2 Arrested, 3 Sentenced In District Court Thursday
At least two people were arrested and three sentenced in district court Thursday afternoon, according to arrest, jail and court reports.
Bond Revocation
A 28-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed after having his bond revoked on controlled substance charges.
Donald Merced Ramirez was scheduled to appear Sept. 10 before 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt Sept. 10 for arraignment on a Nov. 24, 2019 possession of less than 1 gram of a controlled substance charge and a pretrial hearing for a Feb. 16, 2019 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. He was on bond for both charges.
Ramirez was taken into custody in the 8th Judicial District Court at 4:16 p.m. Sept. 10 by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies M. Poindexter and Kevin Lester for bond revocation on both charges, according to arrest reports. Ramirez remained in Hopkins County Friday, Sept. 11, according to jail reports.
Warrant Arrest
Brandi Christine Potts, 34, of Yantis was scheduled for arraignment Sept. 10 in the 8th Judicial District Court on an April 2, 2019 abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence charge. She was previously spent Feb. 24-28 on a warrant for the charge, according to jail reports.
Upon her appearance, Potts was informed that her bondsman had gone off the bond and a warrant had been issued for her arrest. Potts was taken into custody and jailed for surety off bond on the charge. She was released on a personal recognizance bond on the abandoning or endangering of a child– criminal negligence charge later Thursday, Sept. 10, according to court and jail reports.
Sentenced On Controlled Substance Charge
Rosemary Boone Springer, 64, of Sulphur Springs was scheduled Thursday for a pretrial hearing on an Aug. 13, 2019 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and an Oct. 6, 2019 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
Springer, as part of an agreement, pled guilty on one controlled substance charge and acknowledged guilt on another. She was sentenced to 3 years of deferred adjudication to be served on probation on the first case. The second case was dismissed.
The court waived court fees, attorney fees and community service hours. She will be required to pay a fine and restitution. Those fees are to be paid back over the three years of the deferred sentence, she will serve on probation.
Springer, who has been in custody since bond was revoked on both controlled substance charges on Aug. 19, was released from jail Thursday, according to court and jail reports.
Sentenced On Family Violence Assault Charge
Troy Tenell Ross, 47, of Texarkana, Arkansas pled guilty Thursday to assault of a family or household member with previous conviction. As part of a plea agreement, Ross was sentenced to 10 years deferred adjudication, and 180 days in jail and will be required to participate in a Battering Intervention and Prevention Program.
Ross was arrested March 30 for the alleged assault of his wife in a Gilmer Street car wash parking lot. He was released from Hopkins County jail on a $25,000 bond on April 16, then jailed again on April 22 for violation of terms of bond/protective order and insufficient bond. He has remained in the county jail since April 16. He will be given credit for the time service in the county jail. He is to remain in custody until Oct. 1, when he will have completed the terms of his jail sentence, and be released to community supervision.
Sentenced On Attempted Forgery Charge
Nathan Daniel Cain, 36, of Athens pled guilty Thursday to attempted forgery of money. The charge was prosecuted as an attempted forgery of money and treated like a Class A misdemeanor for punishment.
As part of a plea agreement, Cain was sentenced Sept. 10 to 216 days of confinement in a state jail, as well as court, attorney and reimbursement fees. He was credited with serving that time from Feb. 8, when he was arrested for trying to pass counterfeit money at a West Industrial Drive tire shop in Sulphur Springs through Sept. 10 in Hopkins County jail.
Cain was not released from custody Thursday, however, as he also faces punishment in Texas Department of Criminal Justice on Henderson charges. According to jail reports, he was also held in Hopkins County jail on a Henderson County forgery warrant and a Henderson County aggravated robbery 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.
Wildcats’ Defensive Front Features Lots of Experience in 2020
The Wildcats’ defensive linemen are being coached this season by veteran coach Jason Meskimen. After several seasons of coaching Wildcats’ freshmen, Coach Meskimen was promoted to the Varsity staff during the off season. Meskimen, whose coaching resume spans 25 years, says the 2020 Wildcats D linemen are an experienced bunch. Out of 8 or 9 players, six are seniors. Senior defensive tackle D’Andre Peoples and senior nose guard Alex Rodriguez were starters last year and defensive tackles junior Bryton Ruhter and senior Koben Wyly and senior nose guard Kohlson Ivey also earned lots of playing time. Last year’s starting center senior Steven Jonaitis has moved to the nose guard position. Sophomore Nick Cantillo, perhaps the largest of the Wildcats in the defensive line, is also playing both guard and tackle spots. Coach Meskimen says there is a lot of competition for playing time among the group. He says he likes coaching the defensive lineman. He was a defensive linemen himself in his playing days. He says he has focused on having players learn both guard and tackle responsibilities to increase depth and flexibility and hopefully to keep players fresher. Coach Meskimen says there is no substitute for experience and he says his seniors are providing leadership for younger players on and off the field. Coach Meskimen says the defensive line is perhaps a bit undersized but he says he expects them to make up for that with their speed. Plus he says their technique and discipline have gotten a lot better and he adds they have good work ethic.
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.
Sports Odds and Ends
The Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Teams and the Wildcats Team Tennis Squad are on the schedule on this game day Friday (September 11).
The Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Teams are running in their first meet of the season at Hallsville. This is the first of five pre-district meets for Coach Ross Hicks’ teams.
Meanwhile the Wildcats co-ed Team Tennis squad has a non-district match at Greenville at 4:30 p.m. on this game day Friday. It will be the first competition for the Wildcats. Earlier this week, the Wildcats got a forfeit district win against Mount Pleasant. The Tigers are having a hard time getting a team together again this season. The Wildcats enter play against the Lions today with a 1-0 record.
Saturday (September 12) will be a busy day for both the Wildcats Football Team and the Lady Cats Volleyball Team.
The Wildcats will have a morning intrasquad scrimmage and then will have Picture Day later Saturday.
Also on Saturday, the Lady Cats Volleyball Team will be hosting a scrimmage with Greenville, Princeton and Forney. Games will take place in the High School Main Gym and Auxiliary Gym and the Middle School Main Gym. The Lady Cats Varsity will have four scrimmage games, all in the SSHS Main Gym. All varsity games will last 45 minutes with a running clock. The Lady Cats play Princeton at 9 a.m., Greenville at 11 a.m., Forney at 1 p.m. and Greenville again at 2 p.m.
In Hopkins County football Thursday (September 10), the Cumby Trojans lost their delayed season opener to Santo at Rio Vista, 27-12 The Trojans, under Head Coach Charles Boles, are 0-1 for the season.
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.
Local Emergency Responders Hold 9/11 Tribute
Approximately 60 law enforcement officials, firefighters and fire academy recruits, and emergency services personnel were joined by a number of community members at Hopkins County Fire Department’s Station 20 Friday morning at Hopkins County’ third annual 9/11 tribute, held to remember all who died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
All law enforcement and emergency responders lined one side of the drive in front of the station. Fire in Texas academy recruits line the other side. Emergency personnel also lined the sidewalk around the flag poles. Sulphur Springs Fire Department raise the ladder on their tour truck to fly an US flag from it.
The collaborative effort, coordinated by Rodney Caudle, included bagpipe music.
The Way Bible Church Pastor Joel Tiemeyer offered prayer for healing for the state and nation, thanks for all who have given their lives to keep others safe and acknowledgement of the sacrifice made 19 years ago.
The Texas and US flags were raised, the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag recited.
The Fire In Texas academy recruits joined others across the country and state who have lowered the US and state flag to half-staff on Sept. 11, designated Patriots Day, to honor those killed in the 9/11 attacks, including first responders who entered the Twin Towers after the planes crashed, those who responded at Ground Zero and elsewhere to try to help, knowing the risk.
As is tradition for fire and law enforcement, a radio announcement was made. The bell on the county’s fire engine rang, three sets of five, an indication that a firefighter has not returned home. This honors the courage, commitment and sacrifice of the 412 emergency responders, including 343 New York City firefighters, 16 police officers, 8 emergency medical technicians with private EMS services and 1 fire patrol personnel who did not make it home to their families on Sept. 11, 2001, but instead paid the ultimate sacrifice giving their lives in the line of duty.
Tiemeyer closed the tribute offering thanks to and prayer for the safety of the many first responders who put their lives on the line daily answering the call to serve their community.
17 New, 71 Active COVID-19 Cases Reported Sept. 10 In Hopkins County
The number of new COVID-19 cases reported for Hopkins County in September nearly doubled Sept. 10. Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported 17 new positive COVID-19 cases had been confirmed on Sept. 10, increasing the number of active cases in Hopkins County from 54 to 71.
No recoveries were reported on Thursday. That’s only 11 recoveries so far in September – 6 on Sept. 1 and 5 on Sept. 8. Of the cumulative 278 Hopkins County residents who’ve had COVID-19 since March, 207 have recovered from the virus.
Four patients were reported to be in the COVID unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Sept. 10, the same as on Sept. 2, Sept. 7 and Sept. 8. That’s down from five patients on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Since there were no new COVID-19 deaths assigned to Hopkins County on Sept. 10 by Texas Department of State Health Services, the total of Hopkins County residents who have died as a result of COVID-19 remains 8.
Texas Health and Human Services reported there continued to be two active cases among Carriage House Manor employees on Aug. 27. No COVID-19 cases had been reported among Sulphur Springs nursing home residents from March through Aug. 27, according to the Sept. 10 THHS nursing homes report.
THHS on Sept. 10 also reported no active COVID-19 cases among either residents or employees at Sulphur Springs assisted living facilities on Aug. 27.
There were no active COVID-19 cases reported at any Hopkins County child care centers on Sept. 9, according to the THHS child care centers report.
Wildcats Offensive Line Coach Sees His O Line Taking Shape
For the past nine seasons, Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens has depended on Assistant Coach Jeremy Offutt to mold the Wildcats offensive line. Coach Offutt calls this year’s varsity group an interesting mix. He currently plans to start three veteran seniors and two intriguing sophomores on the varsity O Line. Coach Offutt currently has eight offensive linemen including three tackles, three guards and two centers. Three of the eight are sophomores. The veterans include Raydon McCormack, Alfredo Olavide and Somjai Pryor. Coach Offutt says McCormack played a lot last year at guard. He now is the starting center. Coach Offutt says McCormack is doing a great job and is showing a lot of improvement. Olavide is in his third year as a varsity offensive lineman. Coach Offutt says Fredo, the right guard, has lost quite a bit of weight and is now quicker. He says Pryor is a darn good left tackle who is quick. Sophomore starters are Shawn Dial and Dalton Givens. Dial, the right tackle, played on the freshman team last year. Coach Offutt says Dial has worked hard and is getting quicker and stronger. Coach Offutt says Givens, at left guard, is massive, likes football and has what he calls heavy hands. Coach Offutt says during demonstrations when he makes contact with Givens and his hands, it hurts. The coach says that rarely happens to him. He says Givens has a chance to be special. Coach Offutt says his swing tackle is Nick Cantillo, who may spend most of his time playing defense. He says Cantillo really likes to get after it. Coach Offutt says the OL is shaping up. He says they have to stay healthy and continue to get better and he adds they have the proper mentality to do that.
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 Man Arrested On Arkansas Warrant
for John Marshall Fuller
A 57-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested on an Arkansas warrant Wednesday morning.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Alvin Jordan served John Marshall Fuller at 11:15 a.m. Sept. 9, at his Sulphur Springs residence with the Bentonville, Arkansas warrant. Fuller remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Sept. 10, on the theft of property charge, 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.
On 9/11, a Patriots Day Observance
A 9/11 observance will be conducted at Hopkins County Fire Station on Texas Street starting at 9 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2020. The event is a collaborative effort of Hopkins County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office, the Fire Academy, Sulphur Springs Police and Fire Departments, Hopkins County EMS and possibly other available volunteer firefighters. Fire Academy Cadets will lower the flag to half staff. Community members are welcome to attend; please park along Texas Street. COVID-19 safety protocols as recommended by the Governor are suggested.
23-Year-Old Accused In Wood County Murder Case
A 23-year-old was arrested Sept. 9, in Mineola, in connection with a Wood County murder reported to have occurred over the Labor Day weekend, according to a press release from Wood County Sheriff Tom Castloo.
On Wednesday, Sept. 9, Wood County Sheriff’s Office Investigators and Mineola Police Department executed an arrest warrant on Timell Tiquan Jones at an address on Stone Street in Mineola, TX.
Jones was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Wood County Detention Facility, where he was booked on the warrant in connection with the murder of 20-year-old Dustin James Thomas.
Jones remained in custody in Wood County Thursday morning, Sept. 10. His bond was set at $1 million bond on the Wood County murder charge.
The homicide was believed to have occurred on County Road 2800 in Wood County in the late evening of Sept. 6 or early morning of Sept. 7. No additional details had been released Thursday morning regarding the murder case.
Whitewright Man Jailed For Violating Probation
A 20-year-old Whitewright man was jailed for violating probation, which he was on for a controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office officials were alerted that Benjamin James Cowling was in custody at the adult probation office in Sulphur Springs for violating probation on a 2019 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. Deputy Zack Horne responded at 11:15 a.m. Sept. 9, and transported Cowling to jail. He remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Sept. 10, 2020, on the charge.
Cowling was arrested twice in 2019 for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
He was among five people arrested May 20, 2019, after suspected methamphetamine, Ecstasy pills, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found during a State Highway 11 traffic stop, deputies alleged in the 2019 arrest report. Cowling was reportedly driving the car at the time of the stop.
The 20-year-old Whitewright man was also arrested on one controlled substance charge on Sept. 21, 2019.
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.
