Pagedesigngroup by msjournalist

District 10-3A track meets scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday

The Farmersville Times • Farmersville, Texas, Thursday, April 13, 2017

Serving Farmersville and East Collin County Since 1885

• 2 Sections, 16 Pages

$1.00

Wrecks continue to plague area roads By Joe Reavis Staff Writer

news@farmersvilletimes.com Two people died Friday morning, April 7, in a head-on collision on Hwy. 78 about a mile south of Hwy. 78 near Lavon, while four others escaped serious injuries last week in wrecks on Hwy. 78 and Hwy. 380 near Farmersville. The fatal wreck occurred about 7:40 a.m. and is still under investigation by Texas Highway Patrol. Preliminary investigation shows that a Ford pickup truck driven by Michael Ables, 25,

of Coleman was northbound on Hwy. 78 when it crossed the centerline into southbound traffic. The truck struck a Ford Focus driven by Brittany Milton, 23, of Garland head-on. Both drivers died at the scene of the wreck. Two drivers escaped injury Wednesday, April 5, when they collided on Hwy. 78 at its intersection with CR 550 and one of the vehicles overturned. A Farmersville police report showed that Michael Benjamin Hunt, 40, was southbound See WRECKS page 5A

Courtesy photo

A double fatality accident occurred on Hwy. 78 and Business 78 near Copeville Friday, April 7.

Hinton home changes ownership

By Wyndi Veigel News Editor

news@farmersvilletimes.com

Election notices inside this edition!

After 54 years of ownership, Hinton Home has been sold to Four Square Healthcare. As of April 1, the former family-owned nursing facility, located at 205 Beech St., is now named Farmersville Health and

Public Notice for the bond election that Collin College is proposing for the May 6, 2017 regular election is included on page 6B. The city of Farmersville Notice of General Election is included on page 4B. The Farmersville ISD Notice of General Election is included on page 5B. The notices includes early voting locations as well as election day locations. Early voting runs from April 24 through May 2.

See HINTON page 5A

Easter events slated for weekend

Drug takeback day scheduled April 29

Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Farmersville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration will be hosting a drug take back event. Bring your pills for disposal to Farmersville Police Department at 134 N. Washington St. The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches. For more information contact Farmersville PD at 972782-6141.

Inside

Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .3B Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . .. .3A Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . ....4A Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . 3B Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1B

Lake Lavon Levels Normal – 492

490.72 ft as of 04/11/17

Lake Jim Chapman Normal 440 – Current 436.63 ft

Source: US Army Corps of Engineers

C&S Media Publications

By Wyndi Veigel News Editor

news@farmersvilletimes.com

Firing to home

Dustin Goodwin/The Farmersville Times

Farmersville’s Natalie Segovia fires a pitch to home plate during a start against visiting Whitewright during District 10-3A action. Farmersville came away with the 16-15 win. For the full story and additional photos see this week’s Sports.

Easter activities are in full swing for the weekend and Farmersville residents have several hunts to choose from. The annual VFW Post Easter Egg hunt will occur at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15 behind the post located at 671 W. Audie Murphy Pkwy. There will be three hunts, divided by area including birth to 3- years-old, 4- to 10-years old See EASTER page 2A

Rotary tournament scheduled April 18 From Staff Reports

news@farmersvilletimes.com Heading out to play golf on a normal day is simply an escape for some, but for the Farmersville Rotary Club it also serves as an annual fundraising opportunity. The 20th annual Bob Tedford Memorial Golf Classic is scheduled for Tuesday, April 18, at Wylie’s Woodbridge Golf Course. According to organizers, the proceeds go towards assisting the club with scholar-

ships, sponsoring Boy Scouts of America and sending young men and women to Camp RYLA, a Rotary leadership organization. It is the Rotary’s only fundraiser. The tournament kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with check-in and a boxed lunch. There will also be a hole-in-one contest. Winners of the hole-in-onecontest are eligible to win a new 2017 Chevrolet Equinox, sponsored by Tedford See ROTARY page 6A

Learning about history

Wyndi Veigel/The Farmersville Times

Farmersville Historical Society member Winnetta Morrow shows an original photograph of the Bain-Honaker House to fourth graders during the Farmersville 1900s program. For additional photos see page 6A.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

LOCAL

972-784-6397 | The Farmersville Times

A hunting we will go!

Courtesy photo

Wyndi Veigel/The Farmersville Times

Kids hurriedly hunt down eggs at the First Baptist Churchâ€™s Eggstravaganza which was held Saturday, April 15.

First graders Bentley Cox and Chloe Worthington visit with the Easter bunny at Tatum Elementary School.

Courtesy photo

Wyndi Veigel/The Farmersville Times

Clara Collier gives chase to a chicken at the FBC Eggstravaganza April 15.

Wyndi Veigel/The Farmersville Times

At the Farmersville VFW Post Easter egg hunt, Amberlynn White steps on an egg as she hunts to find out what is inside.

The Tatum Elementary School Head Start class puts their Easter egg hunting skills to the test.

Kindergartner Maci Smith smiles with glee after capturing an egg at the Tatum hunt.

Wyndi Veigel/The Farmersville Times

Courtesy photo

Wyatt Cifka scrambles to find eggs at the VFW Post Easter Egg hunt.

Wyndi Veigel/The Farmersville Times

Jacklin Rangel enjoys her first Easter as she examines eggs in her basket.

Beau Hickman isnâ€™t quite sure what to do with his Easter egg sack at the VFW hunt.

Wyndi Veigel/The Farmersville Times

Claire Cheesman gnaws on an Easter egg at her first-ever hunt at FBC Farmersville.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Letter to The Editor Policy

All letters are subject to editing and should be no longer 400 words. We limit contributors to one letter per calendar month; however, letters from the same writer will not run in consecutive weeks. Letters must be signed

with an address and phone number. They can be sent to P.O. Box 512, Farmersville TX 75442, faxed to 972-782-7023, dropped by the office at 101 S. Main Street. Farmersville or emailed to news@csmediatexas.com.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Editor: I was glad to see publicity being given to the subject of safety on 380, but I feel your story left out some important aspects of the story. While it is true the city and TxDOT are pursuing solutions, no mention of Collin County’s proposed solution of a limited access freeway was made.

Letter to the Editor, This past Friday, our president spoke concerning Resurrection weekend. This is part of what he said… “ This Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of salvation…it is a sacred time that fills the spirit of our nation with the faith of our people. America is a nation of believers.” He noted that America is a great nation because the people have the ability to worship freely. “That is a promise the first settlers saw in our vast continent and it is a promise that our bravest warriors have protected for all of our citizens in centuries since a long time ago,” he stated.

972-784-6397 | C&S MEDIA PUBLICATIONS

OPINION & COMMENTARY

Also missing was the timeframe for when the city’s proposed loop would be built. The residents of Princeton need to understand that the safety and congestion issues will not be resolved unless other solutions are seriously considered. Brian Gallimore Princeton

Bad stuff in Austin…

House bills would stifle press coverage, free speech The House State Affairs Committee heard testimony on two bills last week that would dismantle the reporter’s shield law and make it more difficult for news organizations to defend defamation lawsuits. Media outlets are up in arms about the bills sponsored by state Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, and legal experts testified during the hearing that both measures are unconstitutional. It would be nice if King would just say the purpose of his bill is to punish Empower Texans, the ultra-conservative political group headed by Michael Quinn Sullivan and financially backed by Midland oil and gas billionaire Tim Dunn. It’s the worst-kept secret in the Texas Capitol. Empower Texans has been a thorn in the side of House Speak-

er Joe Straus and mainstream Republican legislators. The organization issues a voting scorecard each session to measure if Republican legislative members are conservative enough for its liking. If not, the group will often find a primary opponent to take on the incumbent Republican. Thus far, Empower Texans and Sullivan have been the perfect foil for Straus, who has been speaker since 2009 and has vanquished opposition from some of the more conservative House Republicans. Empower Texans also publishes a website and newsletter, and considers itself a news organization. Even though most people consider them political advocates and lobbyists instead of professional journalists, the group has successfully used the journalist status as a defense in several court

cases. One of King’s bills would prevent a reporter from relying on the shield law if the reporter or the news organization he works for has made a political expenditure, been a treasurer of a campaign, or controlled a political action committee within the last five years. The other bill tries to change a constitutional privilege created by the First Amendment and recognized in the 1964 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in New York Times v. Sullivan for stories about public officials and public figures. King’s awful reporter’s shield law bill has a Senate companion bill sponsored by Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo. If either bill became law, they would have a chilling effect on news gathering and likely cause a rash of new lawsuits. No matter how you feel about

By Fred Hartman, who can be reached at fbh@hartmannews.com.

Empower Texans, the Texas Legislature shouldn’t be trampling on free speech rights as a way to silence critics. As University of Texas media law professor David Donaldson testified, “I think it’s a very bad idea for the Legislature to become involved in deciding questions about who a journalist is based on their political beliefs or based on their decision to become involved in politics.” This is a misguided effort to change well-established laws that allow reporters to protect their sources and encourage whistleblowers to come forward to report wrongdoing and government corruption. It would also meddle with a long-held legal tradition that allows the press to hold elected officials and other public figures accountable.

In stirring words, President Trump reaffirmed…”With God’s grace, life always triumphs over death… freedom overcomes oppression and faith extinguishes fear. This is the source of our hope and our confidence in the future,” he added. In closing his excellent speech Friday, he said “we are fighting for the right of all citizens to enjoy safety and peace, and to work and live with the dignity that all children of God are entitled to know.” Pray for our president, his cabinet and the godly men and women he has given authority to speak into his life Bettye Petree

Mark Meadows: State opt-out of Obamacare regs key to compromise

“We still believe providing waivers at the state level from many of the Obamacare mandates that drive up costs might be a real path forward so I would say that conversations between moderates and conservatives are very constructive and it’s been due in no small part to the active involvement of the White House and leadership in trying to make sure we get a good bill — a better bill — going forward over to the Senate.” That was U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) offer his optimistic assessment to Breitbart News of ongoing negotiations on legislation in the House of Representatives to repeal and replace Obamacare. That legislation stalled in the House on March 24 after

it failed to garner maRepublicans passed jority support in that budget reconciliachamber. tion legislation, H.R. Probably because 3762, which former it was not going to President Barack bring the costs of inObama vetoed in surance premiums. It 2016, which includfailed to repeal or aded ending Medicaid By Robert dress the Obamacare expansion, premiRomano, insurance regulaum subsidies, costtions, the American senior editor for sharing subsidies, Americans for Medical Associathe individual and Limited tion’s monopoly on employer mandates, Government. doctor certification reinsurance, risk via control of medicorridors and riskcal schools, the Food and Drug adjustment, and the taxes and Administration monopoly on spending from the health care approving new drugs, and the law. government-created state-byInstead, the House prostate insurance monopolies. It posed replacing the individual did not address medical mal- mandate with a “continuous practice reform. coverage” penalty that insurIt did not even meet the ance companies can charge. basic tenets that had passed As reported by Kaiser Health Congress last year. In 2015, News, the “continuous cover-

age” penalty “increases premiums for people who buy insurance if they have gone 63 consecutive days without a policy during the past 12 months. Their premiums would rise by 30 percent and that surcharge would last for a year.” The bill also proposed replacing the exchange plan subsidies with tax credits — which will cost $70 billion a year once fully implemented according to the Congressional Budget Office. The exchanges would remain in place. The plan also subsidizes a national, catastrophiconly insurance plan. Yet, if the plan had just eliminated the insurance regulations and went across state lines to buy insurance, nobody would be talking about new

federal subsidies for health insurance. They’d be saying that insurance got more affordable because market reforms brought the price down. For now, it sounds like Meadows is on the right track with a state opt-out provision. If Congress can agree to go across state lines, too, then the American people will finally have a national, competitive market place for insurance. This will reduce barriers of entry for new insurers, make wider risk pools and finally begin to bring down costs. Meadows sounded optimistic that improvements would be made to the legislation, “I can tell you the president has communicated to me on more than four different occasions that he wants the very best bill possible for the American

people and that he believes that not only will we get a better bill but with everyone’s input — not just conservative members, but conservatives, moderates and those that are in between — that we’ll get a better bill and we’ll shock the American people when they actually see their healthcare insurance premiums come down.” We can hope he is right. If this process results in better legislation, the American people will have Meadows to thank, for holding firm when it looked like House leaders were rushing to get something done without fully considering how to bring down health insurance costs via market reforms and respecting the states. One thing is for sure, a state opt-out would huge.

Federal judge rules Texas voter ID law is discriminatory AUSTIN — U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christi on April 10 ruled the State of Texas has failed to prove that the voter identification law was not written with discriminatory intent and purpose. The ruling came in response to a charge by the New Orleansbased U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that Judge Ramos re-examine the evidence and her 2015 findings in Veasey et al., plaintiffs, v. Greg Abbott et al., defendants. Plaintiffs alleged racial discrimination in violation of the U.S. Voting Rights Act of 1965 in response to the passage of Senate Bill 14 by the Texas Legislature in 2011. The law changed the list of acceptable forms of identification voters may use at polls and enacted other restrictions. The State of Texas argued that the law was passed not with a discriminatory purpose, but to

combat voter fraud at the polls. Ramos wrote that lawyers for the State of Texas failed to demonstrate that the law would have been enacted without a discriminatory purpose. Ramos said SB 14 violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a provision that generally prohibits the enforcement of discriminatory voting laws. Ramos, under a directive issued by the Fifth Circuit last summer, prescribed an interim voting plan for Texas to overcome discriminatory effects in the voter ID law in time for the November 2016 general election. It is up to the Texas Legislature to craft a state law that does not violate the federal voting rights law. Meanwhile, legislation filed in the current session of the Texas Legislature by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, addresses fed-

tonio, Dallas and Austin saw noticeable increases Ed Sterling is the member services diin sales tax allocations,” rector for the Texas Press Association. His column is a weekly aggregation of Hegar said. “The cities of Sugar Land, McAllen, news about the state’s government. Irving and Grand Prairie eral court issues with the voter ID saw noticeable decreases.” law. Huffman’s SB 5 was passed In other news, on April 10, on March 28 by the Republican- Hegar promoted the upcoming dominated Senate on a 21-10, “sales tax holiday” on emergency party-line vote and now awaits a preparation supplies. hearing by the House Elections From April 22 to April 24, Committee. Texans may purchase tax free Hegar distributes revenue items such as batteries, fuel conTexas Comptroller Glenn tainers and flashlights priced at Hegar on April 12 announced his less than $75; hurricane shutters office would send cities, counties, and emergency ladders priced transit systems and special pur- at less than $300; and portable pose taxing districts $620.2 mil- generators priced at less than lion in local sales tax allocations $3,000. for April. Seat belt bill advances The amount is 4.9 percent more The Senate Transportation than in April 2016. These alloca- Committee unanimously in favor tions are based on sales made in of SB 693, legislation that would February by businesses that report require all new school buses purtax monthly. chased by a school district to be “The cities of Houston, San An- equipped with three-point seat By Ed Sterling,

belts. The bill would amend the Transportation Code to expand the type of vehicles to which the three-point seat belt requirement applies to include a “multifunction school activity bus” or a “school-chartered bus.” Multiple school bus accidents in Texas have led to fatalities and caused injuries that could have been prevented if these buses were equipped with threepoint seat belts, said the bill’s author, Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston. “The goal of this legislation is to protect children, prevent injuries, and demonstrate that the State of Texas is serious about the safety of school children. We spend a lot of tax dollars educating children to buckle up. Not requiring them to buckle up on the way to school is inconsistent,” she added. Kubota heads for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on April

7 announced Kubota Tractor Corporation North American headquarters is relocating from Torrance, California, to Grapevine, Texas. The new facility is expected to create more than 340 new jobs and generate $51 million in capital investment. At a ribbon-cutting event, Abbott called Kubota “the model business partner.” Kubota has been one of the largest tractor producers in the United States since 1969. TxDOT cautions drivers The Texas Department of Transportation on April 6 reported work zone fatalities in Texas last year increased 27 percent, resulting in 181 lost lives. Of those fatalities, 174 — 96 percent — were motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. The agency asked motorists to take special care when transiting work zones.

Sports

Section B

The Farmersville Times

April 20, 2017

Much success Track & Field

FISD Sports

April 20 Track: at District 9-3A and 10-3A Area Meet (at Farmersville), TBA

April 21 Baseball: vs Commerce, 7 p.m. Baseball JVP: vs Commerce, 5 p.m. Softball: vs Commerce, 7 p.m. Softball JV: vs Commerce, 5 p.m.

April 22 Baseball: at Brock, 1 p.m.

April 25 Baseball: vs Lone Oak, 7 p.m. Baseball JVP: vs Lone Oak, 4:30 p.m.

April 28 Track: at Class 3A Region II Meet (April 28-29 at Whitehouse’s Wildcat Stadium), TBA

April 29 Track: at Class 3A Region II Meet (April 28-29 at Whitehouse’s Wildcat Stadium), TBA

May 12 Track: at Class 3A State Meet (May 12-13 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin), TBA

May 13 Track: at Class 3A State Meet (May 12-13 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin), TBA

Fishing report Lake Lavon Water stained; 67–70 degrees: 1.30’ low. Black bass are slow on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and bladed jigs. White bass are fair on slabs and minnows. Crappie are slow on minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines and trotlines. Lake Ray Hubbard Water lightly stained; 66–69 degrees; 0.39’ low. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits, Texas rigged craws and swim jigs. Crappie are good on minnows. White bass are fair on slabs and minnows. Hybrid striper are fair on slabs. Catfish are good on rod and reel. Reports courtesy Texas Parks & Wildlife .

Information

Send your information to sports@farmersvilletimes.com or the following call 972-784-6397 or fax 972-782-7023

Wyndi Veigel/The Farmersville Times

Katy Ravsten (back) keeps pace with a Leonard Tiger during the 100-meter hurdles in the April 12-13 District 10-3A meet at Farmersville.

Individuals, relays win medals at Farmersville By David Jenkins Staff Writer

sports@farmersvilletimes.com Farmersville track had medal and trophy winning showings in the April 12-13 District 103A meet at Fightin’ Farmer Stadium. The top four individuals and relays compete Thursday in the District 9-3A and 10-3A meet at the same location. Making the trip from 9-3A are Callisburg, Gunter, Pilot Point, Ponder, Pottsboro, Sadler S&S Consolidated and Whitesboro. Last week in district in the varsity division, the Lady Farmers scored 99 points for third and Farmers were fourth with 80. Earning points (top six) for

the girls were Aubrie Rich (third in 1,600 in 5:49.69 and fourth in 3,200 in 13:02.37), Kylee Davis (sixth in long jump at 15-9), Haley Lewis (second in shot put at 31-5.25), Jasmine Ellis (first in 400 in 1:02.93 and sixth in triple jump at 32-3.25), Chloe Wall (first in pole vault at 9-0), Bella Wall (second in pole vault 8-3 and sixth in 200 in 28.97), Casie McClure (sixth in 800 in 2:44.92 and 1,600 in 6:22.29), Katy Ravsten (fifth in 100 hurdles in 18.49) and Rhiannon Spaulding (third in 100 in 13.30), In relays they were second (400 in 51.10 and 1,600 in 4:14.57) and fourth (800 in 1:49.69). Earning points for the boys were Caleb Twyford (second in triple jump at 41-7.24 and

Baseball

District championship on horizon

fourth in long jump at 20-5.50), Malique Jones (first in triple jump at 41-8.50), Marshall Varner (first in 800 in 2:07.23 and second in 1,600 in 4:53.04), Caleb Young (second in 800 in 2:07.70), Shawn Parker (fourth in 400 in 53.81), Kobie Sheriff (fourth in 300 hurdles in 42.54), They were fourth (400 in 44.85, 800 in 1:34.47 and 1,600 in 3:37.91) in relays. In the junior varsity division, Earning points for the girls were Miryam Arceo (second in 3,200 in 14:43), Brittney Nelson (first in 1,600 in 6:05.28), Cassie McClure (second in 1,600 in 6:07.41 and 800 in 2:45.77), Shelby Hill (sixth in 1,600 in 7:00.48 and 800 in 3:00.68), Keely Valliant (first See JV page 3B

Wyndi Veigel/The Farmersville Times

Cade Twyford gives full out effort to make it to the final line in the 200-meter dash during prelims.

Softball

By David Jenkins Staff Writer

sports@farmersvilletimes.com By the middle of this week Farmers baseball could be calling themselves the District 103A champions. All they needed to do was beat host Leonard on April 18. The Tigers were defeated 3-1 the first time around. “We can win the title this week if we can beat Leonard or win one of the next three,” head coach Jon Nordin said. “Hopefully we can get that done against Leonard.” Farmersville’s last district title came in 13-3A in 2015. Farmersville (18-6-1 overall, 8-1 for first in 10-3A, as of April 17) 7 p.m. Friday welcomes Commerce to town. The Tigers came out on the See BROCK page 5B

David Jenkins/The Farmersville Times

Chase Hacker readies to unleash a pitch during a start against Howe in District 10-3A action at Farmersville.

Rocket shot foul

Keely Valliant fights off a high pitch as she hits it foul down the left field line during a District 10-3A match up with Howe. For the full story and additional photos see 3B.