By MaryJane Farmer for the Van Alstyne News

Since February 14, Van Alstyne Police jailed 2 non-Van Alstyne residents after making traffic stops on their vehicles, as reported by VAPD Lt. Steven Hayslip. They also jailed several others on charges of Driving While Intoxicated.

The DWIs are not being covered today.

February 14 — At about 11:30 p.m., officers initiated a traffic stop on US 75 at Hodges Road. The officers made the stop after clocking the vehicle traveling 94 miles per hour in a 75-mph zone. When the patrol car’s overhead lights were turned on, the driving didn’t readily stop. While behind it, they saw the driver (and only occupant) throw something out of the window, which, when recovered, was found to be illegal contraband.

Once the vehicle stopped, the officers conducted a probable-cause search of it, and found marijuana and various articles of drug paraphernalia. They placed the suspect, a Sherman man, under arrest on charges of Tampering w/Evidence and for Possession of Marijuana less than two ounces.

February 21  _— Aweek later, at about 3:30 in the morning, police stopped to help with a motorist assist on U.S. 75 at  Redden Road. Upon making contact with the sole occupant, a man with a Bonham address, they watched as he became more nervous and uncooperative. He provided them with several false names and became irritated and resisted when officers detained him. They continued the investigation and located a small amount of methamphetamine in his possession.

Police jailed the suspect on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and of Resisting Arrest

Grayson County Jail records show that this suspect remains incarcerated on those charges, and with an Immigration & Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) hold since added.

Grayson County Grand Jury Indictments

The Grand Jury meets every two weeks. It’s responsibility is to decide whether there is enough evidence to formally charge someone with a crime. An Indictment means there was enough evidence to have the case go further, but does not indicate guilt.

The Grand Jury, at the most recent session, indicted Van Alstyne resident Sally Hannah Prikryl, age 29, on charges of Assault of Hospital Personnel on Hospital Property and of Abandoning/Endangering a Child/Individual with Intent.

They also indicted, among many other people and for many other charges, a Sherman man on 25 counts of 5 Possession of Child Pornography >50 Depiction or Video.

Press Release from 2911 Media

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Some of country music’s biggest and brightest stars have come together to help raise money and awareness for the Las Vegas-based national law enforcement organization The Wounded Blue, which helps improve the lives of injured and disabled officers. Cody Johnson, Ronnie Dunn (of Brooks & Dunn,) Travis Tritt, Craig Morgan, LeeAnn Womack, Tracy Lawrence, Jon Pardi, Marty Stuart, John Anderson, Neal McCoy, Steve Wariner, Crystal Gayle, Larry Gatlin, Aaron Lewis, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Randy Houser, Trace Adkins, Deana Carter, Mark Chesnutt, Gary Morris, and many more have all taken the time to autograph multiple Epiphone acoustic guitars for this fundraising effort. Fans, corporate partners, or anyone supporting law enforcement can purchase any of these signed guitars for $1,000 each by going to guitars4cops.com.

The law enforcement profession has always been inherently dangerous in terms of physical safety, but the current climate in terms of violence, anti-law enforcement rhetoric, agenda-driven politicians, and societal issues has created a far more dangerous environment for America’s police.

Neal McCoy, who played the 2022 Sounds of Summer in Van Alstyne, is one of many who has signed a guitar to be purchased, with the money going to help wounded law enforcement.

“These wildfires are horrible and everyone is in disbelief of the devastation,” said Neal McCoy. “Not only are our firefighters in danger, but so our all of our first responders including law enforcement.  If signing guitars helps give those in need some comfort, it is the least that I can do.  Our prayers are with all those affected by these wildfires.”

Recognizing that approximately 50,000 American law enforcement officers are assaulted every year in the United States, with even more injured in traffic accidents, training accidents, and other assorted misfortunes while on duty, it was clear that help was needed. Additionally, many more are affected by PTSI (Post Traumatic Stress Injury). The term PTSI as opposed to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is used because the condition is often treatable to the point of it NOT becoming a “disorder;” but in many cases it, too, becomes an incapacitating injury. Most Americans seem to assume that in the event of sustaining on-duty injuries, law enforcement agencies and the local, county, and state governments that employ them would be responsible for taking care of them financially, medically, and psychologically, as these injuries are incurred while serving the people they swore to protect. Unfortunately, the reality is often quite different. Officers who are hurt often lose a major portion of their salaries during their healing process (if the injuries are only temporarily disabling) and also often lose the ability to earn enough to feed their families.

All of this has led to Randy Sutton’s creation of The Wounded Blue. The Wounded Blue Mission: To improve the lives of injured and disabled law enforcement officers through support, education, assistance, and legislation. The Wounded Blue was founded to help injured law enforcement build and administer an Emergency Financial Aid Fund, create a system of effective and caring peer support, be a resource for competent and effective legal counsel, and advocate for stronger laws and protection for the American law enforcement officer, all while remaining an advocate for the positive public perception of law enforcement.

Diamonds Grocery as seen from the NE side.

By Mary Jane Farmer for the Van Alstyne News

The end-of-year saw city groups making two major real estate purchases.

The Van Alstyne Community and Economic Development Corporation, a non-profit organization funded by dedicated sales tax, purchased both the now-closed Diamonds Grocery and the historic and former First Baptist Church building, sharing the property line on Marshall Street. The total for these two purchases is $2.6 Million with the old Diamonds building going for $1.4 million and $1.2 million for the church.

Former First. Baptist Church. The new church is at 565 Collin Mckinney Pkwy.

VACEDC executive director David Ellis explained that is the development corporation’s mission is “foster the commercial and retail business community in Van Alstyne while also enhancing the quality (of life) for its residents.” He added that they recruit and retain quality business that increase the commercial tax base and bring quality jobs to the city. By growing the commercial tax base, the city can provide the quality services citizens demand such as public safety, roads, parks and trails while reducing the property tax burden.

On December 20, the CDC closed on the purchases, with secured funding with Sales Tax Revenue Bonds. The City Council approved all this at its November 20 meeting. Ellis said they did offer to lease Diamonds back to its former owner for $1 per year, if he should want to reopen another grocery store, but the owner declined in favor of retirement.

The first and most important goal for the corporation is to market the Diamonds location to another grocer. If that isn’t done, they will continue to market another grocery store to come in another location. For the time being, Dollar General has a limited supply of groceries as do the various convenience stores.

Diamonds Grocery, as seen from the south side.

The Corporation allowed the First Baptist Church to retain ownership of the old building’s stained-glass windows, which were carefully removed and given to parishioners. Ellis said, too, that the new church plans to donate some historical items to the city’s museum and the Corporation may use some others for the CDC’s potential use in a future development.

There are no set-in-stone immediate plans for either building, but there will not be demolition nor will either be turned into a parking lot. The CDC is working with a consultant to evaluate the properties, conduct a market study and determine the highest and best use. They will work with an architect to produce renderings and other materials to market the property. “Lastly,” Ellis said, “we will locate a quality developer who shares our community’s values and can deliver a project that will make us proud.” There is a need to develop the downtown to be a center of civic activity, shopping, cultural experience and other activities, Ellis added.

Manuel Josse Hernandez

Van Alstyne, Texas – At about 8 a.m. on Sunday (January 5, 2025), Van Alstyne Police Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a carjacking in the area of the 400 block of North State Highway 5 (Waco Street). The victim reported that an unknown man approached him and took his vehicle while he was standing by the vehicle.

The suspect, dressed entirely in black including a black face covering, threatened the victim with a firearm. The suspect demanded the victim’s vehicle keys and all of his money, telling the victim that he was “not playing.”

Fearing for his safety, the victim complied.

Officers responded quickly, arriving within minutes of the call, but were unable to locate the vehicle. However, investigators were able to obtain video surveillance footage showing the suspect moments before the incident occurred. Additionally, the vehicle’s information was entered into the Van Alstyne PD’s License Plate Recognition System. As officers continued to follow leads, the License Plate Recognition System provided a hit confirmation at about 12:30 p.m., noting that the stolen vehicle was traveling in Anna, headed toward Van Alstyne. Officers then tracked the vehicle as it continued south on US 75. Police initiated a  traffic stop, but the suspect attempted to evade police, leading to a high-speed pursuit.

The chase took officers through the cities of Anna, Melissa, McKinney, Fairview, and Allen. The pursuit reached its peak when the suspect vehicle exited at Ridgeview Drive in Allen, made a U-turn, and returned northbound on US 75. The suspect exited the highway in McKinney and drove through a construction barrier, entering a nearby residential area. Upon abandoning the vehicle, the suspect fled on foot. A K9 unit from the McKinney PD was called in to assist with the search. They located the suspect, later identified as Manuel Jose Hernandez, and  took him into custody without further incident. Hernandez was booked into the Grayson County Jail and charged with Aggravated Robbery, Evading Arrest with a Vehicle, and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Hayslip said there was some damage to the stolen car’s front end, made when the suspect broke through the construction barrier in McKinney.

Hernandez remained incarcerated Monday in lieu of $155,000 total bail on the three charges. Jail records show Hernandez to be from Van Alstyne.

Law enforcement officers from Anna, Melissa, McKinney, and Fairview police departments; Collin County Sheriff’s Office; and Texas Game Warden assisted Van Alstyne police. “Their collaborative efforts were instrumental in ensuring the peaceful resolution of this dangerous situation,” Hayslip said.

“This incident remains under investigation,” Hayslip said. “The Van Alstyne Police Department urges anyone with additional information to contact the Department.” That phone number is 903-482-5252, or one could E-Mail Hayslip at shayslip@vanalstynepolice.com

First appeared in the July 2024 issue of Texoma Farm and Home magazine. By Mary Jane Farmer 

 “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” — Maya Angelou

The sounds of vigorous hand clapping and yahoos brought the Split Window (Recording) Studio to full life, from the moment Dustin Perkins belted out his first song until he completed his Sunday afternoon concert.

Dustin is working on his latest album now, utilizing the mystical magic that combines his music and his band’s input with that of (Denison’s) Split Window producers.

Music is not Dustin Perkins’ only artistic talent. The Okie excels in creating works of art that grace people’s homes or businesses. Walls, doors, kitchen or office cabinet doors, anything and everything defining unique wood art.

Yeppers, the man is artistic in the truest sense of the word — there’s no doubt.

Music

“The more I sing, the more I pay attention to the words I put into my songs,” the Texan-turned-Okie explained. His songs almost always have a positive spin on them. For instance “Luckiest Man Alive” — “There’s a hole in my pocket, about to run out…The phone keeps a ringin’ every time it gets quiet around here,” etc. But Perkins is quite certain he’s the “luckiest man alive.”

Perkins’ dedication to his music let him hit the road on his “Bag of Bones” tour, about a decade ago. He set out without any firm gigs scheduled. Instead, when he’d hit a town that looked promising, he’d manage to get that guitar out and make new fans with his style and songs. The tour lasted quite a few weeks, and ended with a scheduled show at the now-shuttered Hank’s Texas Grill. His fans packed the house, so delighted Dustin was back within listening distance.

One has to wonder if one of Perkins’ newer songs, “Doing My Best to Get Back Home,” stemmed from that Bag of Bones Tour.

The artist took about a 10-year break from singing and songwriting and performing. What did he do during those 10 years? Well, he said, “I didn’t understand life’s up and downs. Getting out of music wasn’t my choice. The first couple of years I was really bitter and did not understand my life.

“Then, I spent the better part of the 3^rd year getting in touch with God. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t hearing from Him. Then I realized I had to change my perspective, that was all I really needed. I started realizing how blessed I was.

“I couldn’t change situations, but, through self-reflection and self-improvement, I could change the way I look and feel. You don’t got nothin’ if you don’t have love. I had love and had walked away from it. My band mates, my family, God’s love… not romantic love…  just appreciation for it all,” the father of two explained.

Perkins got into the music business when he was 15 years old, and that was 22 years ago. During that time, he’s released four albums; and he’s released the first song off this 5^th project, a song appropriately called “Long Time Comin’”

The full album is due out sometime in August and will be available on all platforms.

Dustin said he’s got absolutely zero, zip, nada, zilch plans to hire a radio promoter for it in hopes of having a chart-maker. “I’ll send the songs out, old-school, and if there’s any interest, the DJs will play it. The game has changed so much — it’s more about getting on the Spotify charts. But, the response so far has been super good.

“I am a different human than I was 10 years ago. Different perspective, more financially stable, more patient. It seems to be working. Every radio station has eat us up.”

One thing hasn’t changed. In the past, Dustin was known for almost always having new merchandise to offer fans at his gigs. That hasn’t and isn’t changing. When he and the band (all long-time musican/friends) recently played at Texas Music Revolution, he had Dustin Perkins sunglasses, along with a unique and hand-crafted tobacco pipeline made from wood scraps. “And the moneys go back into the business,” he said.

Wood business

Perkins has worked at ‘real’ jobs during these decades, and has an unmatchable work ethic. During his 10-year hiatus, he worked in construction. And some of that time was with land developer Dan Barney. “He was pushing over 200-year-old trees and putting them in brush piles, making the land ready for future development,” Perkins explained. “I said ‘Why don’t you buy a sawmill?’” Dan said he’d buy the saw mill and teach Dustin how to best use it, and he’d make sure that the trees were made available to him. “I told him I’d love to have something like this someday. A couple of years later, he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. He had already given me an appreciation and skills to make custom doors, counter tops and such, and how to run all the equipment. Then, he turned this business over to me.

“It’s been a blessing beyond measure. I never dreamed I’d have this business.”

Perkins said he’s still learning, and calls Dan once a day to talk over the process. “He has saved me so many miles.”

The wood business is called “Perkins One Creek Millworks” and is located in Snow, Oklahoma, about 18 miles north of Perkins’ Antlers home.

So, when asked if this work is another expression of Perkins’ artistry, he answered without hesitation, “Very much so. A lot of stuff I build is out of the lumber made from those 200-year-old trees. I told Dan the other day that I feel so blessed because there is never a day that I hate getting out of bed.
“I am blessed, surrounded with the people who love me. I couldn’t dream up a better life than what I have going on right now.
“ I’m so grateful for all the support from all my fans, I couldn’t do without. It’s amazing to see so many faces in the crowd. Anybody and everybody I have met and love. A big thank you to all the fans customers.”

Dustin is closing out July in style. He will be playing from 6:30-8:30 pm Monday (July 29) at El Patio Escondido, 495 W Van Alstyne Parkway, in Van Alstyne. And on July. 27, he’ll be in Kingston at the Alberta Creek Resort & Marina, 9040 Clear Lake Drive.

Then comes Sunday, July 28, when he’s again headlining Bells on Broadway, at 205 S Broadway. That runs from 4-8 p.m. and is a benefit for a Bells family.