Newsom, Other County Officials From Across Texas ‘Focus On the Future’ At 2019 TAC Conference
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom was among more than 700 county officials, county staff and legislators from across the state attending the Sept. 4-6 for the Texas Association of Counties 2019 Legislative Conference in Austin.
The three-day event was a chance to discuss new legislation that affects counties and local taxpayers following the 86th legislative session.
“As a result of the last legislative session, Texas counties are facing some interesting new challenges,” said TAC Executive Director Susan M. Redford. “The Legislative Conference offered opportunities for county and state officials to share solutions to these challenges. As always, county leaders are committed to service and focused on the future.”
Topics of interest to counties and county operations at the conference included:
- Texas court structure: Members at all levels of the state’s judiciary, heavily funded and supported by counties, collaborated to create new policy.
- Disaster response: Texas General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush shared how local communities will be better equipped with new procedures to handle major events in the post Hurricane Harvey era.
- Federal policy: County officials and state lawmakers discussed a wide range of federal policies affecting Texas counties, including those targeting infrastructure, disaster mitigation and recovery and county jail inmate health care.
- Voting in Texas: Officials discussed new voting requirements and how local governments will protect the integrity of elections.
- Transparency in setting tax rates: Taxing entities have new reporting and public notice requirements.
Keynote speaker Evan Smith, CEO and co-founder of The Texas Tribune, moderated a panel of legislators discussing, among other topics, health care and infrastructure. Panelists were Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas; Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo; Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin; and Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches.
Several county officials, legislators, professionals and state agency staff led discussions in various breakout sessions. Those presenters included Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar; Director, Texas Tech Mental Health Institute Keino McWhinney; Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt; Barbara Hervey, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals; Brazos County Justice of the Peace Rick Hill; Cass County Judge Becky Wilbanks; Administrative Director, Office of Court Administration David Slayton; Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; Rep. Geanie Morrison, R-Victoria; Cooke County Judge Jason Brinkley; Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins; National Association of Counties CEO and Executive Director Matt Chase; Chambers County Clerk Heather Hawthorne; Staff Attorney of Elections Division, Secretary of State, Christina Adkins; Williamson County Elections Administrator Chris Davis; Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht; Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston; Brazoria County Tax Assessor-Collector Ro’Vin Garrett; Travis County Chief Appraiser Marya Crigler; Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont; Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick; Texas State Demographer Dr. Lloyd Potter; Robert T. Bass, attorney; Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales; DeWitt County Judge Daryl Fowler; Polk County Judge Sydney Murphy; and Pecos County Judge Joe Schuster.
TAC unites, supports and provides services to Texas counties so they can more effectively serve their local communities.
Lovejoy Football Coach Todd Ford Looking For Better Play From His Leopards Against The Wildcats Friday Night
By Don Julian, KSST Sports Director
The Wildcats Football Team plays the Lovejoy Leopards in Lucas Friday night, Sept. 6. The Leopards are coached by Todd Ford, who back in the 1990s led the Texas Longhorns to victory in a bowl game as their quarterback.
The Leopards are 0-1 this young season just like the Wildcats. Lovejoy lost a close one, 13-10 to Colleyville Heritage Saturday night in the Tom Landry Classic in Allen.
Concerning the opening loss, Coach Ford said he is proud of the way his players have responded this week after the opening week loss. He said they played with effort and played hard. But he said he did not think the Leopards played smart. He said he would have liked to say they protected the ball, tackled well, did not have a lot of penalties and just overall played a clean game, but he said that did not happen.
Coach Ford gave two possible reasons and they will sound familiar to Wildcats fans. Number one, it was the first game of the season, and number two, many of the young Leopards players were experiencing Friday Night Lights for the first time ever.
Coach Ford said it is his job as the leader to push the envelope and get the Leopards to improve, sooner rather than later. Just like the Wildcats, after a second non-district game Friday night, Lovejoy will begin district play the following Friday. Lovejoy is in a nine-team district that includes highly touted Frisco Reedy.
On offense the Leopards have a quarterback who can really run. But, Coach Ford said R.W. Rucker can also throw the ball very well. Rucker’s favorite receiver is Reid Westervelt.
Austin King is a powerful running back. The Leopards’ offensive and defensive lines are also large. Perhaps one of their best is Tyler Beidelman, a 295-pounder who plays both offensive tackle and defensive tackle. Running back King is also a middle linebacker for the Leopards on defense. Leopards’ defensive leaders, according to Coach Ford, include the aforementioned Beidelman and King, as well as free safety Quinn McDermott.
Coach Ford mentioned several Wildcats who have impressed him on tape this week. Included were quarterback Kaden Wallace, running backs Da’Korian “Chock” Sims and Caden Davis, defensive end Cameron Kaufert and outside linebacker Kylan Wade.
Two teams hoping to get better sooner than later will be meeting Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Leopard Stadium on the Lovejoy High School Campus in Lucas.
PJC Associate Degree Nursing Students Receive Awards, Pins
Attendees at the Paris Junior College associate degree nursing awards and pinning ceremony held recently were welcomed to the ceremony with the news that it has been 50 years since the first group of nursing students graduated from PJC.
The Clinical Achievement Award, chosen by the faculty for the student who is willing to help their peers, has an excellent bedside manner and is very good in skills performance, was presented to Amy Watson.
The Academic Achievement Award for highest grade point average in all classes throughout the program went to Sabrina Wilson.
Sandra Dougherty (pictured below) was selected by her peers for the Student Choice Award as the student who best exemplifies the nursing profession.
Associate degree perfect attendance awards went to Randa Dennis, Mauricio Gamez, Krista Hallenberger, Monica Hawthorne, Mikaela Jacks, Allyson Norris, Vianna Ross, Holli-Von Sawyer, Cassi Snell, and Sabrina Wilson.
Area students receiving pins at the ceremony included:
Campbell: Sarah Kreft
Commerce: Melissa Cawthron
Cumby: Sandra Dougherty
Greenville: Carla Ingram, Megan Kaufman, Rosanna Marquez, Christina McDonald, Allyson Norris, Brandy Petrea, Gregory Stroder, Lynn Tran, Crissty Williams
Ladonia: Haley Lawhon
Point: Amber Hampton
Royse City: Krista Hallenberger
Saltillo: Yesenia Ochoa
Sulphur Springs: Allison Bledsoe, Jose Franco Jr., Mauricio Gamez, Mikaela Jacks, Megan Jones, Rachel Killgore, Mollye Lay, Lorie Martin, Darlynn Montgomery, Holli-Von Sawyer
Wolfe City: Sarah Brummett, Olivia Mexia
Hopkins County Republican Club Will Hold an Old Time Political Rally September 14th
Hopkins County Republican Club
Hopkins County Civic Center September 14, 2019 6:00 pm
OLD TIME POLITICAL RALLY **Hot Dogs ***Popcorn ***Cotton Candy AWARD WINNING HOMEMADE ICE CREAM !!
Speakers:
Steve Munisteri, State Republican Chair, 2010-2015, Trump Administration as Deputy Director of Office of Public Liaison, Sen. John Cornyn’s 2020 Re-Election Campaign……
Rafael Cruz, Cuban-American Protestant Preacher, Public Speaker & Father of Sen. Ted Cruz
Tickets are $5 per person or $10 for a family of five.
For Tickets: Please contact Beth Wisenbaker 903-348-1614
Melonie Findley 903-348-0648
Debbie Harris 903-348-3801
Angela Price 903-366-6629
Tickers needed to be bought ahead of time to get head count to purchase food. Money raised to fund Headquarters & local events.
Cornerstone Baptist Church Revival September 8-12
Cornerstone Baptist Church, located at 207 E. I-30 Service Road in Cumby, Texas, will hold a Revival Praise and Worship Event September 8th through the 12th. Praise and Worship will be held from 6:30 to 7:45PM each night. A fellowship meal will be served Sunday, September 8th, beginning at 5:15PM. Everyone is welcome.
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Evaluates Wakeland Game, Previews Lovejoy Defense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young called the Wildcats football game against Frisco Wakeland last Friday, Aug. 30, a tale of two halves. He compared it to a roller coaster.
In the first half, Coach Young said the Wildcats’ offense had an efficiency level of 47 to 49 percent, a little above the average for last year’s team. He said the offense made plays, quarterback Kaden Wallace made good decisions and there were a lot of contributors.
Coach Young said the running backs were explosive, receivers Chase Haney and Noe Ponce had some catches and Zach Tiemeyer had two catches including the play of the night, a 55-yard pass catch and run.
Coach Young said the roller coaster headed down in the second half. He said execution dropped some, but efficiency was down a whole lot. Penalties were the big reason. Coach Young called them foolish ones. He said all second half drives but one were stopped by penalties. Coach Young said the second half mistakes were the fixable kind.
He said he remains excited about where the offense is headed. Coach Young said the offensive line did really good for us. He cited Ryan Hammons, Chandler Leo, Giovanni Pizano and Alfredo Olavide. He said the offense has to continue to figure out what they have, improve execution and continue to take care of the football.
Concerning the Lovejoy defense, Coach Young said they held Colleyville Heritage to just 13 points last Saturday night. He called them the opposite of the team the Wildcats just played. He said Lovejoy is big and multiple up front, adding they fly around in the back. Coach Young called them a very good defense.
He said what really stands out for them is their size. He said they have 300-pound and 290 pound defensive tackles.
Coach Young said the Wildcats would have their hands full Friday night.
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Discusses Wakeland Game, Has Preview of Lovejoy Offense
Wildcats Football Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra said the Friday night, Aug. 30, contest against Frisco Wakeland was a game of two very different halves. He said the defense did a great job in the first half. He said the defense was plagued by a bunch of mental errors in the second half.
Coach Guerra said that stuff has got to go. He added the defense must get better. He said some players with experience tried to do too much in the second half. Coach Guerra said there were some young guys whose heads were spinning. He said even at halftime with the score tied, they had a look in their eye like they were not sure what was going on.
Coach Guerra said defensive ends Cameron Kaufert and D’Andre Peoples played well. He called the defensive line the strongest part of the Wildcats’ defense right now.
Coach Guerra was among Wildcats coaches that scouted Lovejoy last Saturday night as the Leopards lost to Colleyville Heritage, 13-10. He called Lovejoy’s offense pretty good. He said they are big and strong up front. Coach Guerra said they don’t come off the ball as good as Wakeland does.
He said the Leopards are good at what they do. Coach Geurra called Lovejoy quarterback R.W. Rucker dangerous saying he can really run. He said receiver Reid Westervelt is their go-to guy when they pass.
Police Arrest Two At Two Different Stores Wednesday
Sulphur Springs police Wednesday made arrests at two different stores.
Loss prevention staff at Walmart at 7:25 p.m. reported two juveniles for theft. The store employee alleged a 19-year-old Como resident and his younger brother, identified in reports only as a juvenile, passed all points of sale with multiple items that were not paid for. The older brother was allegedly seen in the self check-out area, where he failed to pay for all of merchandise in his possession when he finished checking out. The valued of the unpaid merchandise was reported to be more than $100, police alleged in arrest reports.
The juvenile’s parent was contacted and he was issued a criminal trespass warning prohibiting him from returning to the store. The 19-year-old was also issued a criminal trespass warning and taken to jail for theft of property valued at $100 or more but less than $750, according to arrest reports.
The 19-year-old remained in the county jail Thursday morning on the charge. Wednesday was the second time he’s been in the county jail this year. He was also spent the night Jan. 20 in jail for consumption of alcohol by a minor, according to jail reports.
The second arrest, of a 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man, occurred at 10:16 p.m. at Love’s Truck Stop.
Sulphur Springs police were dispatched to the South Hillcrest Drive business, where someone had reportedly made threats. The man, reported to be a truck driver, as contacted as the “reportee,” police alleged. A records check showed the man to be wanted in Red River County for family violence assault causing bodily injury as well as in Sulphur Springs on one expired registration and two failure to maintain financial responsibility warrants. Fees on the outstanding traffic charges totaled $1,163, police alleged ino arrest reports.
He remained Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Indecency With A Child By Sexual Contact
A 56-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday by police on an indecency with a child by sexual contact warrant, according to arrest reports.
A 15-year-old who does not reside in Sulphur Springs reportedly made an outcry and Sulphur Springs police were contacted. The teen alleged she was sexually molested at a Sulphur Springs address when she was 11 years old, according to Sulphur Springs Police Detective Brian Shurtleff.
As part of the police investigation, the teen was interviewed at a child advocacy center by a forensic interviewer specially trained to speak with juveniles reading allegations of abuse or crimes, the detective reported.
Based on the police investigation, a warrant was attained for Kenneth Charles Smith’s arrest on an indecency with a child by sexual contact charge. The warrant was executed at the man’s residence and Smith was taken into custody at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 4 on the charge, according to Shurtleff.
Smith remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning; his bond was set at $100,000 on the indecency with a child by sexual contact charge, according to jail reports.
