Miller Grove ISD Ending Remote Learning
Miller Grove ISD will soon be joining the growing number of school districts that are ending remote learning, according to a press release from MGISD school administrators.
The MGISD board voted Oct. 20 to rescind remote learning for all students. That means beginning Nov. 3 all Miller Grove ISD students will be required to return to their designated campus for in-person, on-campus instruction, the district noted in a release.
The only exceptions will be for a student who is the subject of a quarantine order issued by a governmental entity or on the recommendation of a healthcare provider due to COVID-19 or other health concerns and, on case-by-case basis, for any student whose ARD or Section 504 committee determines that remote learning will provide the student with a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment as required by federal law.
Health and safety protocols outlined in the school district’s back-to-school plan that was implemented as the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year will still be followed to ensure that all campuses remain as healthy as possible, according to the school release.
Questions related to the transitioning from remote to all on-campus learning may be directed to the superintendent’s office at 903-459-3288.
TAMUC Planetarium Reopening After Renovations
Commerce, Texas — The Planetarium at Texas A&M University-Commerce has been renovated and is reopening with new seats and a few new requirements. Reservations for TAMUC Planetarium are now available for shows beginning Nov. 13 running through Dec. 18. Seating is limited.
The featured presentation at the planetarium will be “Mystery of the Christmas Star.” Back-to-back presentations are scheduled at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. The show consists of a night sky presentation, the full-dome feature and an animated Christmas song.
Health and safety guidelines implemented due to COVID-19 include:
- All visitors will require a reservation by calling call the office at 903.468.8650. Reservations must be made by speaking with Planetarium staff. If unable to reach a staff member, leave a name and a callback number. Reservations over email or voice message are not being accepted. However, a callback can be requested by emailing [email protected] with the party’s name and number.
- Walk-ins will not be accepted.
- Each family will be assigned seating to ensure social distancing.
- Masks will be required for all guests regardless of age. If a guest is unable to wear a mask, they will not be permitted in the building.
- A contactless forehead scan will be made to ensure each guest is free of fever.
- The Planetarium has added additional ventilation. Units with HEPA filters have been added to the interior of the Planetarium.
- Guests will not be permitted into the dome until COVID-19 disinfection has been completed.
- One person per family group may enter the ticket office to purchase tickets and check in for the reservations.
- Contact tracing will be enforced for COVID-19 purposes only.
Tickets are $5 per person, payable at the facility. Reservations for the TAMUC Planetarium can be made by calling 903.468.8650.
(TAMUC images)
The Planetarium is offering private reservations outside of the regular Friday night public shows. A private show consists of a night sky presentation and any show from the show catalogue. To reserve a private group, contact the office at 903.468.8650 or email [email protected]. The cost of a single private show is $5 per person for groups of 10 or more and $50 for groups fewer than 10.
All visitors are required to wear a mask while in the building. Members of a private group that are not considered family will not be permitted to sit together, which will affect the maximum number of guests in the Planetarium. The times for a private showing are dependent on scheduling options. Contact the office for more information.
The planetarium is located in the McFarland Science Building of the A&M-Commerce campus, located at 2201 West Neal Street in Commerce.
A free parking pass application must be completed for all vehicles for visits other than Friday night public shows.
Due to construction in front of the science building, parking lots 16, 18, and 19.
Learn more about the A&M-Commerce Planetarium.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Has First Official Practice Thursday
The Lady Cats Basketball Team will have their first official practice on Thursday (October 22). They will doing so without third year Lady Cats Head Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell who is on maternity leave. Coach Tisdell gave birth to a baby girl to go along with with her young son. She is expected to return to the gym next Wednesday. At the start, Lady Cats Assistant Coach Bryan Jones will be running practices with the help of new Lady Cats Assistant Coach Timothy Aguillon. Coach Jones says he is more than ready for the first official practice to get underway. He says returning for the Lady Cats will be their point guard from last season, sophomore Kenzie Willis. Coach Jones says Willis is not playing volleyball this season to concentrate on basketball. Also returning is senior Delanee Myles, who played several varsity games last season and who was on the playoff roster. Three Lady Cats’ players are currently involved in varsity volleyball: Addisyn Wall, Nylah Lindley and Bre-Asia Ivery. Coach Jones says there are also some members of last year’s JV team. Coach Jones says there is a good opportunity for some youngsters to make the varsity squad. He says they don’t just want a varsity jersey but rather they want to be a part of the team and help make a difference. The Thursday practice will be an opportunity for older players to get together than some freshmen players. Practice is expected to include some team bonding with pizza according to Coach Jones.
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.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens Discusses New Zone Competition Concept in District
With Covid-19 issues in football District 8-5A, the district’s coaches have adopted a plan to sort things out and determine the district’s four playoff teams. The plan, according to Wildcats Football Greg Owens, was developed by Greenville Coach Darren Duke. It calls for the eight district teams to be split into two zones. Zone A includes Crandall, Ennis, Forney and Royse City and Zone B is comprised of Corsicana, Greenville, North Forney and Sulphur Springs. Two district games have already been played and two more will be played Friday, but all district teams will start 0-0 as playoff determining zone play begins next week. Zone play will take place over three straight weeks beginning Friday, October 30. The Wildcats will now face North Forney at Gerald Prim Stadium on October 30. Corsicana will then come to The Prim on November 6. The Wildcats then travel to Greenville’s Cotton Ford Stadium on November 13. The following Friday night, on November 20, will feature playoff seeding games. The #1 zone finishers will meet to determine the district’s #1 and #2 playoff seed. The #2 zone teams will play to figure out the district’s #3 and #4 playoff seeds. The #3 zone finishers and #4 zone teams will also play each other. Coach Owens indicates he will also schedule an additional game after the bye week on December 4. Wildcats sub-varsity teams will play the same schools the Wildcats varsity faces during zone play and the seeding game. Coach Owens feels his Zone B may be a little more competitive than Zone A but he says he still likes his chances in Zone B. Coach Owens is also excited about the prospect of getting his varsity players back. Their quarantine ends Friday and they will be back at practice Friday and Saturday. He hopes next week is a normal week of preparation for the North Forney game.
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.
Producer/Members of the NETBIO Sold 3,836 Head of Pre-Conditioned Cattle at the October Sale
Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission
NETBIO Public Information Services
903-951-7594
Producer/members of the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) sold 3,836 head of pre-conditioned cattle at the October sale held Wednesday at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission.
A total of 145 producers had cattle selling in the sale, and despite a softer market the cattle sold pretty good, according to Livestock Market co-owner David Fowler. “The market is soft everywhere, but buying was active — even on the Internet,” he said.
Thirty-two buyers purchased cattle at an average of $708.77 per head.
“We had a lot of good cattle consigned to the sale,” Fowler said. “Our producers continue to do a great job of pre-conditioning their cattle for this sale.”
The next sale will be held on Wednesday, November 18, which will mark the beginning of the 22nd year of NETBIO. Come early and enjoy a barbeque lunch before the sale.
The consignment book has closed on the November sale, but NETBIO officials have added a special sale to be held on December 16 that is open now to receive consignments. All of the NETBIO sales begin at 1 p.m.
Producers are reminded that starting in January 2021, NETBIO sales will be held on Fridays instead of Wednesdays, and calves will be required to be weaned 60 days instead of 45 days.
The first sale of 2021 will be on Friday, January 15. The last weaning date for calves entering that sale will be Nov. 15, and be boosted by Dec. 15.
The NETBIO Pre-Conditioned Stocker and Feeder Calf Sale gives producers a marketplace to offer their pre-conditioned calves and yearlings in load lot quantities. NETBIO holds eight pre-conditioned cattle sales per year.
Tira News: Residents Express Appreciation For Weather, Family Visits
By JAN VAUGHN
Sheila Boyd reports, “We are so thankful to have had a chance to visit our friends, the Stahl’s, in New Mexico this past week. The weather was wonderful. Michael woke up to 26 degrees on morning and was found on the porch barefooted looking at elk. We are so blessed to have them as our friends. The time spent was so needed and refreshing. Times like these remind us of the wonderful gifts we are given … family, friends, the freedom to worship and serve others and the sacrifices that are given on our behalf. Keep looking up to where your help comes from, neighbors.”
Yvonne Weir shared, “Dustin and Natalie and Everly spent the weekend with us. We went to the flea market in the Cooper park. We’ve been enjoying the cool weather.”
Linda Ellen Vaughn of Dallas spent the weekend with us, and helped Chip with trimming trees and burning limbs. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. Charlie Vaughn, Chip’s brother, came by for a while on Saturday. Our grandson, Morgan Joslin, stopped by and spent the night with us on Wednesday night, while on his way from Tulsa to a fly-in in Reklaw. It was nice to get to visit with him. He doesn’t make it in very often.
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]
Wood County Sheriff’s Report Oct. 14-20, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Oct. 14-20, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 2
- Alarm: 7
- Animal Complaint: 9
- Arrest/Warrant: 9
- Assault: 1
- Burglary: 3
- Criminal Mischief: 5
- Criminal Trespass: 1
- Disturbances/Disputes: 13
- Found Property: 1
- Fraud: 4
- Funeral Escort: 1
- Harassment: 1
- Livestock at Large: 8
- Lost Property: 2
- Motorist Assist: 1
- Noise Complaint: 4
- Public Assist: 1
- Reckless Driver: 3
- Shots Fired: 2
- Suspicious Activity: 29
- Theft: 15
- Traffic Hazard: 4
- Welfare Check: 12
Sheriff’s Office Investigating Vandalism At A Local Cemetery
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating vandalism at a local cemetery.
On Wednesday Oct. 21, 2020, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to a call of vandalism at the Aiguire Cemetery. A large number of headstones had been knocked over, and several of those were broken. A report was taken and this case is currently being investigated, according to a press release from Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Lake Country Crime Stoppers at 903-885-2020. Crime Stoppers offers up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest/conviction of any felony crime in Hopkins County. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office also requests that information, after contacting Crime Stoppers, be forwarded to Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford at 903-438-4040, according to the press release.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum reported trusties from the county jail Thursday morning were working at the cemetery up-righting stones, clearing debris and restoring order in the cemetery as much as possible.
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.
Cumby Woman Jailed For Second Time This Month
Sulphur Springs Man Arrested 13 Days After Release From Jail
Two people were arrested this week on felony warrants, including a Cumby woman jailed for the second time this month and a Sulphur Springs man arrested 13 days after his release from jail, according to arrest reports.
Cumby Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers notified Cumby Police Officer A. Gonzalez by phone just before 6:20 p.m. Oct. 21, 2020 that a 22-year-old Cumby woman was wanted, and provided her address and place of work.
The Cumby officer went to the Main Street business, where she worked and heard an employee call out for Mackenzie, and saw a woman answer. After she confirmed she is indeed Mackenzie Fyke, whose date of birth matched the information for the wanted woman, Gonzalez took Fyke into custody.
Mackenzie Laine Fyke was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:35 p.m. Oct. 21 on a warrant for violation of probation on an abandoning or endangering a child charge.
She was initially arrested Oct. 2, 2018, on an warrant for abandoning or endangering a child, according to jail reports. She was also arrested July 29, 2019 and spent until Sept. 10, 2019 in the county jail for violation of probation on the charge.
Oct. 21 marked the second time this month the Cumby woman has been booked into the county jail this month. She was also arrested on Oct. 6 and remained in the county jail until her released on Oct. 9 on a $25,000 bond on a hindering apprehension or prosecution of a known felon.
Arrest in JP Court
Hopkins County Precinct 2 Constable Bill Allan took 36-year-old Jonathon Ryan Swindell into custody at 9:50 a.m. Oct. 19, 2020 in the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Court on a warrant for defective bond on an online solicitation of a minor. He remained in the county jail Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, according to jail reports.
Swindell has been jailed three times in the last four months. He was arrested and released later July 25, 2020 for possession of drug paraphernalia and driving while license suspended.
The 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man also was arrested Sept. 24, 2020 at a Saltillo address on Sept. 24 on a warrant for the alleged online solicitation of a minor charge; deputies allegedly found methamphetamine at the time of his arrest, resulting in an additional possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, according to jail and arrest reports. He was released from Hopkins County jail Oct. 6, 2020 on a $50,000 bond on online solicitation charge and $25,000 bond on the controlled substance charge.
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.
3 Arrested On Controlled Substance Charges
At least 3 people have been arrested on controlled substance and marijuana charges this week, according to arrest reports.
County Road 2415 Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford and Deputy Zack Horne received information Garrett Chase Spigner had an active warrant. The officers went to a County Road 2415 residence associated with the man on Oct. 21, 2020. Horne reported seeing him walking across the yard. They reported approaching the 35-year-old Pickton man and advising him of the felony warrant.
Prior to placing Spigner into handcuffs, Horne alleged seeing the Pickton resident place items into his right front pocket. When asked about the items, Spigner allegedly removed a red lighter and small Visine bottle containing a brown liquid. Spigner was transported to Hopkins County jail for insufficient bond on an assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing or circulation charge.
Upon arrival at the jail, deputies field-tested the brown liquid inside the Visine bottle. The result was a positive reaction for methamphetamine. An additional charge of possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance for Spigner was applied.
Spigner was originally arrested on June 23, 2020, on a warrant for the alleged assault impeding breathing charge. He remained Hopkins County jail on that warrant until June 28 on the charge.
Spigner also spent the night in jail Feb. 9, 2020 on a displaying fictitious, altered or obscured license plate or registration charge.
The 35-year-old Pickton man remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Oct. 22, 2020, on both charge.
State Highway 19 South Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Aaron Chaney reported stopping a 1999 Ford Ranger at 12:06 a.m. Oct. 20 on State Highway 19 south at County Road 1174 for a defective license plate light. Sgt. Scott Davis arrived to assist.
When asked if he had ever been arrested, a 25-year-old Marrero, Louisiana man in the truck admitted he was out of jail on bond on a possession of controlled substance charge. When asked if he had any illegal narcotics in the pickup, Jourdan Taylor Sisk alleged admitted he had some marijuana in his sweatshirt pocket. Sisk reportedly complied with deputies’ request to exit the vehicle and remove the marijuana from his pocket.
A probable cause search of the truck yielded additional drug paraphernalia, including a burned glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine and a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke marijuana, as well as a small bag containing a white, powder-like substance which Sisk allegedly admitted was cocaine.
Sisk was arrested and the truck was released to “a responsible party” at Sisk’s request. The suspected cocaine, including packaging weighed 0.3 gram, resulting in Sisk being booked into Hopkins County jail at 2 a.m. Oct. 20 for for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
According to jail reports Wednesday was not the first time Sisk has been booked into Hopkins County jail. He was arrested Feb. 9, 2014 for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sisk remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Oct. 22. Bond on the felony controlled substance charge was set at $10,000.
State Highway 11 Arrest
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Britain Marlow reported stopping a Ford F150 pickup at around 1:20 p.m. Oct. 19 on State Highway 11 for speeding.
Upon contacted with the occupant, Marlow alleged smelling a marijuana odor and conducting a probable cause search of the truck. The highway patrol trooper allegedly found a Mason jar containing marijuana in the passenger’s side floorboard and a cigar package containing Psilocybin mushrooms in a cigar pack. Consequently, Adam Jon Welborn was arrested.
The marijuana weighed 0.95 ounce and the mushrooms weighed 8 grams, resulting in the 22-year-old Leesburg man being charged on controlled substance and marijuana charges.
Welborn remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Oct. 22, in lieu of $20,000 bond on the possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge and $1,000 bond on the possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge.
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.
