Lady Cats Soccer Team Drops First Scrimmage At Home, 2-1 to Royse City
The Lady Cats Soccer Team scored first in their scrimmage game with Royse City Thursday night, December 10, at Gerald Prim Stadium. The Lady Bulldogs answered with two goals of their own in the second half to take the scrimmage game, 2-1.
Lady Cats sophomore Rebekah Stanley scored the Lady Cats goal at the 24:14 mark in the first half. Senior Janine Yamaguchi assisted on the goal. The Lady Cats went into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead. It held up for a little more than 14 minutes into the second half.
The Lady Bulldogs dangerous scorer, junior Trinity Hernandez, scored at the 25:49 mark of the second half to tie the score 1-1. Royse City scored another goal at 18:34 in the second half to take a 2-1 lead. The Lady Cats had several near misses as they attempted to get the equalizing goal. Yamaguchi hit the crossbar with a shot at 14:26. Stanley had a shot go just wide 18 seconds later. Yamaguchi also had a shot go just wide at 13:09.
After the game, just for the practice, each team took five penalty kicks. Royse City made all five and the Lady Cats netted three of five. Scoring on the PKs for the Lady Cats were Yamaguchi, sophomore Isabelle Thesing and Stanley.
Lady Cats Coach Javier Aguayo said it was a good game and, as you might expect from two former district rivals, both teams played hard and with intensity. He said he was pretty pleased with his team’s defense. Coach Aguayo said they needed to do a better job of communicating with each other. He said the Lady Cats seemed to get a little comfortable in the second half. He said the young team has a lot of growing to do but he said the skill is there.
The Lady Cats next scrimmage will be against Paris next Thursday at Prim Stadium. Coach Aguayo said the scrimmage was originally scheduled for next Tuesday but was moved to next Thursday so some of Paris’ soccer team members could play in the Paris band at State Competition.
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.
Dec. 10 COVID 19 Update: 1 Fatality, 5 New Cases
Another COVID-19 fatality was reported for Hopkins County on Thursday, along with five new COVID-19 cases and an increase in the patient count in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, according to the Dec. 10 Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 dashboard and Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials’ Dec. 10 COVID-19 update.
Dec. 10 COVID-19 Case Counts
Recoveries continues to outpace new cases this month, despite the fact that there were no new recoveries reported Thursday. In fact, in only four of the first 10 days of December have recoveries been reported: 80 on Dec. 2, two each on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, and 32 on Dec. 9.
A total of 104 new COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County so far this month, which is 12 fewer new cases than recoveries reported this month, including 23 this week.
The 104 new cases for the first 10 days of the month is still ahead of the pace for the first 10 days of November when 10 new cases were reported and October when only 51 cases had been reported through Oct. 10.
Because there were no new recoveries Thursday to offset the new cases, the active case count rose to 66 on Dec. 10. That’s 66 Hopkins County residents who have been lab-confirmed via molecular tests and currently have the virus.
Hospital Reports
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Dec. 10 COVID-19 update reported the patient count in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs is 23 for the third day this week and the fifth time this month. (CMFHSS patient counts are only reported by HC/SSEM on weekdays). The patient count in the COVID unit has not been higher so far this month and has only been lower on three days in December: 21 patients on Dec. 2, 20 patients on Dec. 3 and 22 patients on Dec. 9. The last time the patient count in the COVID unit was below 20 was on Nov. 25, when 19 were reported.
COVID-19 hospitalizations increased from 157 to 166 on Thursday, although total hospitalizations declined from 621 on Wednesday to 604 on Thursday. Overall, COVID-19 hospitalization account for 15.36 percent of the total hospital capacity in Trauma Service Area F which includes most of Northeast Texas, including Hopkins County and CMFHSS. This follows a week in which COVID-19 hospitalization remained below the 15 percent threshold.
Also on Dec. 10, TSA F had 1,081 total staffed hospital beds, six less than on Wednesday, and 990 total staffed inpatient beds, 14 less.
Only five ICU beds were available in TSA F on Thursday, one less than on Wednesday, but two more than on Tuesday and one more than on Monday. The number of available ventilators throughout TSA F decreased by six to 64 on Thursday, the same as on Tuesday, but one more than on Monday, and three less than on Sunday. On Thursday, there were 386 available hospital beds in Area F, three more than on Wednesday, but nine less than on Tuesday and 12 less than on Monday; the least number of available beds this week in Area F hospitals wsa 352 on Dec. 4.
| Hospital Category | Dec. 7 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 9 | Dec. 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1078 | 1072 | 1095 | 1081 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 398 | 395 | 383 | 386 |
| Available ICU Beds | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Available Ventilators | 63 | 64 | 70 | 64 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 152 | 157 | 157 | 166 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 589 | 586 | 621 | 604 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 987 | 981 | 1004 | 990 |
| Percent Capacity | 14.1 | 14.85 | 14.34 | 15.36 |
Testing
On Wednesday, Dec. 9, personnel at the free testing site at 128-A Jefferson St. performed 99 COVID-19 tests. That’s 380 tests conducted at the site in the last week and 681 in December. Since the Red Cross Building opened Sept. 25 as a testing center 5,212 molecular tests have been performed there.
Free molecular COVID-19 testing continues to be offered Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of December.
Testing is available for anyone, but registration must be completed by an adult age 18 or older in advance online at www.GoGetTested.com to schedule the oral COVID swab.
Those testing should bring the number with the QR code sent to them upon completion of registration and a photo ID to 128-A Jefferson St. at their designated time. This is not a drive-through location. The COVID-19 test will be performed inside the building.
Testers will be asked if they have consumed anything by mouth in the 15-20 minutes prior to arrival. Those who have will be required to wait the requisite time before testing to better ensure a more accurate result.
The Local Health Authority nurse recommends people getting the oral molecular swab test from the free state testing site refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, vaping, chewing gum or brushing their teeth for at least an hour prior to the test. Doing so, she reports, will make a difference in the outcome of the test.
COVID-19 Fatalities
The DSHS Dec. 10 COVID-19 Case Count Fatalities by County of Residence dashboard showed a 60th COVID-19 death has been confirmed for Hopkins County. The resident was confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19 on Dec. 2. At only 10 days in, two Hopkins County residents have been confirmed to have died this month from COVID-19. The first COVID-19 death, announced Wednesday, occurred on Dec. 1.
That increases the fatality rate from 6.34 percent to 6.41 percent of Hopkins County residents who have tested COVID-19 positive since March, and 0.16 percent of the overall population. The latter is the higher than the other eight counties immediately surrounding Hopkins County.
One additional COVID-19 fatality each was also confirmed for Rains County and Titus County, and two each for Wood and Hunt counties. That makes 10 fatalities for Rains County, 42 for Titus County, 56 for Wood County and 67 fatalities for Hunt County.
Red River County’s fatality rate among COVID-19 positive residents continues to be the highest at 7.2 percent among the 9 county area; 18 of the 250 Red River County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March have died from the virus.
Hunt County has had 2,961 residents test positive for COVID-19 since March, the most in the 9-county region, including 67 residents who died from COVID-19.
In Titus County, 42 of the 1,890 residents who have tested positive have died. Titus County’s 2.22 percent fatality rate among infected is lower than even Delta County’s 3.03 percent, even though the county has had only 2 COVID-19 deaths. Delta County has the smallest overall population, estimated at 5,331 in 2019, has had the fewest number of positive cases, 66, and fewest number of fatalities.
Lady Cats Soccer Opens Scrimmage Season Thursday, Wildcats Follow on Saturday, Both at The Prim
The Lady Cats Soccer Team opens the scrimmage portion of their season Thursday evening (December 10) against Royse City at Gerald Prim Stadium. Plans call for a JV scrimmage at 5:30 p.m. with a varsity scrimmage to follow at around 7:15 p.m. This is the first scrimmage of six planned for the Lady Cats this season. For the past several seasons, Royse City has been a top of the district type team. When the pandemic intervened last March, the Lady Cats had compiled a 6-3 district record and they were 10-9-1 for the season. They were scheduled to have one final district contest when the virus interrupted play. That game the Lady Cats lost was against Royse City on the road. Javier Aguayo is beginning his second season as Lady Cats Head Soccer Coach.
The Wildcats Soccer Team, under third year Head Coach Alexi Upton, will open their scrimmage schedule playing matches against three teams Saturday at Gerald Prim Stadium. The Wildcats have invited North Lamar, Sabine and Mineola. The Wildcats scrimmage the Panthers at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sabine at 11 a.m. and Mineola at 2 p.m. All scrimmage action will consist of two 25 minute halves.
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.
Sulphur Springs Among 28 Sites Selected To Host The Wall That Heals In 2021
Sulphur Springs has been named as one of 28 sites across the country selected to host the Wall That Heals, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica Wall and Mobile Education Center, in 2021.
County Judge Robert Newsom at noon Thursday issued a proclamation announcing the honor and encouraging citizens to join the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in continuing to pay tribute to Vietnam veterans and their families by honoring the legacy of service and sacrifice.
Members of Hopkins County Marine Corps League and Hopkins County Military Coalition were on hand to for the reading of the proclamation, which was presented to Hopkins County Veterans Memorial Committee Treasurer/Freedom Ball Committee Co-Chair Mandy Kennedy on the courthouse steps at noon Thursday.
“It’s an event that’s going to bring people to Northeast Texas, to Hopkins County to see the beautiful city and county we live in and also it’s going to honor America,” Newsom said, and expressed thanks to the many people such as Kennedy and Freedom Ball Co-Chair Danny Davis whose efforts made it possible to bring The Wall That Heals to Sulphur Springs.
““Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America,” Jim Knotts, president and CEO of Vietnma Veterans Memorial Fund, was quoted in a press release.
Host Selection
Kennedy expressed excitement at not only the only location in Texas selected to host The Wall That Heals, but to be able to do so the weekend before Veterans Day.
“It’s really unbelievable that we were selected on our first attempt – and that we were given our first choice of dates, November 4-7, 2021, right before Veteran’s Day,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy explained that to be eligible to apply, the applicants had to visit another location to see the wall and all that is involved in hosting it. They began information gathering in the fall of 2019. Applications were online and could only be submitted between a small window of time on one day. Applicants had to provide four different potential dates to host The Wall That Heals.
The Veterans Memorial Committee is partnering with Sulphur Springs ISD and the City of Sulphur Springs to host The Wall that Heals, as a means to “recognize our Veterans of the Vietnam War and offer our community’s grateful appreciation for their service during a difficult time in our nation’s history.”
“How fitting that we have this opportunity so many years later to commemorate the sacrifices they made by hosting this beautiful exhibit in their honor,” Kennedy said.
She credits those partnerships and community support as factors that likely put HCVM’s application to host The Wall That Heals ahead of others.
The cost to host the wall is $10,000, with additional funds going toward other costs associated with hosting it. Typically, the annual Freedom Ball raises funds which would be utilized for purposes to benefit and honor local veterans. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision was made to postpone the Freedom Ball until 2021, as a precaution for the health and safety of the veterans and community members who would attend. The next Freedom Ball will be held on Armed Forces Day in 2021, with both years celebrated, but that means there’s funding available for such a project would be much smaller this year.
Kennedy said HCVM Committee is confident that the community would have come through with the funds needed to host this show of appreciation for Vietnam veterans. However, that was not necessary thanks to the substantial donation Carol Gunn Vernon made in honor of loved ones.
The Wall That Heals will arrived at Sulphur Springs High School Track Tuesday night, Nov. 2 in a 53-foot trailer, that opens with exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile Education Center “telling the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the divisive era in American history.”
Community volunteers will set the Wall up, with a ceremony scheduled afterward. The exhibit will then be staffed 24-hours a day Nov. 4-7, 2021, for all who wish to visit the Vietnam memorial wall to remember and pay respect for those who served during the war. School and other groups will be welcome. Entry to the wall if free to the public “in honor of the more than 3 million Americans who served in the US Armed Forces in the Vietnam War.”
The Wall That Heals
The Wall That Heals is a program of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982. The Wall That Heals is the only traveling exhibit affiliated with The Wall in Washington, D.C. and includes the largest Wall replica that travels the country. Two VVMF staff members lead volunteers onsite, educate visitors to ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall That Heals, Newsom noted in the proclamation.
The three-quarter scale Wall replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors will experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C. Visitors will be able to do name rubbings of individual names from among those of the 58,279 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam and are listed on The Wall.
The mobile Education Center exhibit includes:
- Digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes” – service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of a visit;
- Digital photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died as a result of their service;
- Video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall;
- Educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at The Wall in D.C.;
- A replica of the In Memory plaque;
- A map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War.
The exhibits tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context.
The 2021 national The Wall That Heals tour is generously sponsored by USAA. Through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), the trucking industry, and Blue Beacon, the exhibit is able to travel across the country.
Since its debut in 1996, the exhibit has been on display in nearly 700 U.S. communities in addition to an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces of Ireland and a visit to Canada in 2005.
Two VVMF staff members lead volunteers on site, educate visitors and students, and ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall. More information can be found at: https://www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals/
THSCA Academic All-State Honors For Seven Wildcats Football Players
Seven Wildcats Football Players earned Academic All-State Honors according to a list compiled by the Texas High School Coaches Association. Senior safety Wiley Bennett, senior offensive lineman Alfredo Olavide and senior defensive lineman Koben Wyly made Second Team Academic All-State. Senior outside linebacker Landry Meskimen, senior running back Caden Davis, senior center Raydon McCormack and senior B-back Langston Bridges were all named Honorable Mention Academic All-State. Wildcats Head Football Coach Greg Owens announced the selections late Wednesday afternoon (December 9). He congratulated the football players on being selected for Academic All-State Football Honors. Coach Owens said this is a great accomplishment and well deserved for these guys. He noted that they took care of business on and off the field. Coach Owens said he was very proud of how they represented the Wildcats’ football program.
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.
Jordan Holland Works on a TIG Welding Project at Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Center
Jordan Holland of Birthright, a welding student at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center, works on a TIG welding project under the close observance of Welding Instructor John Plemons. Call 903-885-1232 for information about classes at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Welding Center.
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.
December 2020 Hopkins County Grand Jury Indictments
The Hopkins County Grand Jury during the December 2020 session signed 54 indictments, pushing those cases forward for prosecutions.
Approximately 75 percent of the cases were for controlled substance offenses, and the other 25 percent included stolen vehicle, evading arrest, theft, aggravated robbery, abandoning or endangering a child, money laundering and indecency with a child offenses.
Fourth-seven people are named in the indictments, including eight individuals who are accused of two offenses each. In some cases more than one person was alleged to have participated in an offense.
Christopher Lee Vail, 62, and Ricky Roger Rincon. 60, were both indicted for indecency with a child by sexual contact. Vail was also indicted on an indecency with a child-exposure.
Vail was arrested Sept. 24 on both charges. Sheriff’s investigators contacted the 62-year-old Sulphur Springs man regarding an investigation launched by the sheriff’s office into indecency with a child allegations against him. Due to information gleaned during an interview, arrest warrants were obtained and executed at the sheriff’s office, according to sheriff’s and arrest reports. Vail has remained in Hopkins County jail since Sept. 24 in lieu of a $75,000 bond on the indecency by sexual contact charge and $50,000 bond on the indecency by exposure charge, according to jail reports.
Rincon was arrested Oct. 5. A child reportedly made an outcry of indecency by sexual contact and authorities were contacted. The offense is alleged to have occurred in 2018. A forensic interview was scheduled for the child. An outcry was also made at that time. A warrant was obtained and the 60-year-old Cumby man was arrested, according to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigators. Rincon has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest. Bond was set at $50,000 on the indecency with a child by sexual contact charge, according to jail reports.
Janet Eliza Hurley and Gene Harold Thrash were both indicted on an abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence charge.
Thrash, 42, has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest Sept. 29 on on a warrant for the charge, bond was set at $25,000, according to arrest and jail reports.
Hurley, 46, was jailed Sept. 29 on the charge and released on Sept. 30, 2020 on a $25,000 bond, according to jail reports.
Zackery Austin Hill, 20, and Chanin Ardwon “Chico” Holiness, 18, were both indicted on an aggravated robbery charge. Hill was also indicted during the Dec. 4 session on a theft of a firearm charge.
The pair and another male were reportedly traveling in a vehicle to Arbala early Sept. 24. However, instead of going to the intended destination, Hill and Holiness allegedly stopped the vehicle around 3:20 a.m. on FM 2297. The male with them was then allegedly pistol-whipped across the head and robbed of cash he had with him to make a purchase in Arbala, according to sheriff’s reports released following the pair’s arrest on Sept. 24.
Hill was arrested on the firearm theft charge on Aug. 5 and released from jail on a $5,000 bond on Aug. 10. Hill and Holiness have remained in custody since their arrest on Sept. 24 on the aggravated robbery charge; bond was set at $75,000 each on the charge, according to jail reports.
Dion Mitchell McLendon, 56, of Round Rock and Andrea Bryon Corey Yates, 48, of Austin were both indicted during the December 2020 Hopkins County Grand Jury session on a charge of money laundering, $30,000 or more but less than $150,000.
Sheriff’s deputies reported stopping stopping them for a traffic violation on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 126 late Aug. 19 in a pickup. McLendon and Yates allegedly admitted to having a large amount of cash in the vehicle. A probable cause search after a canine alerted on the truck for narcotics resulted in recovery of approximately $109,000 in United States currency and a two small bags containing a substance that field-tested positive for cocaine, deputies alleged in the August arrest reports.
McLendon, who was noted to be known by the aliases Chad Hester and Deon McClain, and Yates were both booked into Hopkins County jail Aug. 20 and released Aug. 21 on a $25,000 bond on the money laundering charge and a $15,000 bond on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Fred Castlow Jr. was indicted on an evading arrest or detention in a vehicle charge and an unauthorized use of vehicle charge.
The 24-year-old was arrested early Sept. 22 on the charges after leading the deputy who tried to stop him for a traffic violation in a vehicle pursuit chase that reached speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour on State Highway 19 north into Sulphur Springs, then along Hillcrest Drive. Castlow allegedly turned on Main Street, heading toward Interstate 30 and US Highway 67. He reportedly failed to navigate the sharp corner off the I-30 overpass and crashed the SUV into a tree line south of the connector road. The SUV he was driving had been stolen from Bonham the evening before; he later admitted to stealing the SUV, sheriff’s deputies alleged in September arrest reports.
Castlow has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest Sept. 22 on both charges as well as five other warrants. Bond was set at $50,000 on the evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge and $25,000 on the unauthorized use of a vehicle charge, according to jail reports.
Jonathan Glenn Boughton was indicted in December 2020 for hindering apprehension or prosecution of a known felon.
According to arrest reports, the 39-year-old man answered the doors to Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit officers and claimed the wanted woman they were attempting to locate was not at home. They found her hiding in a bedroom closet, however, resulting in not only her arrest but in Boughton’s arrest on Sept. 30 on the hindering apprehension charge, the officers note din arrest reports.
Boughton has remained in the county jail since his arrest; bond was set at $10,000 on the hindering apprehension charge, according to jail reports.
Theresa Renee Coburn was indicted for theft of property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000. Coburn has remained in Hopkins County jail since her arrest Oct. 6; bond was set at $5,000 on the felony theft charge, according to jail reports.
Five additional individuals were indicted in December 2020 on two controlled substance charges each:
- Robert Neil Brown
- Possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Jackson Blaze Gilreath
- Manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Amanda Lena Villanueva
- Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Nicholas Hameed Sadeh
- Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Roy Lee Wilburn
- Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
- Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance
Keyra Leanne Hargett was indicted on Dec. 4 on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance with intent to distribute while Justin Scott Sewell was indicted on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance with intent to deliver charge.
Iindicted on one possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge each were Brian Scott Molina, Rodney S. Schneider and Ronnie L. Tucker Jr.
Veronica Bryant, Quintin Leon Robinson Jr., Todd Patrick Harrigan and Terryl Lane Webb Jr. were indicted Dec. 4 for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Among the individuals indicted on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge were Taylor Nicole Boyett, Valerie Nichole Covington, Melanie Mercedes Edwards, Lacey Nicole Golden, Amy Colleen Liggett and Jonathan Edward Watkins.
Kerry Lee Jones was indicted on a manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
CJ Blake Wadlow was indicted for possession of less than 20 AU of a Penalty Group 1-A controlled substance.
The individuals indicted during the December 2020 session on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance included:
- Claston Wayne Bearden
- Staci Lynn Burkham
- Carlotta Fiona Davis
- Miguel Angel Gomez-Gonzalez
- Robert Earl Hawkins Jr.
- Amanda Raedene Heath
- Carissa Ann Jenkins
- Devan Dale Munoz
- Ricky Ervin Neal Jr.
- Jessica Nicole Parker
- Mindy Lynne Robinson
- Larry Dwayne Testerman Jr.
- John Scott Thompson II
- Kenneth Paul Tolly Jr.
Texas Education Agency: No A-F Ratings, But STAAR Still On For 2020-21 School Year
STAAR Testing Will Proceed To Gauge What Students Have Learned, Impact Of Pandemic On Education
Texas Education Agency announced Dec. 10 that A-F ratings would be paused for 2020-21 school year due to the ongoing disruptions associated with COVID-19. Students will still have to take the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) exams, however.
According to TEA, 2020-21 STAAR testing will “provide critically important information about individual student learning that teachers and parents can use to help students grow.”
“The last nine months have been some of the most disruptive of our lives. The challenges have been especially pronounced for our parents, teachers, and students. We continue to prioritize the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff in our schools this year, while working to ensure students grow academically,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath was quoted in the press release.
According to TEA, in addition to providing a look at how individual students are performing, they will give “education leaders and policymakers across Texas a comprehensive picture of what are likely to be sweeping impacts of the pandemic on student learning.” That, says TEA, will help policymakers craft solutions for the years ahead. STAAR results just won’t be used for accountability purposes this school year.
“The issuance of A-F ratings for schools has proven to be a valuable tool to support continuous improvement for our students, allowing educators, parents, and the general public to better identify and expand efforts that are working for kids. But the pandemic has disrupted school operations in fundamental ways that have often been outside the control of our school leaders, making it far more difficult to use these ratings as a tool to support student academic growth. As a result, we will not issue A-F ratings this school year,” Morath said.
School systems are required to make STAAR available to every eligible student. The test will be administered on school campuses across the state or at other secure alternative testing site, according to TEA.
TEA will be providing flexibility to allow schools that incorporate STAAR results into teacher evaluations to remove that component this school year.
Tira Community Center Closed Due To COVID-19
North Hopkins FFA Help Spruce Up Community Center Flower Beds
By Jan Vaughn, Tira News correspondent
The Tira City Council meeting, which was scheduled for Sunday, December 6, 2020, was cancelled due to COVID-19 precautions. At this time, the Community Center is not open for gatherings until further notice.
Members of the North Hopkins FFA cleaned out the flower beds in front of the Tira Community Center. We want to express our appreciation to the students and their teachers.
Yvonne Weir shared that they enjoyed Thanksgiving with the doors and windows open. Dakota Weir, Sarah Theriault, Dustin, Natalie, and Everly Weir, and Mike, Dacy, Elise, and Eli Campbell were present. Destri Weir and her family were vacationing at South Padre Island.
Levi Shane Weir was born at 3:54 p.m. on November 30, 2020. He weighed 5 pounds 19 ounces and was 19 inches long. Proud parents are Dakota Weir and Sarah Theriault. Grandparents are Robert and Yvonne Weir and Laura and Marty Theriault.
Robert, Yvonne, and Wesley met Dustin and Everly in Greenville for lunch at TaMolly’s on Saturday, December 5, after shopping the Main Street Market. Afterward, they visited Dakota, Sarah, Levi, and Lucas in Lone Oak.
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].
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Stalking
Police arrested a 62-year-old Sulphur Springs man accused of stalking. Wednesday afternoon was the second time in less than a week and fifth time this year Rocky Allen Wilson has been booked into Hopkins County jail on warrants for or related to two harassment charges. Wilson is registered on the Texas State Public Sex Offender Website.
Sulphur Springs Police Department Special Crimes Unit Sgt. Joe Scott was contacted in regard to Rocky Allen Wilson, who was wanted for stalking. Scott, assisted by SSPD Officer Tyler Francis, served Wilson with the warrant at his Hillcrest Drive residence and took him into custody at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 2020.
Jail records show Wilson was first jailed in Hopkins County for harassment in 2014. While in local custody from Sept. 24, 2014 to Dec. 18, 2014, for violation of parole on a sexual assault charge, he was served with a warrant for harassment.
Wilson was returned to Hopkins County jail on June 12, 2020, on warrant for a harassment with previous conviction charge.
At 3 a.m. Nov. 5, he turned himself in at the sheriff’s office on a warrant for insufficient bond on the June 2020 harassment with previous conviction charge.
On Nov. 28 and Nov. 28, Wilson spent the night in Hopkins County jail for insufficient bond on the June 2020 harassment charge.
Wilson was also booked into Hopkins County jail on Dec. 4 on a warrant for another harassment with previous conviction charge as well as a warrant for violation of probation on the June harassment with previous conviction charge.
Wilson remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Dec. 10 on the stalking charge. His bond was set at $750,000.
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.
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.
