS Academic UIL team.
American Legion, VFW Hosting May 1 Blood Drive
American Legion Post 66 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8560 are hosting the Carter BloodCare bus Saturday in Brookshire’s parking lot, 809 Gilmer St. in Sulphur Springs. The May 1 blood drive will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
According to Carter BloodCare, more than 3,500 blood drives were canceled or postponed due to the pandemic, leaving many banks at critically low levels, reported locally to be the worst blood supply shortage in a decade. Thus, every donation is appreciated.
Donor Eligibility
Blood donors must be at least 16 years of age, weight a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in good general health; 16-year-olds must have written parental consent. There is no upper age limit to donate blood. Donors are encouraged to east a low-fat meal 2-4 hours before giving blood, and drink lots of water or juice before and after donating. They are recommended to avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine products for 12 hours before and after donating, and to avoid strenuous activity for 12 hours after donating blood.
According to Carter BloodCare, most health conditions won’t prohibit people from donating blood. Exceptions that could prevent a person from donating, include those: with skin cancers, solid tumor cancers, leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma, Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease, variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease, or people who have had certain exposure risks, a history of heart disease, hereditary hemochromatosis, or a history of certain infections, lung disease, people who are on antibiotics for treatment of a current infection (not including topical treaments), who are pregnant and for 6 weeks following pregnancy, on testosterone therapy, within 3 months after most blood and platelet transfusions or receiving human grafts and transplants, a history of other certain transplants, who are malaria risks due to travel outside the US, who have had certain recent vaccinations.
Click here to see Carter’s full list of medications and deferral period for each before donor eligibility as well as a list of infections and exposure risks, and conditions that would make a person ineligible to donate blood.
How To Donate
Those who wish to donate blood Saturday need only look for the bus; have a state-issued, school or government issued photo ID in hand; and meet eligibility requirements to donate at the drive hosted by the American Legion and VFW, according to American Legion Post 66 Judge Advocate Billy Cassy.
For the safety of donors and staff, Carter BloodCare continues to follow all national guidelines from the industry as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That means face masks are to be worn by donors and staff, and donors are asked to observe social distancing where possible, according to the CBC website.
All potential donors will be asked for their name, address and to show valid photo ID. A phlebotomist checks temperature, blood pressure, pulse and blood count for potential donors, then asks questions about their medical history to make sure giving blood is safe for the individual and that the potential donor’s blood will be safe to give to patients. Blood donation typically takes approximately 5-10 minutes, and the entire process from registration to post-donation refreshments is anticipated to take less than an hour. The drive is for whole blood donations.
While an appointment is not necessary, those wishing to reserve a time may go online to the Carter BloodCare website and select mobile drive conducted by the American Legion Post #66, select an available time slot and register. All others may look for the Carter BloodCare bus in Brookshire’s parking lot between 9 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. Saturday, May 1. Then get in line with ID.
All donors will be COVID-19 antibody tested. Individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine may donate blood with no deferral time.
Further questions about this drive may be directed to Andy Lowen at 903-355-3733 or Post 66 Judge Advocate Billy Cassy at 903-440-1873
Cumby City-Wide Clean Up Scheduled This Weekend
The three-day Cumby City-Wide Clean Up is scheduled for Friday, April 30, -Sunday, May 2, 2021
A dumpster will be provided behind the water tower on Depot Street to allow City of Cumby residents to dispose of larger household items to help clean up their personal property in town. I
While most things that can fit into a dumpster are allowed, the City of Cumby officials remind residents that there are a few restrictions. The following are not allowed in dumpsters:
- Chemicals
- Tires
- Antifreeze or Freon, or any appliance containing either substance, including refrigerators and window A/C units
- Oil and gas, or any equipment containing either, including lawnmowers.
Residents are reminded that items should be deposited into the dumpster and not left on the ground around it.
State Securities Board: Beware Unregistered Online Platforms Offering “Investment Plans”
AUSTIN – The Texas State Securities Board is warning investors about unregistered online platforms defrauding the public through the sale of so-called “investment plans.” These investment plans often sound appealing – they tend to be tied to blockchain technology, artificial intelligence or foreign currency and promise guaranteed returns paid over very short terms. In many instances, however, the investment plans are simply a means to attract victims, take money and defraud the public.
Bad actors are using descriptive terms to market these investment plans – often referring to them as “silver” plans, “gold” plans or “platinum” plans. They tend to be advertising through social media and websites that serve as online platforms for depositing principal. The promoters generally tell potential clients that, upon receipt of principal, the firms will use the money to trade any number of different products – from stocks to forex, and from contracts for difference to cryptocurrencies. In any event, these promoters tend to have one thing in common: they fraudulently claim investors can reap risk-free guaranteed profits – as high as ten or twenty percent or more over a term often measured not in years or months but days and hours.
Securities Commissioner Travis J. Iles noted the “red flags” associated with these fraudulent promotions. “First, the parties are generally not registered to deal in securities,” he explained. “Many parties are not providing basic information – a real physical address for the office or the identities of corporate officers. Still, they’re offering sky-high returns over a very short term – with no risk whatsoever. All investments carry some degree of risk – and anyone telling you otherwise should not be entrusted with your hard-earned dollars.”
The Texas State Securities Board continues to bring enforcement actions to protect Texans from promoters of fraudulent investment plans. For example, earlier this year, Commissioner Iles entered an emergency order to stop DailyForex247 from continuing to advertise silver, gold and premium plans that fraudulently promised to pay up to $8,000 over five days. He entered a similar emergency action against Digitaly [sic] Invest and FxSmart-Robots, another against Delta Crypt Limited, and other enforcement cases – including a case that named James Blundell and nearly a dozen other parties offering various investment plans that could purportedly turn $1,000 into $15,000 after five days of trading. Blundell was promoting the investment plans through a broad social media presence, and he was even adding false legitimacy to the scheme by using a forged Texas driver license and a phony trading certificate.
Earlier this week, Commissioner Iles brought another emergency cease and desist order against promoters of fraudulent investment plans. This order named Affort Projects, the operator of numerous online platforms including AlgorAndTrade24, AuxiliaryFX Ltd., CryptoDailyTradePlus, CryptoStreamTrade, Exerlo, FXTradePlus24, FXVirwoxFair, Nexetral, PrimeCoinOption, SplitFxTrade, TradeFlow 24, TradeOptionMarket, ViaForexTrade, XpressTrade24 and XpressTrade247.
The emergency order found they were offering investments in investment plans, including the starter plan, premium plan and executive plan. The off-market products supposedly paid exorbitant returns – as much as 20 percent per week through high-frequency Bitcoin trading. Most returns were allegedly characterized as either risk-free or guaranteed.
According to the order, these investment plans were part of a scheme to defraud the public. In furtherance of the scheme, the respondents were not providing full, truthful information to potential clients – they were not, for example, identifying principals and key personnel or strategies for actually generating the exorbitant profits. The emergency order also accused the parties of deceiving potential investors through their claims of regulation by a forex regulator – and not disclosing Spanish officials already warned the public about a previous illegal offering.
“Scammers are recruiting victims by illegally advertising silver plans, and expert plans, and various other plans. These plans tend to have one thing in common – they’re fraudulent plans. If you deposit your money, you should expect to lose your money,” said Enforcement Director Joe Rotunda.
The Texas State Securities Board encourages investors to conduct thorough due diligence and investigate before they purchase an investment. Investors can obtain more information about protecting themselves from fraud at the agency’s website at www.ssb.texas.gov.
Commerce Tigers Baseball Falls to Lone Oak on Senior Night
The Commerce Tigers baseball team jumped out to a quick lead on Senior Night but it was not enough as Lone Oak scored 11 unanswered to best the Tigers in Commerce on Tuesday, Apr. 27 by a score of 11-1.
Commerce got their only run of the game when Nicholson of the Tigers was walked by Lone Oak pitching, and following an error by Lone Oak catcher Jackson, Nicholson was able to advance all the way to third base.
The following batter for Commerce, Elliott, hit a sac fly to left field with 1 out to allow Nicholson to tag and reach home, giving the Tigers a 1-0 advantage after 1 full inning. Neither team would score in the second.
But the Buffalos would no go quietly, as they then proceeded to score their first run of the game in the top of the third to tie the game at 1-all. Lone Oak then scored two more runs in the top of the fourth to take their first lead of the night at 3-1. The Buffalos put on 8 more runs in their next at-bat in the top of the fifth to make the score 11-1.
Commerce, after scoring their first run of the contest, could not manage any more offense in the middle of the game as the district match-up was called after five to the tune of an 11-1 Tiger loss to Lone Oak.
Colby Lewis and J’den Wilson both led the Tigers with 1 hit a piece, the only hits on the night for Commerce.
Elliott got the loss for Commerce after pitching 4 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and five runs while striking out 5 Buffalo batters. Lewis came in and pitched the final 2/3 innings for the Tigers.
With the loss, the Commerce Tigers baseball team’s season record falls to 5-16-1 according to their game changer page.
Next up, the Tigers will conclude their season on Friday in their rematch with Lone Oak, with the notable difference being that the two teams will be playing at Lone Oak on Friday. That game is set to tee off on Friday, Apr. 30 at 7 P.M.
