Looking to the Future: Water In Hopkins County
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hopkins County, [email protected]
The importance of water cannot be overstated or overvalued. Though we often take it for granted, access to abundant, clean, safe, and affordable water affects our health, drives our economy, and adds to our quality of life.
Unfortunately, millions of people around the world live in places where water is so limited or in such poor quality that much of their day is spent finding water to meet bare necessities. Water in these regions is essential for survival, but ironically much of this water is contaminated and is a major source of sickness and disease.
Water is important to practically every aspect of our life, and in ways we often do not recognize or appreciate. Water is essential to food production, transportation, sanitation and health, energy production, recreation, and even politics. The most prosperous civilizations have always enjoyed access to fresh water, and the lack of water has been the downfall of others.
To understand the future challenges that faces Texas Water in Hopkins County, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has scheduled the presentation series, “Looking to the Future: Water in Hopkins County.” In this series, Texas AgriLife Water experts will discuss the way urbanization and growth is affecting Texas water, and how Hopkins County can be a leader in protecting our most valuable resources. During the program, city sprawl, storms and streams, inevitable Texas drought, and citizen and community involvement topics will be discussed.
The event is scheduled for Friday September 23, 2022 at the Gray’s Building located in Pacific Park (413 Beckham St., Sulphur Springs, Texas) starting at 11 a.m. The program is planned to end at 3:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be offered. This program is free and no registration is required.
Chamber Connection – Sept. 14
By Butch Burney, Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, [email protected]
Past cooks have until Friday, Sept. 23, to register for the 53rd Annual Hopkins County Stew
Festival and retain their site from last year.
If you have cooked stew in the past or want to for the first time, now is the time to register for Stew Fest, presented by Alliance Bank. The Stew Festival is Saturday, Oct. 22, with Friday night activities, hosted by Bob Evans Foods, will be going on the night before at Buford Park.
To register for a cook site, go online to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org/stewcooks, email i[email protected] or call 903-885-6515. The cost to enter is $100 per stew pot, with $150 coming from the sponsor to pay for ingredients. Register now to reserve your spot from last year.
This year, stew cooks can also pre-order a T-shirt with “Stew Cook” on the back for $15.
We also are taking applications for our vendor market at the stew. Cost is $75 for Chamber members, $100 for nonmembers. Go to our website at HopkinsChamber.org or call Amanda at 903-885-6515 to register.
Homecoming Parade
The Dial Study Club is bringing back the Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming Parade at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. The parade, sponsored by Triple Crown Roofing, will begin at Buford Park, go east down Connally Street, turn north on Davis Street and then west on Houston Street to end at the park. It will not go around the square.
Ribeye Roundup
If you’re looking for a great steak, you don’t want to miss the Cattleman’s Classic and Ribeye Roundup on Saturday, Oct. 1, on the downtown plaza.
The event features a steak cook-off which will include an expected 40-plus cook teams, educational trade show, free Bobby Irwin concert and more.
This year there will be a junior cook classification for youth ages 7-17. Go to the Facebook page to learn more.
You can also get a blue Ribeye Roundup T-shirt for just $14 at the Chamber of Commerce, 110 Main St. Come by to pick one up!
Quilt Show
The 21st Annual Quilt Show, presented by the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild, is set for Sept. 23-24 at First Baptist Church’s The ROC. Admission is $5 per person (under 12 are free). It will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Lisa Erlandson, AQS certified appraiser of Quilted Textiles and historian, will be the special speaker. There will be more than 100 quilts along with door prizes and vendors. For more information, go to SulphurSpringsTxQuilts.com.
Healthcare Night Out
Christus Health is hosting a Healthcare Night Out from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at Corner Grub House. The invitation is extended to job seekers as well as current/new Christus nurses, therapists and techs.
Business of the Week
The Chamber’s Business of the Week for Sept. 14 is Money Law and Title, located at 1335 South Broadway. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to check out our Business of the Week.
Ribbon Cutting
The Reserve at Sulphur Springs, an apartment complex on League Street, will host a ribbon cutting at noon, Wednesday, Sept. 14. Please come out to welcome them to the community.
Additional Charge Added For Man Jailed Monday For Evading Arrest
An additional charge was added Tuesday afternoon for a Sulphur Springs man jailed on an evading arrest charge Monday, according to arrest reports.
A detective advised Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Brandon Mayes that Dequarian Terran Pitts was scheduled to be at the police department for an interview, and that a felony warrant had been issued for the 22-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s arrest.
Pitts was among three arrested Monday evening, Sept. 12, 2022, on evading arrest charges following a Calvert Street shots fire call that resulted in a pursuit that ended with Pitts and a Commerce man attempting to run from police, officers noted in arrest reports. Pitts spent the night in Hopkins County jail on the misdemeanor charge, then was released Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, on a $10,000 bond.
Mayes contacted Pitts while he was at the police department and took him into custody at 4:30 p.m. on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a Dec. 3, 2020 felony assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing or circulation charge, Mayes noted in arrest reports.
Pitts was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked in at 5:14 p.m. Sept. 13, 2022, and remained Wednesday morning, Sept. 14, 2022, on felony probation charge; his bond was set at $150,000, according to arrest and jail reports.
Jail records also show Pitts has been jailed on two other occasions on charges related to the December 2020 assault impeding breathing charge. He was jailed Feb. 10-March 18, 2021, for surety off bond on the 2020 felony assault charge; and May 4-Aug. 4, 2022, for violation of probation on the assault impeding breathing charge.
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.
Sulphur Springs ISD Bond Election To Be Discussed At Town Hall Meeting
The Sulphur Springs ISD Bond Election will be discussed at a special Town Hall Meeting scheduled at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in the Board Room inside SSISD Administration Building, 630 Connally St.
SSISD Superintendent Michael Lamb will lead the discussion. The community is invited to attend to learn more about and ask any questions they may have related to the $81.5 million SSISD Bond Election called for facilities improvements and construction of a new campus.
The bond proposal is the second bond proposal the school district has asked voters to consider this year. A $93 million bond proposal was voted down in May 2022 by SSISD residents.
The current proposal includes some of the same proposals outlined in the $93 million bond proposal which failed on May 7, but has notable differences as well, according to a press release distributed by SSISD Superintendent’s Office Monday afternoon, Aug. 22, 2022, after SSSID Board of Trustees called for Nov. 8 election for the $81.3 million bond proposal.
Several projects in the prior plan, according to school administrators, are being postponed due to inflation. The district, however, would take advantage of “potential improved bond capacity” if the bond passes in November.
The $81.5 million SSISD bond election called for Nov. 8 still calls for a new campus for Travis Primary, but the notice did not specify where the new campus would be located or approximate cost. In the May 7, 2022, bond election, officials and the building improvement committee proposed updates at SSES, as well as constructing a new campus to serve elementary students on the site of what currently serves as a track at the far end of the SSES campus. The spring bond proposal allocated $35 million for the new Travis Primary Campus.
The Nov. 8 bond proposal calls for 8 additional classrooms, additional cafeteria space to accommodate campus needs, as well as improved pick-up and drop-off areas at Bowie Primary. During community meetings for the prior May 7 bond election, officials reported the campus was one of the few that has room to expand out further onto the property across or near the current playground and open field often used by community leagues for sports activities. The campus was allocated $6,000 for improvement on the May bond proposal.
Under the Nov. 8 bond plan, security would be updated by reconfiguring the entrance and front office area at Sulphur Springs Elementary; the building would also get a new roof and upgrades as needed. The prior plan allocated $3 million to SSES for renovations.
On the Nov. 8, 2022 election ballot, as proposed, will be improved parking and upgrades to Barbara Bush Primary, including an improved intercom system. Previously, the district had allocated $1 million to Bush Primary for improvements.
The $81.5 million bond proposal includes upgraded security at Sulphur Springs High School, which would be achieved by creating new front office space; SSHS has also been tabbed in the Nov. 8 election for additions to fine arts spaces, a new roof, as well as painting and parking upgrades as needed. The prior May 7 bond proposal allocated $10 million in renovations at SSHS, as well as a $12 million CTE Center (to house culinary arts, auto shop, health science technology, construction trades and robotics programs) and $12.5 million for fine arts.
As proposed in the Nov. 8 election, the district would finance 10 buses over 5 years, which is half the number proposed in the spring, when costs were projected at $2 million for buses.
Also listed separately in the spring bond proposal as capital improvements across the district was $9 million for roofing and HVAC work. In the fall bond proposal which voters will determine on Nov. 8, roofing work is included in plans listed for SSES and SSHS.
Among the items proposed on the May 7 ballot that the Nov. 8 proposal does not include were $2 million in renovations at Douglass ECLC and $500,000 in renovations to Austin Academic Center/DAEP.
The bond would add 1 cent per $100 property value to SSISD taxes. That would go onto the I&S indebtedness side of the tax rate. The district on Monday, prior to calling for the Nov. 8 bond election, also approved a tax rate of $1.1651 per $100 property valuation. The tax rate is composed of two parts, the maintenance and operations tax rate or M&O tax rate, which is used for salaries and daily operations. The second part of the tax rate is the issuance and sinking or I&S which is the amount levied to pay of bonded indebtedness.
The M&O tax rate passed by the school board on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, for tax year 2022-2023 was set at $0.85460, which is actually a 1.7 cent ($0.017) per $100 property valuation decrease in the M&O tax rate, in accordance with the state set formula. The I&S tax rate adopted Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, was $0.3105 per $100 property valuation. Should the Nov. 8 $81.5 million bond proposal pass, that 1 cent would be added to the I&S tax, increasing it to $0.3205 per $100 valuation, which would still be a $0.007 per $100 property valuation decrease in the overall tax rate, Superintendent Michael Lamb explained Monday, when presenting the scaled back bond proposal to the school board for consideration.
Methamphetamine Found In Fast Food Cup
More than 7 grams of methamphetamine was reportedly found in a fast food cup during an traffic stop late Monday night along I-30 in Hopkins County, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies reported stopping the driver of a white Ford F250 at 11:15 p.m. Sept. 12, 2022, on the south Interstate 30 service road at mile marker 135 for failure to maintain a single lane of traffic.
Deputy Drew Fisher, in arrest reports, noted that John Adam McGinn continued to exhibit nervous behaviors, after being told he was receiving only a verbal warning for the traffic violation. Fisher and Sgt. Tanner Steward‘s suspicions, leading the sheriff’s officer to ask the Mount Vernon man for permission to search the pickup.
When McGinn refused, Fisher deployed his narcotics detection canine around the truck. The police K-9 alerted on the pickup, resulting in a probable cause search by deputies, Fisher noted in arrest reports. Discovered in a McDonald’s cup full of Coke was a tin container with two baggies with a crystal-like substance in each, Fisher alleged in arrest reports. Believing the substance in the baggies to be methamphetamine, the deputies took 40-year-old John Adam McGinn into custody at 11:20 p.m. Sept. 12, and transported him to Hopkins County jail. The suspected meth found in the fast food cup field-tested positive for meth and weighed 7.247 grams, the deputies alleged in arrest reports.
As a result, McGinn was booked into Hopkins County jail at 1:06 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance, according to arrest and jail reports. The Mount Vernon man remained in Hopkins County jail later Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in lieu of the $50,000 bond set on the felony controlled substance 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.
Shots Fired Call Results In Pursuit, At Least 3 Arrests
A call reporting shots fired on Calvert Street in Sulphur Springs resulted in a pursuit and at least three arrests — a Malakoff woman on a felony charge, and Sulphur Springs and Commerce men on misdemeanor charges, according to arrest reports and officials.
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Robble Acosta responded at 7:19 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in the 700 block of Carter Street, where dispatchers were told shots had been fired. When Acosta attempted to contact the individuals in a gray Honda Accord, the driver failed to stop.
Acosta advised he was pursuing the car, which continued driving away from the address after he activated the lights and sirens on his patrol vehicle to indicate the car should immediately stop.
SSPD Officers Cameron Robinson and Stephen Lail, and Cpl. Silas Whaley; along with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Isaac Foley, Drew Fisher and Sgt. Tanner Steward had joined the pursuit. At 7:25 p.m. Sept. 12, 2022, officials responded on Calvert Street and Carter Street, according to police and sheriff’s reports. Upon stopping, the occupants allegedly jumped out of the car and attempted to elude officers by running, police alleged in arrest reports.
A 22-year-old Commerce man, one of the passengers from the car, was arrested at 7:45 p.m. within the 700 block of Calvert Street at 7:45 p.m. by Cpl. Whaley. A 22-year-old Sulphur Springs man, another of the passengers from the Accord, was located at 7:45 p.m. and taken into custody at 8:19 p.m. Monday at a nearby Calvert Street address by Cpl. Whaley and Officer Lail. Brookelyn Robyn Purser, the 19-year-old reported to have been driving the car, was detained in the 400 block of Carter Street and taken into custody at 7:48 p.m. Sept. 12, 2022, by Acosta and Robinson.
The 19-year-old Malakoff woman was booked into Hopkins County jail at 9:01 p.m. Monday on an evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge. The Sulphur Springs man was booked into the county jail at 9:07 p.m. Sept. 12 and the Commerce man at 9:28 p.m., each on a Class A misdemeanor evading arrest or detention charge. The Commerce man was also found to have three warrants for not taking care of three speeding tickets and one ticket for driving on the wrong side of the road.; fees owed on the traffic charges exceeded $726.50, according to arrest reports.
The Commerce man remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, in lieu of the $10,000 bond set on the charge, according to jail reports, Monday was the second time he’s been booked into the county jail; he also spent Jan. 10-13, 2022, in custody for bond forfeiture on a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge, according to jail records.
The Sulphur Springs man was released from Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, after securing the $10,000 bond set on the misdemeanor evading arrest charge, according to jails reports. Monday was also the second time the Sulphur Springs man has been booked into the county jail this year; he also spent May 4-Aug. 4, 2022, in jail for violation of probation on a Dec. 3, 2020 assault of family or household member that impeded breathing charge, according to jail records.
Purser also was released from Hopkins County jail Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, after securing the $25,000 bond set on the felony evading arrest or detention in a vehicle charge, according to arrest reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
Information from the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
Charle Fox, right, secretary at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus, helps new student Destiny Dee Carver of Sulphur Springs prepare to begin her first semester of college.
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.
2022 NETBIO Seventh Annual Cattleman’s Classic And Ribeye Round Up
Texas Heritage National Bank is proud to be the title sponsor for the 2022 Cattleman’s Classic And Ribeye Roundup (CCRR) to be held October 1, on Celebration Plaza. Thirty cooking teams are expected to be competing. With $7,200 in prize money, plus bragging rights, the competition is expected to be intense.
Brandon Bell with Potts Feed Store out of Emory, states, “Every year the teams get better and the scores improve. We have many returning teams, as well as a few new entries this year. A new twist for this year is the creation of the Junior Championship Steak Cookoff, where there will be two divisions of youth competing in a separate event. There will also be a hors d’oeuvre competition.”
Sponsors of the event are also showing a lot of excitement with Medium Rare returning sponsors including Sulphur Springs Livestock Auctions; Jay Hodge Chevrolet; Brookshire’s and Lone Star Ag-Credit. Medium Sponsors for 2022 include Corner Grub House Restaurant and Texas Farm Credit.
Without our sponsors we would not be able to continue this event. We want to thank all of these and the many other sponsors that enable us to showcase area ranchers and promote the beef industry. This industry has a tremendous impact on the Northeast Texas area. The NETBIO participating ranches market 40,000 to 50,000 head of quality feeder calves through 8 sales annually.
Dr. Mario Villarino encouraged everyone to, “Come to the Plaza Saturday afternoon, to go through The Cattle Trail, which will include several informational stations across the plaza with interesting facts and presentations from local Ranchers and Agribusiness representatives. We have some great prizes for children and adults that complete the trail on Saturday afternoon. The cooking teams will also have hors d’oeuvre samplers available throughout the afternoon for visitors completing the Cattle Trail.”
Evening activities include announcement of the winners of the competition, followed by live entertainment provided by Walker Ryder and a Ribeye Steak Dinner for $35.
Micah Newton states, “Tickets may be purchased from Texas Heritage National Bank as long as supplies last. After dinner the crowd will be treated to a concert by Bobby Irwin. Bobby is the winner of the 2021 National FFA Talent Contest and is from Quitman. Bobby is a great entertainer and is a rising star that we are lucky enough to catch on the way up.”
Come learn more about the beef industry. Cheer on your favorite team; have a great ribeye dinner cooked by one of the teams, with sides provided by Lyndsay Palmer. Then, kick back for some great entertainment!
— Submitted on behalf of NETBIO
Trial Of Cooper Man Accused Of 2021 Shooting At Delta County Gas Station Under Way
The trial of a 48-year-old Cooper man accused of a 2021 shooting at a Delta County gas station is under way in the 8th Judicial District Courtroom in Hopkins County just after 9 a.m. Tuesday morning, Sept. 13, 2022.
A jury panel was selected Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in Delta County in the case, but the decision was made to move the trial to the Hopkins County courtroom.
Robert Clevon Jeffery is accused of the murder of 35-year-old Damien Damon Wiley of Cooper, and causing bodily injury to 21-year-old Saquan Harrion Reynolds on Aug. 29, 2021, at Cooper Mart on West Dallas Street in Cooper, TX. Jeffrey entered a plea of not guilty Tuesday morning, Sept. 13, 2022.
Assistant District Attorney Zachary Blackmon in his opening statements told the jury he anticipates testimony will show that the defendant shot Wiley one time in the head, causing him to fall to the ground and die. Testimony and evidence will also show that Jeffery fired two shots toward Wiley. Blackmon anticipates the jury will see and hear testimony and evidence that Reynolds attempted to flee with Jeffery pursuing him. During the pursuit, Jeffrey fired three additional shots, including one that struck Reynolds below his buttocks. When Jeffery returned to the gas station, the store clerk is standing over Wiley’s body outside the store. The clerk saw him eject a round from the weapon, drop it and the firearm and seek out his daughter inside the store.
The clerk attempted several calls to 911, but the lines were down. Officers arrived and took Jeffery into custody without any resistance or issues, Blackman noted in his opening arguments. Reynolds was flown to a Plano hospital for treatment of his injury.
“This was obviously not a random killing. These guys had a beef for the past few years so it was thought a fight might break out, but no one thought this would happen,” Blackmon said. “You will see on video from an number of angles in the store.”
Blackmon called the store clerk as the state’s first witness, and anticipated calling others who were present at the gas station at the time of the alleged shooting. A Texas Ranger is expected to testify regarding a lab report, cartridges fired from the gun Jeffery is alleged to have used, as well as 3D renderings from the crime scene. The autopsy specialist is expected to be called as well during Jeffery’s trial, which is expected to span more than one day this week.
Defense attorney Clay Johnson in his opening statements to the jury asked the jurors to withhold judgement until all evidence has been admitted and to follow the law and only consider what they see and hear from the witness box.
Johnson said there was a longstanding feud between Robert Jeffery, known by many as Little Robert. The defendant was familiar with the people who were at and worked at the store that day. Jeffery had his 12-year-old with him. She had gone into the store because she wanted a soda. He said Wiley was at the store waiting inside until 10 a.m. because it was a Sunday and he could not purchase beer until that time.
Johnson said he believes the evidence will show Wiley stared at Jeffery as he entered the store. As he turned, Wiley was shot in the face. Jeffery chased Reynolds down. Reynolds was plugged two times. The prosecution alleges six shots were fire, but officials found only four casings, defense attorney Johnson alleged. He said although the store had high definition cameras with audio, what’s said on video is a little muddled, and it’s hard to hear anything after screaming and crying begin.
“I believe the evidence will show they had a feud with one another. Robert Jeffery was not guilty. It was self defense and/or protection of another — Mr. Jeffery’s daughter,” Johnson said.
Carrie Johnson, the clerk working at the store when the alleged shooting occurred, testified she knew all of the parties involved, that both Jeffery and Wiley were like family to her, and that she had no problems with either.
However, when both arrived at the store at the same time, Carrie Johnson (who is also known by her maiden name Booth) anticipated a fight might occur. She said she had heard about issues between Jeffery and Wiley but had never witnessed a confrontation between them.
The clerk recalled being busy helping a customer when she heard a gunshot ring out just before 10 a.m. Aug. 29, 2021. She looked up to see Wiley fall back, then heard two more gunshots fired. She said she observed Saquan Reynolds and Jeffery take off running. She heard Jeffery’s daughter scream and then escorted her behind the counter as a protective measure. She testified she then went out, saw Wiley on the ground and went back into the store to get the phone and attempted to call 911 but the call didn’t go through.
Carrie Johnson said she went to check on Damien Wiley, to see if he was alive and what was going on. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see “Little Robert” Jeffery. He yelled out something about his daughter, and was bouncing back and forth, waving a gun, the clerk testified. She said she asked him why he had to shoot Damien, why he had to kill him. She testified that Jeffery said he was going to do something to his daughter or something about his daughter, then seemed to snap back to a normal state.
The clerk testified Jeffery took a bullet out of the chamber of the gun, dropped the bullet and gun. She told him to just go, that officers would be there soon. He refused, then went into the store, where his daughter had remained.
ADA Blackmon then played four videos reportedly taken from store surveillance cameras during the incident that resulted in Wiley’s death and the 21-year-old being injured. He asked Carrie Johnson various questions about the videos, including to identify the various people pictured and heard on it.
The man on the video identified as defendant Jeffery can be seen with a female behind the counter in the store, identified as his daughter by the clerk. She cried and yelled, very upset at her daddy. He could be seen grabbing the girl and stating “Nothing’s going to hurt you.” The youth then tell him amid tears that he’s going to be in big trouble and she won’t be able to have him anymore, then asked, “Why would he hurt me.” She also asked him why he did it, that he wouldn’t be able to see him again until she is older. She appeared distraught, crying, and yelling on the video.
On one video, he’s heard telling someone to go down to momma’s house, to hurry up. He appears to be talking on a phone to someone and tells them he’s at the store but tells them not to come to the store. It sounds as if he says “Someone is coming to take you.”
The man is taken into custody on video by an officer.
Defense attorney Clay Johnson asked the clerk if she heard Jeffery say “he ran up to my daughter.” Carrie Johnson testified that she did not see any confrontation or the other man run up to Jeffery’s daughter. She said she had no prior fear of Jeffery, nor knowledge of him doing harm to anyone except Wiley and Reynolds, from her observations of them.
Eighth Judicial Judge Eddie Northcutt called a brief recess at about 10:30 a.m. Sept. 13, 2022, and excused the jurors, to allow some matters to be taken up outside their presence, but anticipated resuming the trial very shortly afterward.
Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris is working with Blackmon in prosecution of the case.
Republicans Rally Around Stump Speakers
Republicans rallied around stump speakers while enjoying homemade ice cream, popcorn and hot dogs Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Hopkins County Civic Center. The prevailing message carried throughout the 2nd Old Time Political Rally hosted by Hopkins County Republican Party was the need to make a big push to get everyone possible to
Hopkins County Republican Party Chairman Donnie Wisenbaker opened the nearly 2 3/4 hour event recognizing elected officials and honored guests, and introducing Dr. Troy Jackson, whose lively prayer got the crowd fired up.
Wisenbaker further spurred the room offering his takeaway from the latest presidential speech he’d watched recently, and encouraging all to not only vote but impressing upon all the need to get as many as possible out to vote in the Nov. 8 election. All are needed to turn the tide if the Party wants to gain control of state and national offices.
“If you don’t get behind it, we’re going to lose the state of Texas as we know it,” Wisenbaker said.
Bowie County Republican Chairman Gary Singleton led the sea of red-clad individuals in an impassioned pledge to the USA and Texas flags.
Hopkins County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Brad Cummings sang the National Anthem and “God Bless The USA,” encouraging all who knew the words to sing along with him.
“I hope in November you get more out to vote than last November,” Texas District 2 Rep Bryan Slaton said. “We have to show up and vote and offset the craziness.”
He encouraged everyone present on Nov. 8 to get at least one person who is not their spouse to vote in this election, then to keep increasing that number each election. He said Republicans should encourage all to fight for the values they grew up with and maintain by getting them to vote Republican.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said the number one thing he’s focused on this year, especially since May, has been school security. He said all local schools now have ballistics shields, which are expensive; the HCSO patrol sergeants also have one. His office has been working hard with the schools to better secure them in order to protect the children they serve. If a threat is made against a school, his office is to be made aware of it so that the matter can be addressed immediately, taking it to the individual wherever they may be, regardless of the time of day or night.
“It’s better to taken it to them on their home than on the school grounds,” Tatum said.
Also important, according to Tatum, is to shut down the Texas-Mexico border, to slow the drug, human trafficking and other illegal activities brought across when individual cross it illegally. He said he’d been down to El Rio with other members of the state sheriff’s association, and described it as being like a third world country. Tatum said things have changed so much since he was on patrol with HCSO, methamphetamine so prevalent not only are people not having to cook up a batch in labs, the cost of meth has decreased from $100 a gram to $10. Several kilos of cocaine or meth can easily be obtained from dealers in Hopkins County.
He said those who live in Hopkins County are quite fortunate in the cooperative effort among all county officials and agencies. Through some of the programs in place, Hopkins County has been able to lower taxes and give employees raises other counties aren’t able to do. That, he said, is something that’s been needed for a long time. He asked all to continue to pray for Hopkins County and Texas, and their leaders.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer stressed the importance of voting in the Nov. 8 elections.
“When we look at November, what can happen — our values are on the line. We have to be ready to go and fight for what we believe in, what we want. If the battle is to be won, it’s going to have to be us,” Teer said. “We need to be ready, educated and ready to fight. If we don’t stand up and fight all of our rights will be gone and we will be living in a communist state and nation. Go vote. Get educated. Take someone to vote.”
Erik Simien, Constituent Services Representative for District 4 Congressman Pat Fallon, said the US’s founding fathers had great wisdom and foresight. Benjamin Franklin, at the time of the Constitutional Convention, said ancient governments that no longer exist up to governments in more modern states in Europe were viewed, but non was suitable to the situation in the US. He called for prayer at the beginning of each day of the session and clergy to officiate. Afterward, those prayers were answered. Divided, we are like the people of Babble, divided by partial local interest.
Rhonda Anderson, director of grassroots engagement for Texans for Abbott, asked those present to sign up to be part of the official effort to contact and get more people to vote in this year’s Nov. 8 elections. Anderson moved from Ohio to Longview, Texas during Obama’s second term in office. Over five years, she’s helped knock on 35,000 doors. No she helps organize teams to help win elections by “defunding tyranny.”
She noted the Republican Party has it’s work cut out for if they plan to match or best the Democratic Party, which is hiring over 1,000 more people to assist with their campaign mail and field efforts to reach additional voters. They are receiving money from more groups, are organized and united when out every weekend knocking doors and greeting constituents.
Anderson said East and West Texas are the bookends of voting. A high number of votes are essential in East and West Texas in order to overcome the laws of election. She asked all present to to consider committing to knocking on 25 doors in the area, with a goal of persuading independent and soft Democratic or swing votes in favor of Republican votes. People can register to take part on GreggAbbott.com. Times are typically from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and 2-6 Sundays.
She also reminds that Oct. 11 is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8, 2022, election and to become a deputy registrar.
Gary Singleton, Bowie County Republican chair, noted a 3-hour election training session will be hosted in his county for any interested. Dr. Troy Jackson will be an instructor at the event. The founding fathers sacrificed to give us the freedoms and rights we enjoy in the USA. He encouraged those present to not let others with opposing views take them away, but to instead go to the polls and take others with them, to get out and get to know others, share their conservative values and get others to vote for candidates who share like goals and values to ensure those freedoms and rights endure.
Hopkins County Court-At-Law Judge Clay Harrison encouraged voters to vote as soon as they can, to be informed and protect the freedoms and conservative values they enjoy.
County Judge Robert Newsom recalls a time when he and wife Robbie were out walking streets, knocking on doors asking people to vote for him. He saw a house with an opponent’s sign in the front yard, but decided to go up and try to talk to the resident anyway. Not only did she talk to him, after he left, Robbie observed her go out and pull up his opponent’s sign and put it in the garage. That’s a vote he won because he made the effort to share his goals with her.
“It’s possible this could turn around and we lose our freedoms,” Newsom said. “We must win. It’s serious business.”
The first election he recalls was in 1971. Each election since he’s felt is more important than the last, with more on the lien. This time is no exception, Newsom said.
“This is the most important election of our lives. Can we change some minds, make a difference? He expressed a desire for more young people, those for whom social media is first nature, to be involved in election campaigns and voter recruitment.
Eighth Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt noted the importance in voting in all elections, especially local and state, and those for judiciary seats. He gave an example of one election ultimately being decided by one vote. When Frank Long decided not to seek another term as district attorney, Martin Braddy and Heath Hyde both ran. At the conclusion of the election on election night, Braddy finished just ahead of Hyde with 11 votes. Hyde called for a recount. In the recount, Hyde picked up three extra votes in Delta County, reducing Braddy’s lead to 8 votes. Hyde picked up another four votes in Franklin County, cutting the lead to four, then picked up three more in Hopkins County. When all was said, Braddy won the election by just 1 vote, Northcutt said. Had some of the people who’d confided on Election Day they still hadn’t voted cast a ballot in the race before the race was over, Hyde could have potentially overcome Braddy for the seat, or more firmly secured Braddy’s win.
Northcutt also noted another big election won by a pretty slim margin, when Lindon B. Johnson ran for Senate. Voter turnout was horrific that year. No one won by a 50% margin. Johnson won by 87 votes, an election some say was the most consequentially election in the last century, the judge noted.
He encourages staff in his offices on election day to stop and go vote if they haven’t already. He urged them to vote for judicial candidates who will return East Texas conservative values to the courthouse. He encouraged all present at the Republican Rally to go down and select all candidates with a Republican R by their name.
Texas House District 5 Representative Cole Hefner said he grew up in Pittsburg, Texas, and unlike many of his classmates did not want to leave the area upon graduation. Why should he, he asked, when “we live in the best part of the best state, in the best country in the world.”
Hefner said he makes it a point to go to local restaurants, where he knows someone who works there. Likewise, he makes a point to get to know his constituents.
He said it is as vitally important to vote in local elections as in state elections, which affect you the most. He noted a lot has been accomplished in the last few sessions, especially the special sessions Abbott has called.
Keynote speaker Stephen Willeford encouraged those present to rally and protect their Second Amendment right to arm yourself for your protection as well as that of others. He said he always had small town values — appreciation for God, country and family, and those who serve. On Nov. 5, 2017, he had reinforced to him the need to have arms, to be your own first responder until the traditional first responders (law enforcement, fire department and EMS services) arrive; that he said means an obligation to protect self and loved ones, which he described doing with her firearm.
He described his actions in 2017 to stop a man in a black tactical vest and protective head gear seen shooting up the door to the church. His daughter called 911. He ran across from his home to the nearby church, barefoot holding an AR15. He determined his community couldn’t wait for law enforcement to arrive for help. He yell out about half there. The shooter, Willeford recounted, had just shot a woman in the chest and a church leader in the back, causing him to fall and was standing over him with a firearm.
The shooter dropped his rifle and ran from the church, shooting at Willeford with a pistol as he did so. Willeford reported taking cover as best he could and firing fired six round toward the man, who appeared to be wearing class 3 body armor and protective head gear. The man ran to a vehicle left in the middle of the street with the driver’s side door open. As the man turned sideways, Willeford said he fired one shot high between the plates and another at the man’s lower leg. The man did not stop. Additional shots were fired.
As the fleeing car topped the hill, Willeford said he told a man in a pickup that a guy had just shot up the Baptist Church and they had to stop him. He got in the truck and off they went, Willeford’s driver already on the phone with dispatchers. They pursued the car at a high rate of speed, following it as it slowed, pulled into a ditch, took out a road sign, then continued for less than a mile. The vehicle went off the road, through a fence and into a field. Willeford said he got out with his rifle on the hood, yelling for the man to get out. He acted, Willeford said.
Another 5-7 minutes passed before authorities to arrive, which was 19 minutes since the first shots were reported until they heard the first siren, Willeford reported. Overall, 26 people that’d been at Sutherland Springs Baptist Church that day died, 20 others were injured and only 3 escaped without bullet wounds, Willeford noted.
He said he was able to act because of his Second Amendment right to own a gun, an AR15, which some want to bar citizens from owning, along with AK47s and other high powered firearms. After that, Willeford said he became very involved with Gun Owners of America, helping to write legislation allowing Constitutional carry of firearms in Texas, which he says makes the state a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State.”
Willeford is now a national spokesperson for Gun Owners of America and emphasizes in his talks the importance of the Second Amendment, which allows you to be your own first responder until professionals arrive, if necessary, in order to protect yourself and others. He said he speaks and helps people in other states fight against proposed legislation which would limit their 2nd Amendment rights. He said he fights in order to protect his family, wife, grown children and four grandchildren, to fight for their rights.
“He stood up for what needs to be done. it’s time you do what needs to be done. You vote and get others to vote. We want to be able to have meetings like this and for our grandkids too. The only way to accomplish that is if you get out and vote,” Wisenbaker said, concluding the rally.
Hopkins County Republican Party hosted an Old Time Political Rally at Hopkins County Civic Center on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022 
Veteran standing for the National Anthem and God Bless the USA 
Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance 
Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance 
Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance 
Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance 
Presentation by Director of Grassroots Engagement for Texans for Abbott Rhonda Anderson 
Rhonda Anderson presentation 
Rhonda Anderson presentation 
Rhonda Anderson presentation
