By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

Former West Tawakoni Councilwoman Laura Denise Bailey Beckett was sentenced to 10 years probation Dec. 16 in the March 2013 hit-and-run death of Jackie Lynn Blaylock.

Judge Richard Beacom, 354th District Court of Hunt County, heard testimony including Beckett’s own description of what happened March 17, 2013, before issuing the sentence that included 180 days in the Hunt County jail, a fine of $5,000 and 240 hours of community service.

Beckett had pleaded guilty in October to one count of failure to stop at an accident causing serious bodily injury or death. A second charge, tampering with physical evidence, was dismissed.

In a soft-spoken voice, Beckett testified she had drank four or five beers, beginning around 4 p.m. the day of the incident.

She told the court she thought she had hit a deer when she continued to drive to her home.

Assistant District Attorney Steve Lilley cross-examined Beckett.

In his summation to the judge, Lilley said, “This is a very, very sad case.”

He said Blaylock’s family had lost her for no reason when Beckett “didn’t do a thing to help. She should have stopped.”

Lilley said the defendant “knew better, knows better.”

He said Beckett was a former police officer and former member of the city council. As such, he said she should be held to a higher standard and asked the judge to send a message that “we in Hunt County” would hold people in those positions to a higher standard.

Beacom remanded Beckett over to the sheriff’s office to be taken to jail after the hearing. She broke into sobbing as the officer took charge of her.

District Attorney Noble D. Walker Jr. said after the hearing, “The defendant entered an open plea of guilty without any agreement as to punishment with the state and was subject to the full range. This was an extremely difficult case and though we are disappointed that Ms. Beckett was not immediately sentenced to the penitentiary, we presented all of our evidence during the hearing and fully respect the court’s decision. Following her six months in jail, she will be very closely monitored by the Community Supervision and Corrections Department for the next 10 years.”

Walker commended the job performed by Assistant District Attorney Lilley.

“Steve did a great job presenting evidence to the court about what happened on the night of the offense and the consequences Ms. Blaylock’s death has had on her family,” Walker said. “Additionally, we appreciate all the hard work that went into this case by West Tawakoni Police Chief Brandon Kilpatrick and Texas Ranger Laura Simmons.”

Failure to stop at an accident causing serious bodily injury or death is a transportation code felony, punishable by two to 10 years in the penitentiary and an optional fine up to $10,000.

Beckett was arrested in February by the West Tawakoni Police Department on two sealed indictments issued by the Hunt County Grand Jury. After she was charged, she resigned from her Place 2 position on the council.

The indictment by the grand jury on the accident involving SBI-death charge states Beckett on or about March 17, 2013, “did then and there intentionally or knowingly drive a vehicle that became involved in an accident resulting in death to Jackie Lynn Blaylock, and the said defendant did thereafter, knowing said accident had occurred, intentionally or knowingly leave the scene of said accident, without giving her name, address, registration number of the vehicle of the defendant, or the name of the defendant’s motor vehicle liability insurer to any person, and without rendering reasonable assistance to Jackie Lynn Blaylock when it was then apparent that Jackie Lynn Blaylock was in need of medical treatment…”

The indictment on the tampering with physical evidence charge claims Beckett on or about March 18, 2013, “did then and there, knowing that an investigation was pending and-or in progress, to wit: an investigation into the death of Jackie Lynn Blaylock, intentionally or knowingly alter, destroy and-or conceal evidence of a crime, namely: 2003 Chevy Suburban, with intent to impair its availability as evidence in the investigation…”

The 38-year-old Jackie Blaylock was found by a West Tawakoni Police officer at the intersection of State Highway 276 and Waterline Road early Sunday morning, March 17, 2013.

At the time of the accident, Chief of Police Kilpatrick said Officer Barbara Peacock was patrolling when she observed a pair of shoes lying in the roadway. “Officer Peacock turned her vehicle around and investigated and observed a female in the roadway,” he said.

After further investigation, she found a vehicle had struck the woman.

“When Officer Peacock approached, she noticed she had injuries and notified AMR Ambulance,” the police chief said. “When AMR arrived, they determined the female was deceased.”

Quinlan Ford Panthers were named for All District football honors this week for District 7-4A.

Athletic Director and head football Coach Todd Wallace announced the district’s decisions.

Pics from Quinlan Ford include Taner Renfro, first team offensive guard; Logan Lane, second team tight end; Roman Aguillon, second team running back; and Melvin Benitez, second team kicker.

Dalton Rath and James West were selected for honorable mention offense.

Honorable mention defense included Roble Acosta, Gavin Ellis, Brandon Melton, Johnny Solis and Trevor Stanford.

Academic All-District honors went to Gavin Ellis, Dakotah Pitts, Dalton Rath and Taner Renfro.

Photo by Larry Briscoe

The Christmas and New Year holidays were busy for area firefighters. Firefighter-in-charge Robert Gayden III directs efforts at an early morning structure fire on Main Street at the Edward Street intersection in Quinlan on New Year’s Day. The building that has housed several businesses in the past and has been used as a residence was fully involved in fire at 3:19 a.m. Gayden said firefighters had it under control about 5 a.m. Quinlan, West Tawakoni, Union Valley and Tawakoni South departments responded. Gayden said Quinlan had been called to five structure fires during the holiday week. West Tawakoni Fire Chief Jeff Felts said his department had answered four structure fires that week including one only hours earlier than the one above. West Tawakoni received a call at 9:37 p.m. on New Year’s Eve of a house fire in the 1100 block of Cove Drive. Homeowner Jamie Calk said he used a water hose before firefighters arrived when his fireplace caused a fire.

Photo by Larry Briscoe

West Tawakoni Volunteer Fire Department needed a fire truck. Fire Chief Jeff Felts stands in front of one donated to West Tawakoni firefighters by the East Tawakoni Volunteer Fire Department. In addition, the Quinlan department also donated one of its trucks to West Tawakoni. Felts expressed his appreciation to the neighboring departments for their help. He said minor work had been completed and he was able to do whatever mechanical work was needed to keep them in operation. For a longer term answer, the fire chief planned to pursue grant opportunities.

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

The West Tawakoni City Council chose wastewater lift stations as the target project for a community block grant request.

The project was selected Tuesday night at a special meeting of the council.

Mayor Calvin Travers reviewed options the council had for the $275,000 Texas Community Development Block Grant. The city would have to pay $27,500 in matching funds as well as any overage amount in excess of the grant.

A public hearing was held Dec. 23. Travers said the three issues under discussion for the grant funds included Rabbit Cove Road improvements; construction of new restroom facilities at city hall; and the lift stations.

A lengthy discussion was held on the options.

Mayor Travers said improvements to Rabbit Cove Road from Mays Lane to the lake would require substantially more than the $275,000 grant. He said       the project would require extensive drainage work.

Travers recalled recent work on Mays Lane cost $200,000 with no drainage work, and Rabbit Cove Road was twice the length at two miles.

The mayor said the new restrooms at city hall did not seem like a good fit for the grant, which left the lift station project.

Councilman Alan Shoemake expressed concerns over the number of phone calls to city hall about Rabbit Cove Road and said he leaned toward work on the roads for use of the grant funds.

Councilman Lyle Varnes said his concern was that if the council did not do something about Rabbit Cove Road, “Are we ever?”

Public Works Director Lamont Jenkins said pumps in the lift stations were 12 to 15 years old and definitely needed work.

“Luckily, we have been able to keep from getting violations from the TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality),” he said.

He said a recent project had renovated nine of the 10 lift stations on the south side of the city although they needed communications equipment. Jenkins said most of the work needed was on the north side of town.

City Administrator Susan Roberts in a memo to the council said, “It is Lamont’s and my opinion that we should consider lift station upgrades and-or replacement for the project, because our TCEQ inspector has evaluated most all of our lift stations, and we have some that are in need of replacement or upgrade. Due to fines previously from TCEQ relating to I and I (storm water) in our sewer lines, we may also need to add an area that needs sewer lines replaced.”

Roberts asked Jenkins to relate his plan for Rabbit Cove Road he had outlined earlier in the day in discussions with her and Assistant Public Works Director Jeremy Caviness.

Jenkins said he and Caviness had projected costs of laying eight inches of base road material over Rabbit Cove Road, 20 feet wide.

He said if Commissioner Phillip Martin agreed to help with the hauling and labor, the city’s cost would be $35,000.

Jenkins said if the base were accomplished this year, maybe two inches of asphalt could be added next year or the following year.

“At least we could maintain it with our road grader,” he said.

Mayor Travers who also travels the pothole-plagued road daily said what Jenkins proposed would worsen the dust problem already present “but at least you won’t tear your car up.”

Jenkins said the cost to the city with the asphalt portion of the plan would be $114,350.

Travers said, theoretically, because of the drop in oil prices, asphalt would now be at its lowest cost.

He pointed out the problem would be that if Commissioner Martin agreed to help, he would not be able to keep his trucks on the project.

Jenkins agreed that Martin could not keep them on the project the entire time from start to finish. “It’s a start,” he said.

Shoemake moved to make lift stations the grant project, seconded by Varnes, who said he would also like to pursue Jenkins’ plan for Rabbit Cove Road. The project was given unanimous approval.

The city is expected to adopt a resolution at next week’s regular monthly meeting to submit to the Texas Department of Agriculture to notify of its intent to apply for grant funding. Applications are due to the state by Feb. 27.

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

Brandon Brewer

A suspicious vehicle report this morning led area officers on a chase that ended only after an escape in a police car that crashed into a truck and shots fired by multiple officers as the vehicle was used as a weapon against them.

Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks said the incident began at approximately 9:02 a.m. Tuesday when Quinlan Police Chief Johnny Thornburg answered the call from a citizen of a possible suspicious vehicle on FM 751, south of Quinlan.

West Tawakoni Police Chief Brandon Kilpatrick was called to assist Chief Thornburg.

“Chief Kilpatrick arrived on scene first and discovered a black passenger car in the northbound lane unoccupied,” Sheriff Meeks said. “A subject was located close to the vehicle and told the officers that the vehicle was his. The subject was identified as Brandon Brewer, age 26, of Balch Springs. A warrant check was run on the subject, and it was confirmed that a felony warrant out of Collin County was outstanding for Brewer.”

He said Brewer was placed under arrest, and when searched for weapons, a small baggie with a crystal substance appearing to be methamphetamine was discovered on his person.

Brewer was handcuffed and placed into the West Tawakoni Police vehicle and secured for transport.

The sheriff said officers were running a check on the vehicle and discovered that the vehicle had been stolen out of Dallas.

“Brewer was able to slip the handcuffs in front and climbed in the driver’s seat of the West Tawakoni vehicle and drove off from the scene at a high rate of speed,” Meeks said. Chief Kilpatrick was driving the West Tawakoni F-150 pickup.

The sheriff said tall, thin suspects had been known to be able to slip the handcuffs down and step through them. The suspect was able to get the handcuffs in front of him.

“The two officers pursued in the Quinlan Police Department vehicle,” Meeks said. “A brief chase ensued. A quick roadblock was set up by a Hunt County Sheriff’s deputy on County Road 3622 in far south Hunt County.”

He said Brewer stopped briefly and the officers got out of their vehicles.

“Brewer then accelerated the stolen patrol vehicle at the officers, and shots were fired by all three officers,” the sheriff said. He said Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Bose was able to evade the oncoming vehicle as it went in and out of the ditch toward him. “Brewer continued to evade and crashed into an 18-wheeler standing in the roadway.”

Meeks said Brewer was once again placed into custody. He said the suspect received minor injuries from the accident and was taken to Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville.

“Brewer has been released from the hospital and is in custody at the Hunt County Detention Center in Greenville,” Meeks said. “He is being charged with possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, escape from custody, evading arrest in a motor vehicle and aggravated assault on a peace officer. This case is still under investigation by our office.”

Quinlan Ford Lady Panthers took a 45-28 win Monday in their first district game.

The win ups the team’s season record to 12-7.

Coach David Ivey’s Lady Panthers took an early lead with a 17-4 score at the end of the first quarter. The score after two was 22-12. Quinlan Ford built their lead to 34-17 at the end of the third quarter.

Leading the Lady Panthers effort were Kattie Valentine with 18 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal; Jenna Ackenback, 12 points, one rebound, one assist and three steals, Carely Torbert, 6 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals; and

Brieo Clough, 2 points; Charity Timmons, 2 points; and seven rebounds; Cheyenne Burden, 3 points; and Cheyenne Cooper, five rebounds and one assist.

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

Photo courtesy of Keith Payne
Thomas James Shane Payne

A two-year-old boy died Saturday afternoon in a Dallas hospital where he was taken after fire on Wednesday destroyed his family’s travel trailer on County Road 3623. He and his mother and sister were flown by air ambulance to Parkland Hospital in Dallas.

Thomas James Shane Payne was later transferred to Children’s Hospital where he died.

His father, Keith Payne, said he lost his son at 5:35 p.m. while holding him in his arms.

His mother, Angelica Calhoun, and Allessa Faye Calhoun, daughter, along with Michael Wooten were in the travel trailer southeast of Quinlan about 3 p.m. Wednesday when fire spread throughout.

Payne said he was at his uncle’s house in Allen when news came on television that three people had been flown to Dallas from a Quinlan fire.

The grief-stricken Payne described his last moments with his son, “I couldn’t leave him. He took his last breath in my arms.”

He said the mother and his stepdaughter were released from the hospital earlier.

Payne praised the help that had been provided by the community. A funeral fund has been established at www.gofundme.com/kasswg. A fund to help the family was also set up at www.gofundme.com/kapee4.

Quinlan Assistant Fire Chief Steve Bowen said Quinlan Volunteer Fire Department was the command department at the fire, assisted by Tawakoni South and West Tawakoni. He said while the others were occupied at the fire, Cash VFD set up the landing zone at the high school for the medical helicopters.

Fire Chief Brett Cash Carroll was on Rapid Response duty and responded to the scene as a paramedic.

Bowen said Wooten was treated at the scene but was not transported.

“They were all outside when we got there,” Bowen said. He said the ambulance was first to arrive. Firefighters first helped with the victims, Bowen said, and were then able to assist with fighting the fire as additional ambulance personnel arrived.

Fire Marshal Richard Hill of Hunt County Homeland Security said his office had determined the fire was not arson and was accidental with an electrical cause.

Constable Kent Layton said he and Deputy Constable Rosamond Doiron were close to the scene and responded when emergency personnel were requested to the location.

“I arrived on the scene and a trailer 80 percent burned was still burning. Two ambulances were on scene. Victims of burns were taken to the high school parking lot where three medical helicopters arrived and took three victims to Parkland Hospital, one in critical condition.”

Multiple fire departments, Layton’s office, Hunt County Sheriff’s Office, Quinlan Independent School District Police and Quinlan Police Department responded.

Unrelated second tragedy

An unrelated second tragedy struck within the same area a short time after the fire.

Fire Marshal Hill and his assistants including Assistant Fire Marshal David Alexander, who were investigating the fire on County Road 3623, were called to duty at a nearby automobile accident on FM 751. The nearest Department of Public Safety trooper was on duty in Wolfe City. Hill filled in until the trooper could arrive.

Hill said an SUV and pickup truck collided at 5:30 p.m. when the SUV entered FM 751 from County Road 3622. He said a man was driving the pickup, and two women and a small girl were traveling in the SUV.

He said the child was flown to Parkland Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Hill credited Deputy Constable Doiron for providing traffic control assistance.

The Quinlan Ford Lady Panthers varsity basketball team took a 48-45 win last week over the Bonham Lady Warriors.

The scoring was close throughout the game, and the Quinlan team scored important points in the first two quarters. In the first, the Lady Panthers slipped ahead 16-15 and added two more to the lead after the second quarter for a score of 24-21.

Scoring was tied throughout the final two periods for 11-11 and 13-13 scores.

The win improves the girls’ standing to 2-0 in district and 13-7 overall.

Coach David Ivey’s Lady Panthers had two with double-digit scoring including Carley Torbert with 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Kattie Valentine dumped in 10 points, pulled down five rebounds and had three assists.

Rounding out the stats were Breo Clough with 9 points and five rebounds; Brianna Davis and Molly McDonald, 5 points apiece; Jenna Ackenback, 4 points; and Chenne Cooper and Charity Timmons, 2 points each.

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

How to get 150-foot long beams to and through West Tawakoni to the Two-Mile Bridge and move them into place are challenges confronting engineers.

Local officials, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Williams Brothers Construction are expected to have a collective head-scratching on the problem.

West Tawakoni Mayor Calvin Travers said a meeting was expected to be held Thursday this week or next week to consider options.

“When they bring the 150-foot beams in, it will shut down 276 coming through West Tawakoni,” Travers said.

“They are also exploring how to unload the beams off the trailers onto the bridge,” he said.

The mayor said options included barging them to the site or trucking them on the present bridge and using a crane to move them onto the bent caps.

Another option, he said, was to stage them in front the RV park in East Tawakoni and bring them in from the east side.

“They’re still almost two years away,” he said of the completion date for the $48 million four-lane bridge.

“Wind was one of the biggest problems that got them behind,” Travers said. “They can’t work in winds 20 mph or more. That put them almost a year behind.”

Greenville resident, Heriberto ‘Beto’ Gallegos Borrego suspect in a double murder.

The Greenville Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a suspect in a double murder. The department issued the following statement.

“At approximately 3 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, two men were murdered outside Skate Safari at 5002 Moulton St. in Greenville.

“Investigators are asking those who were at the Skate Safari the morning of Aug. 16, 2014, to contact them in regard to the murders of Darius Diondre Hubbard and LJjorian Marquise Harris.

“An warrant was issued within two days of the stabbings for the arrest of Greenville resident, Heriberto ‘Beto’ Gallegos Borrego for the murder of LJorian Harris. At this time, Borrego has not been taken into custody.

“Anyone with information as to Borrego’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Greenville Police Department at 903-457-2900 or, to remain anonymous, Hunt County Crime Stoppers at 903-457-2929.”

A fire during the early morning hours Feb. 2 destroyed the newly bought trailer of a young couple on Sundown Drive between Horizon and Johnson off Hwy. 276 in West Tawakoni.

The man, who declined to give his name, said the couple had purchased the trailer Feb. 1. He said they were inside when the fire started and he had received burns to the side of his face.

West Tawakoni Volunteer Fire Department Capt. James Felts and firefighter Danton Yeager where two of those working to control the blaze in the sub-freezing temperature. Before firefighters left the scene shortly before 8 a.m. Feb. 2, the temperature had dipped to 25 degrees.

Courtesy photo

The W.H. Ford High School Panther powerlifting team took first Saturday at the Rains High School meet. The team was in third place at all three earlier meets. The team scored 44 points to take first place as a team. Coach Gary Pamplin said, “This is our fourth meet of the season. We have also competed in the Lindale Invitational, Forney Invitational and Oakridge Iron Championship where the team placed third in each of the meets.” Results included Carl Shehane, first place; Jesse Ortiz, second place; Wrangler Welch, first place; Sean Pobst, first place; Charles Willman, second place; Calvin Olsen, fifth place; Brandon Melton, first place; and Tanner Renfro, second place. Team members also include Garland Parker, Jansen Smith, Javier Utrera, Mathew Bryant, Billy Pritchett, Abram Garcia, Hayden Harrison, Marco Reyes and William Cotton.

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

West Tawakoni Chief of Police Brandon Kilpatrick was expected to return to duty after the city council voted Tuesday night to take no action in connection with a Jan. 13 police incident.

The council voted 4-1 to take no action when it reopened the meeting from a lengthy closed executive session to “consider review of internal investigation” of Kilpatrick.

Mayor Calvin Travers announced the council had met with private investigator John Sands of Commerce who conducted an investigation for the city.

Travers said they reviewed the investigation with Sands who was present in the executive session, looked at videos and saw interviews.

“The council feels 100 percent knowledgeable about Brandon’s actions at that incident,” Travers said.

Councilman Alan Shoemake commented, “After reviewing all of the investigation and videos, I believe our police chief did absolutely everything he was supposed to do.”

Shoemake said Kilpatrick followed city policy.

Councilman Lyle Varnes said, “Everything you see on television is not necessarily what happened.”

After the meeting, Mayor Travers said, “Mr. Sams did an extremely good job. We had film and interviews. It appeared that Brandon complied with all city and state police policies.”

Councilman Keith Goodson cast the only vote against taking no action.

After the meeting Goodson said, “I think Brandon should have known where the other officers were before he walked out in front of the others. He should not have fired toward the white truck. His pickup truck should have been more secure when leaving the suspect inside.”

City Administrator Susan Roberts said she planned to contact Kilpatrick Wednesday to discuss his return to duty. He had been on administrative leave since the incident.

On Jan. 13, Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks said the incident began at approximately 9:02 a.m. when Quinlan Police Chief Johnny Thornburg answered the call from a citizen of a possible suspicious vehicle on FM 751, south of Quinlan.

West Tawakoni Police Chief Brandon Kilpatrick was called to assist Chief Thornburg.

“Chief Kilpatrick arrived on scene first and discovered a black passenger car in the northbound lane unoccupied,” Sheriff Meeks said. “A subject was located close to the vehicle and told the officers that the vehicle was his. The subject was identified as Brandon Brewer, age 26, of Balch Springs. A warrant check was run on the subject, and it was confirmed that a felony warrant out of Collin County was outstanding for Brewer.”

He said Brewer was placed under arrest, and when searched for weapons, a small baggie with a crystal substance appearing to be methamphetamine was discovered on his person.

Brewer was handcuffed and placed into the West Tawakoni Police vehicle and secured for transport.

The sheriff said officers were running a check on the vehicle and discovered that the vehicle had been stolen out of Dallas.

“Brewer was able to slip the handcuffs in front and climbed in the driver’s seat of the West Tawakoni vehicle and drove off from the scene at a high rate of speed,” Meeks said. Chief Kilpatrick was driving the West Tawakoni F-150 pickup.

The sheriff said tall, thin suspects had been known to be able to slip the handcuffs down and step through them. The suspect was able to get the handcuffs in front of him.

“The two officers pursued in the Quinlan Police Department vehicle,” Meeks said. “A brief chase ensued. A quick roadblock was set up by a Hunt County Sheriff’s deputy on County Road 3622 in far south Hunt County.”

He said Brewer stopped briefly and the officers got out of their vehicles.

“Brewer then accelerated the stolen patrol vehicle at the officers, and shots were fired by all three officers,” the sheriff said. He said Sheriff’s Deputy Daniel Bose was able to evade the oncoming vehicle as it went in and out of the ditch toward him. “Brewer continued to evade and crashed into an 18-wheeler standing in the roadway.”

Meeks said Brewer was once again placed into custody. He said the suspect received minor injuries from the accident and was taken to Hunt Regional Medical Center in Greenville.

Brewer was charged with possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, escape from custody, evading arrest in a motor vehicle and aggravated assault on a peace officer.

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

Catfishermen in this year’s Cabela’s King Kat Tournament will kick off with a steak dinner before fishing gets underway at one of the best catfish lakes in the United States.

That is part of the lineup announced this week by West Tawakoni Economic Development Corporation’s tournament Chairman Bobby Nalls.

Nalls said events would begin Friday evening, Feb. 27, with a captains meeting and seminar at 7. The steak dinner will be provided by VFW Memorial Post 2559 from 6 to 8 p.m. Late registration for the tournament will be from 5 until 7.

The dinner costs $14 per person and includes steak, baked potato, salad, bread and dessert.

Nall said Saturday, Feb. 28, events open at 5 a.m. when anglers could launch boats. Fishing in the tournament will be from 6:30 to 3 p.m.

Sign-in for the kids tournament is from 8 to 9 a.m. and the kids competition will be from 9 to 11 a.m.

Food items will be for sale beginning at 11 a.m. and until it is all sold.

Weigh-in line will close at 3 p.m.

Events will be held at the West Tawakoni City Park in the city of West Tawakoni, official Catfish Capitol of Texas.

Lake Tawakoni’s national Cabela records includes the best five-fish catch and is what catfish angler teams will be looking to break at this month’s tournament.

Darrell Van Vactor, president of Cabela’s King Kat Tournaments announced at the 2013 Lake Tawakoni tournament that brothers Dan Miles of Irving and Paul Miles of Lake Dallas weighed in the five-fish record for anywhere in the United States with their 239.80-pound total.

“This broke the record set by Dale Kerns and his son at Henderson, Ky., in 2011 when they weighed in 212 pounds with a five-fish limit,” Van Vactor said. That was an average of 42.4 pounds per fish.

The previous record was set in 2006-07, Van Vactor said, at Lake Pickwick, Ala. At that tournament, anglers fished two days with a seven-day limit each day. The record catch for both days was 14 fish weighing 504 pounds. That was an average weight of 36 pounds per fish. The 2013 results at Lake Tawakoni beat that record by more than 10 pounds per fish.

Three Lake Tawakoni teams brought in a five-fish limit exceeding 200 pounds including the winners.

“Now that’s a load of catfish, I don’t care what body of water you’re on,” Van Vactor said.

QSID school board hears update, reports; presents awards

 By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

Photo by Larry Briscoe
‘Stand Up for Public Schools’ honors
Quinlan Independent School District presented “Stand Up for Texas Public School Awards” Monday night to business leaders. The Texas Association of School Boards developed the awards program to honor those who stand up for public schools. Supt. Dr. Debra Crosby and board President Kenny Stone presented the awards to American National Bank Quinlan Branch Manager Maranda Spencer and Twana Cleaver; Quinlan Brookshire’s Store Director Steve Gilpin and Bailey Stone; Daniel Earls, Megan Earls and Stacy Earls of D. Earls Tax Service; Adam Slaughter and Bill Slaughter of Slaughter Insurance Agency; and Quinlan Walmart Supercenter Store Manager Frances Walsh and Zone Merchandising Supervisor Darlene Morgan. Shown, from left, front row, are Walsh, Crosby, Morgan, Stacy Earls, Megan Earls, Spencer, Cleaver and Bailey Stone; and back row, Daniel Earls, Adam Slaughter, Bill Slaughter, Gilpin and Kenny Stone.

The Quinlan Independent School District School Board took on a jam-packed schedule Monday night with action on business, reports and awards.

The school board also heard an update on the new community park from Supt. Dr. Debra Crosby during her report at its regular monthly meeting.

Dr. Crosby said it was hoped work would start on the project in March. That is the latest word from the Park Committee’s recently-hired contractor. The committee includes QISD’s Crosby, Kathleen Witte and Tommy Underwood and Quinlan’s City Administrator John Adel and Councilman Jacky Goleman.

Crosby said the committee received three offers after advertising the project and interviewed two of the applicants. “Probably either one could do a great job,” she said.

Goleman added, “I do have confidence in which we chose.”

He said they liked the new plans that better reflected with what the park needed to start.

Crosby said plans showed Phase 1 would include two playgrounds, one for young children and one for older, disc golf course, splash area and fountain.

“We hope to have something looking like a park by summer,” she said.

Also in her report, the superintendent discussed the recent so-called “Fight Friday” incident in which three fights broke out in one day.

Crosby said police presence was beefed up and no further incidents on subsequent Fridays had occurred. She said the district had experienced only one fight this school year previous to that day.

“Really, we have some great kids,” Crosby said. “I’m proud of our kids. We certainly don’t have the fights like some districts.”

‘Stand Up’ awards

Stand Up for Texas Public School Awards were presented to business leaders.

Crosby said the Texas Association of School Boards developed the awards program to honor those who stand up for public schools.

“We deeply appreciate your support,” the superintendent said.

She and board President Kenny Stone presented the awards to American National Bank Quinlan Branch Manager Maranda Spencer and Twana Cleaver; Quinlan Brookshire’s Store Director Steve Gilpin and Bailey Stone; Daniel Earls, Megan Earls and Stacy Earls of D. Earls Tax Service; Adam Slaughter and Bill Slaughter of Slaughter Insurance Agency; and Quinlan Walmart Supercenter Store Manager Frances Walsh and Zone Merchandising Supervisor Darlene Morgan.

Trustee election

The board called the trustee election for May 9 to elect four of the seven-member school board.

Positions to be filled and incumbents include Place 1, Kevin Fritch; Place 2, Barbara Norris; Place 3, Kenny Stone; and Place 5, Dale Chreene.

Voting will be at the City of Quinlan Council Chambers, 104 E. Main, Quinlan; and Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce, 100 W. State Highway 276, West Tawakoni.

Early voting will be available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 27 through May 5 at Hunt County Voter Administration, 2217 Washington, Greenville.

Candidate filing will be open through Friday, Jan.27.

Sue Boone resignation

The planned executive session was not held. The resignation of Sue Boone from the district was announced by Dr. Crosby and drew heartfelt expressions of regret.

Crosby said Boone had worked in the district for 30 years. Boone said she began her career in education in 1974.

The superintendent said she had worked with Boone for 21 years and had found her to be the consummate professional, a hard worker and always dedicated to the students.

President Stone said Boone was always very professional. “It is always a sad day when you lose good people,” he said.

Performance report

Elementary Curriculum Director Boone presented the annual Texas Academic Performance Report during a public hearing.

The reports scores were previously presented in which all QISD campuses received Met Standard ratings.

Items covered in Boone’s report included the attendance rate for the state in 2013 was 95.8; QISD’s was 94.3;

The annual dropout rate for grades nine through 12 for 2013 was 2.2 percent for the state and 0.0 percent for QISD;

The four-year graduation-completion rate for the state was 88.0; QISD was 96.6 percent;

The recommended plan and distinguished plan annual graduation rate was 74.3 percent for QISD; state average, 83.5 percent;

As required beginning last year, students enrolled in college the first year after graduation for the class of 2012 — 31 students enrolled in a four-year college (increase of 12 over 2011); and 35 enrolled in a two-year college, 79 were not found; and

In the 2009-10 school year, the Hispanic population was 14.9 percent; in 2013-14, it was 21.2 percent; and violent crime incidents by campus include Cannon, 0; Butler, 0; TMS, one felony controlled substance; and FHS, one possession of illegal knife and one sexual assault on bus.

PLC, ACE reports

A report on the district’s Professional Learning Community (PLC) program was presented by Boone, Intermediate Curriculum Director Kathleen Witte and Secondary Curriculum Director Chandra White and included a multi-media presentation.

They were presented by Dr. Crosby who said PLC represented the concept, “We can do more as a team than individually.” She said many administrators and teachers were trained in the program last summer.

Lisa Underwood, director of the ACE after school program, reported the program received first semester approval from the Texas Education Agency.

Underwood gave statistics for each campus of participants and reviewed the large increase in participation in the program from December to January.

The board unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the program and school board.

Other business

• Business Office Manger Billie Miller gave the budget and investment reports that showed revenue for the month of $2,574,149.10; expenses, $1,942,632.04; and taxes, penalties and interest collected in January of $2,572,551.50. Interest of $1,212 was earned on investments of $11,710,087.

• The state-required racial profiling report was approved. Nineteen citations were issued including 17 given to Caucasians, seven male and 10 females, and two to Hispanics, both males.

• Assistant Supt. Chris Taylor received board approval for a local policy update on academic achievement graduation; class size waiver for a kindergarten class with one over the 22 maximum; and a waiver to allow the district to provide three days of staff development in lieu of student instruction and early release waiver.

• In response the Texas Education Agency’s request for a statement of impact on the local district by several charter schools, the board voted the charter schools could have an impact.

• All members of the board were present.

TMS girls play in district competition

The C.B. Thompson Middle School Lady Panthers competed this week in district competition.

Coach Brittany Wilkens reported the eighth-grade A team took third place after they lost 24-27 in the first game to Princeton and won 28-22 in the second over Bonham.

Scoring were Katelynn White, 2; Jazzmen Beierschmitt, 7; Courtnee Locke, 10; Autumn Grimm, 4; Allysen Warden, 9; Savannah Clark, 15; Mindy Cotton, 2; and Jarae Andrews, 6.

Wilkens said the seventh-grade A team lost 19-26 to Bonham in the first game.

Scoring were Angle Dijkman, 2; Hailey Gore, 8; Jillian Silkey, 4; Julia Cedano, 4; and Jordan Alvarez, 1.

By David Kapitan

Sports Editor

Photo by David Kapitan
Xavier Sherman gets past the Emory Rains defense to put up an athletic shot attempt on Feb. 20. Van would fall short in the contest, watching the Wildcats pick up a 50-47 win and the fourth and final playoff spot in District 14-4A.

GRAND SALINE – The Emory Rains Wildcats and Van Vandals tangled in Grand Saline on Feb. 20, each looking to stake their claim as the fourth and final playoff qualifier to come out of District 14-4A. Four quarters were almost not enough to decide matters, with clutch free throw shooting down the stretch by Rains proving to be the difference in a 50-47 Wildcat victory.

Van jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage just seconds after the opening tip on an easy lay in by Nick Wilkerson. That margin wouldn’t last for long, with points by Markell Spigner, Hunter McCauley and Nakedran Murphy helping the Wildcats edge in front 11-6 with just over three minutes to play in the quarter.

The Vandals countered the balanced Rains attack with a heavy dose of Austin Prater, who repeatedly knocked down contested shot after contested shot to pull Van to within 15-13 at the end of the first quarter. Prater, the game’s leading scorer with a 19 points, did most of his damage in the first quarter with an 11-point effort.

Game play slowed in the second quarter for both teams, with Van and Rains each settling for pass heavy possessions in search of an open man for much of the frame. Van drew even at 15-15 with five minutes to play in the half, only to watch the Wildcats rally back to build a 25-22 lead with just seconds to play.

Van’s Aphonso Thomas connected on a long 2-point shot at the halftime buzzer, cutting Rains’ lead to a narrow one-point margin.

Pace of play picked up markedly coming out of the break, with both teams taking advantage of sloppy perimeter defense to drive into the lane for layup attempts. The Wildcat tandem of Dakota Miller and Jonathan Thomas carried the load offensively in the third quarter, combining for 11 points to help Emory Rains take a 40-36 lead.

Despite a frenetic pace, neither team could make much headway offensively in the fourth quarter. Rains built a 43-38 lead with 6:36 to play in the game. The score would remain virtually unchanged over the next several minutes, with Van knocking down just one basket to keep Rains in front 43-40 with less than four minutes showing on the clock.

Momentum looked to be shifting the Vandals way after a three pointer by Xavier Sherman knotted the score at 43-43, but Spigner helped re-establish a Rains lead by hitting two free throws earned on a physical drive to the basket with 3:04 to play.

With noise from both fan bases building, Van pulled even again, and then nosed in front 47-46 with 1:17 left in the game.

Not to be denied, Emory Rains edged back in front to take a 48-47 lead with less than a minute to play. Spigner, who had been relatively quiet since his 11 points outburst in the first half, helped extend the lead further by knocking down two free throws with 18.6 second left to play to give Rains a 50-47 advantage.

Vandal coaches called a timeout, drawing up a play for a game tying three pointer. With time winding down and the crowd on its feet, Layton Myers put up a shot from the left wing that missed. Aphonso Thomas kept the ball alive inside, tipping the ball out to the right wing and into the arms of teammate Xavier Sherman.

Sherman fired up his own three-point shot, missing his attempt but drawing a foul to earn three free throws with 1.6 seconds to play. All three free throw attempts missed their mark, ending any chance of overtime and sending the Wildcats on to the bi-district round of the playoffs to face the waiting Mabank Panthers.

Free throw shooting was one of the biggest storylines in the game, with Rains shooting a solid 13/18 from the charity stripe. Van, on the other hand, struggled to capitalize on its attempts, hitting just 6/16 from the line.

Scorers for the Wildcats in the win included Markell Spigner with 15, Jonathan Thomas and Dakota Miller with 7 each, Hunter McCauley with 6, Nakedran Murphy with 5, Joseph Richardson and Nick Grell with 4 each, and Chance Cobb with 2.

Vandal scorers included Austin Prater with 19, Nick Wilkerson, with 7, Xavier Sherman with 6, Aphonso Thomas and Layton Myers with 5 each, Kendrick Jones and Drew Boroughs with 2 each and Jacob Tobias with 1.

Annual auction announced for May 9

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

Local dentist Dr. Gene Hamil hosted and spoke on optimism at the February monthly luncheon of the Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Hamil pointed out the importance of optimism in an individual’s life and read “The Optimist Creed.”

He praised the work of Mary Garbett’s Helping Hands Today organization that provided help to so many people. “This is a good work,” Hamil said. “I am behind her 100 percent.”

Hamil reported on his practice’s participation in the “Dentistry from the Heart” program that served 28 people one day last week that was set aside to provide free dental work to those who needed it.

His Parkway Family Dental hosted the meal that included gumbo prepared by his wife and sister-in-law.

Daniel Earls emceed the meeting. Earls and Executive Director Debi Darter announced the annual chamber auction would be held May 9 at Peninsula Ranch. They also discussed last week’s “iHeart Volunteers” banquet, attended by a capacity crowd at W.H. Ford High School’s commons.

The annual Cabela’s King Kat Tournament will be held Saturday at the West Tawakoni City Park, hosted by the West Tawakoni Economic Development Corporation.

A spokesperson for Raffa Clinic spoke briefly about plans to open a Quinlan location in May behind the middle school. The clinic currently has offices in Greenville and Commerce.

The website http://friendsofraffa.org/ states, “Raffa Clinic is a Christ-centered ministry dedicated to advancing the sanctity of human life and sexual purity. Every day emotional, physical, and spiritual support is offered to women and their families facing unplanned pregnancies.”

The website states the expansion into Quinlan created new volunteer opportunities.

“There are many different ways to serve at Raffa Clinic and new volunteer roles and times available. If you work 9 to 5 or have kids with you during the day, don’t let that hinder you. We now have evening volunteer opportunities available,” the website states. “Join us for our next volunteer training Feb. 26, 27 and 28. For exact times, details and to register, please go to our Volunteer Registration Form.”

Newest chamber members were welcomed including My Mattress Store, Darrell Dodd Construction LLC and Robin Myers. Ribbon cuttings were held following the meeting for Helping Hands Today, H&F Wrecker and Auto Shop, 1112 E. State Highway 276, West Tawakoni; Ain’t Just Pie Too, 108 Main St., Quinlan; and My Mattress Store, 1119 E. Quinlan Pkwy., Suite 200.

Second boat responds to calls for help

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

Two men were rescued from the top of their capsized boat Friday afternoon when their calls for help were heard by another boat.

“He saved our lives.”

Justin Gream of Dallas credited boater Jerry Watson of Emory with the life-saving effort near Anchor Inn Marina.

Watson was testing his boat with Darrel Gilbert of Quinlan who is a mechanic at Sonny’s Boats and Motors when he heard the call for help.

Gream was fishing with buddy Manuel Gutierrez of Sachse in water about 45 feet deep.

“The bilge pump went out and we started to go down,” Gutierrez said.

Gream said they grabbed for their life jackets stored inside the boat, but the boat capsized so fast, they could not reach them.

Can you swim? “Like a fish,” Gutierrez quipped.

They had a cell phone with them, but it went to the bottom of the lake when the boat overturned.

The pair climbed on top of the boat where they remained until Watson’s boat arrived about 30 minutes later, Gream said.

They had been fishing since 9 or 10 a.m. when the incident happened.

West Tawakoni Fire Chief Jeff Felts said emergency personnel were notified at 4:26 p.m. that the boat had capsized, two men were hanging on.

The men were returned to the Anchor Inn Marina boat dock. Their boat had been pulled to the opposite shore, and efforts were underway later in the afternoon to retrieve it.

West Tawakoni and Tawakoni South firefighters responded as well as West Tawakoni Police Officer Austin Newsom, Hunt County Deputy Turner, Constable Pct. 1 Deputy Shannon Havens Lindsey and AMR Ambulance personnel.

Gutierrez said they had had good luck fishing and had about nine catfish in the boat when it went down. “Catch and release program, you know,” he joked.

He was wearing his waders when the boat capsized, but Gleam was able to pull them off Gutierrez’ feet, and he was able to remove them before they weighted him down in the water. Coincidentally, they floated, were retrieved and returned with him to shore.

Gutierrez said he had been fishing regularly at Lake Tawakoni all of his life.