Paxton Takes on Sagebrush Lizard
September 24, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently announced that Texas will be suing the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Biden administration officials for declaring a rare lizard endangered earlier this year.
The dunes sagebrush lizard lives the southeastern part of New Mexico and west Texas. They rely on a species of oak to make their homes cooler. Shinnery oaks are only four or five feet high, but they provide food, shade and a breeding grounds the lizard and other species. Under the shade of these oak trees, the dunes sagebrush lizard buries itself in the cool, sand, avoiding predators and regulating its body temperature.
The shinnery oak groves have been sprayed with herbicides to make way for cattle grazing across the region. Data on the actual numbers of lizards left and whether or not they are indeed threatened is still coming in.
For 40 years biologist have sent warnings to the federal government that the lizard’s habitat is being threatened.
Paxton is concerned that putting the lizard on the protected list will scare of oil and gas producers and negatively affect the Texas economy. In a statement, Paxton said the listing of the lizard was a violation of the Endangered Species Act, adding that the Fish and Wildlife Service “failed to rely on the best scientific and commercial data” when declaring the lizard endangered and did not take into account conservation efforts already in place to protect the lizard.
Black Cricket Time is Near
September 24, 2024 – Black field crickets, also known as Gryllus assimilis, are a common pest in Texas, especially in late summer and fall. Here are some facts to know about these these pesky critters:
Black crickets are known to resurge when a summer drought is broken by heavy rainfall. They take this opportunity to swarm, find mates and lay eggs.
During the day, black field crickets hide underground, but come out at night to feed. They can enter homes through small cracks or holes to escape the cold.
They don’t have any venom or poison that can cause neurological damage or numbing like scorpions, and while they do have mouths that can chew and bite, they generally don’t bite people. They do however attract a multitude of other predators. The damage that isn’t done to humans is instead done to their property.
Black field crickets can lay up to 400 eggs at a time, which hatch in the spring and turn into adults in the fall.
Black field crickets can damage carpets, fabrics, and wood, and they can spread bacteria.
To get rid of black field crickets, you can:
- Apply insecticide bug spray in corners and along windowsills
- Place glue cricket traps in basements and kitchens
- Use dim lightbulbs for outdoor fixtures
- Maintain your yard regularly
- Seal all parts of your home
- Have a professional spray your home
Superintendent Steeber Addresses Latest Threat to SSISD
September 24, 2024 – Dr. Deana Steeber, Superintendent of Sulphur Springs ISD sent a letter to teachers, staff, and parents in the district outlining her displeasure with what has become a rash of threats to schools in the district. Over the past weekend, a 14 year old female student who attends SSMS was charged with a felony charge of making a terroristic threat through social media. Dr. Steeber stated in part that SSISD takes any and all threats against students or campuses to be serious and the district will “continue to advocate for those caught participating in this type of behavior to be prosecuted to the maximum extent allowed by law.”
Social media has recently been the avenue of choice for the recent threats and Dr. Steeber issued a warning to parents of how the parent’s knowledge of what their students are posting online is vitally important to the safety of all students. Dr. Steeber also encouraged parents and students to help report any threatening behavior they see or hear on social media to SSISD administration or SSISD law enforcement.
The latest letter to Wildcat families clarified that students that are caught making threats against the school district would, “will not step foot on their home campus for the remainder of the school year.” In addition the student would not be allowed to attend any other school events, including graduation ceremonies and other activites including any sports, fine arts, or extracurricular activites for the remainder of the school year.
Dr. Steeber also tried to calm the fears of students, parents, and SSISD staff as she closed out her letter with: “I think it is important to state again that we will not live in fear. We will be smat, cautious, and discerning with all information received. However, we will not allow those who seek to bring chaos and confusion to steal the joys of a normal and healthy school year from our students who are choosing to do right. We stand ready to make this behavior stop. We stand read to protect our students and staff using any means necessary.”
Dr. Steeber’s full letter is posted below.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Files Appeal to Prevent Unlawful State Fair of Texas Firearms Ban From Taking Effect
As it stands today, you will not be allowed to bring a firearm into the State Fair of Texas. This is subject to change, although experts agree that Paxton’s appeal has only a small chance of overturning the recent decision to ban firearms.
September 24, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an appeal with the 15th Court of Appeals, asking the court to prevent the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas from imposing a firearms ban on government-owned property in violation of Texas law.
The City of Dallas owns Fair Park and leases the property to the State Fair of Texas, a nonprofit organization, for the management of the annual event. Earlier this year, the State Fair announced that it would be banning people with license to carry permits from exercising their rights at Fair Park. Such a policy directly violates state law which permits licensed gun owners to carry in places owned or leased by governmental entities unless otherwise prohibited by law.
In August 2024, Attorney General Paxton sent a notice letter to the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas warning that the firearms ban was unlawful and then sued to stop the ban from taking effect. A district court denied the Office of the Attorney General’s motion for a temporary injunction against the ban, prompting Attorney General Paxton to file an appeal with the 15th Court of Appeals.
Now, Attorney General Paxton has asked the court to grant emergency temporary relief prohibiting the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas from preventing handgun-license holders from lawfully carrying their firearms on fairgrounds.
“The City of Dallas and the Texas State Fair are not above the law, and we are seeking emergency relief to uphold Texans’ Constitutionally-protected Second Amendment rights,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The State Fair’s policy—by which law-abiding citizens could not defend themselves—does not make the environment safer, it merely gives an advantage to criminals looking for victims.”
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” Coming to State Museum
September 23, 2024 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Film Commission in conjunction with the Bob Bullock State History Museum today announced the revival of the Texas Focus Film Series, which spotlights films made by, for, and about Texans. The 2024 Texas film series will kick off October 18 with a special 50th anniversary screening of “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” filmed in Texas and released in 1974. A panel discussion with the film’s original cast and crew will be held immediately following the screening.
“Texas has a rich and fascinating film history that spans over 100 years, with iconic feature films and TV shows produced in every corner of our great state,” said Governor Abbott. “Celebrating and growing media production industries in Texas helps to spur local job creation. I thank the Texas Film Commission and the Bullock Museum for hosting the Texas Focus Film Series that presents the cinematic exploration of the Texas story through Texas talent and storytelling against the Lone Star State’s expansive backdrop.”
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” was one of the first films the Texas Film Commission helped secure for filming and production in Texas. The special screening is Friday, October 18, in the Texas Spirit Theater at the Bullock State History Museum. Doors open at 6 pm for the 7 pm start. For more information on the Texas Focus Film Series, 50th anniversary screening, and tickets, visit: gov.texas.gov/film/event/texas-focus-the-texas-chain-saw-massacre-50th-anniversary-screening.
For more than 50 years, the Texas Film Commission has helped grow local jobs and economies by promoting Texas as the premier destination for film, television, commercial, animation, visual effects, video game, and extended reality production. The Texas Film Commission in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism has attracted more than $2 billion in local spending and created more than 189,000 production jobs across the state since 2007.
The Finke Finance Labs at TAMUC Invest in Student Success
The Finkes’ $1 million endowment provides invaluable resources for business students.
COMMERCE, TX, Sept. 23, 2024—Texas A&M University-Commerce hosted a special dedication ceremony on Thursday, September 12, to celebrate the renaming of two finance labs in the College of Business. The Nathan and June Finke Finance Labs are located on the university’s main campus and at A&M-Commerce at Dallas.
In 2023, Nathan and June Finke generously committed $1 million to support the finance labs and provide other invaluable resources for business students. The dedication was a heartfelt tribute to the couple’s enduring commitment to higher education and joyful spirit of giving. Faculty, staff, students and guests packed into the finance lab to share in the celebration. Special guests included June Finke, niece Ann Marie Roberts and nephew Craig Roberts, executive vice president of Guaranty Bank & Trust. Several other family members were also in attendance, many of whom are A&M-Commerce alumni.
A collaborative learning space
The Finke Finance Labs offer collaborative spaces where students can engage in hands-on learning as they prepare for their business careers. They enable students to achieve personal financial literacy and learn wealth management and investment strategies using cutting-edge tools.
The lab on the Commerce campus features 24 state-of-the-art computer stations, whiteboard workspaces, and a stock ticker broadcasting the latest stock market information. The Dallas finance lab offers similar amenities, ensuring students at both locations benefit equally from this incredible resource.
Enhanced education for business students
The Finkes’ gift will significantly enhance the educational experience for business students. It will support student scholarships as well as operations, programming and staffing in the finance labs.
FactSet data platform
A major highlight of the Finke’s gift is a subscription to FactSet, a powerful financial data platform. This resource allows students to access real-time global market data, research historical market data and manage investment portfolios.
Scott Wheeler, interim dean of the College of Business at A&M-Commerce, emphasized that students may access FactSet from their computers wherever they are, not just in the finance labs.
“It’s a very deep tool that is used by professional analysts in the real world,” he said.
Student-managed fund
Notably, the Finkes’ gift will also establish a student-managed investment fund. The fund will allow business students to make real investment decisions using FactSet data under faculty guidance.
“The student-managed fund will help differentiate our university and put us in a league with some of the biggest and best business schools where students actually manage real money so that they can grow it and turn it into something bigger and more beneficial for future students,” Wheeler said.
LinkedIn and social media labs
Other unique offerings in the finance labs will include LinkedIn labs where students can build their professional online presence, and social media labs to support student organizations. The labs will also host business classes and tutoring for business math.
A spirit of joyful giving
The Finke’s gift is not their first to A&M-Commerce. Over the years, they have established numerous endowments and scholarship programs, as well as The Lion Food Pantry. Through prudent long-term investing, they have assisted students with their financial needs and provided transformational educational opportunities.
At the dedication, Devin Girod, vice president for Philanthropy and Engagement at A&M-Commerce, emphasized that the Finkes’ joyful spirit of generosity has impacted thousands of students over the years.
“I rarely see people that embody the spirit of joyful and generous giving [as much] as June and Nathan,” Girod said.
Investing in others
Beyond philanthropy, the Finkes hope to inspire the next generation of leaders and givers. Wheeler emphasized that the skills students gain in the finance labs will empower them to follow in the Finkes’ footsteps of financial success and generosity.
“Nathan Finke’s favorite quote was ‘You work to make a living; you invest to make money,’ Wheeler said. “The Finke Finance Labs will further Nathan and June’s goals of teaching people how to make money so they can do good things with it. And that’s where I think their gift is going to have the greatest impact.”
Honoring the Finkes
Nathan, a 1970 Texas A&M University graduate, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance on a tennis scholarship and went on to build a successful career in institutional investment management. His career took him to prominent institutions such as First National Bank, Bank One, and U.S. Trust Company in Dallas. Sadly, Nathan passed away on November 29, 2023, just a day after his 76th birthday.
June graduated from East Texas State University (now A&M-Commerce) in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in English and History/Secondary Education. She later became a government bond trader at First National Bank in Dallas, where she met Nathan. They married in 1971 and shared a large extended family, including nine nieces and nephews and 20 great-nieces and nephews.
Nathan was an avid fisherman who enjoyed trips to Alaska and Canada. June loves spending time with family, traveling, reading and playing bridge. Nathan’s passing was a great loss, but his and June’s enduring legacy of supporting education will make a difference for future generations.
A lasting legacy
The Nathan and June Finke Finance Labs are more than just physical spaces. They represent the Finkes’ deep commitment to empowering students and making financial education more accessible. The Finkes’ transformative gift will enrich the lives of countless students, preparing them to invest in their futures with knowledge and confidence.
Native Grasslands by Mario Villarino
September 23, 2024 – Native pastures are vital ecosystems for livestock, wildlife, and land conservation, and the **Texas A&M AgriLife Extension** provides extensive resources for their effective management. Native pastures consist of indigenous grasses, forbs, and shrubs that naturally thrive in local climates and soils, without the need for human intervention. These lands are key to sustaining livestock, promoting biodiversity, and enhancing soil and water health. AgriLife Extension offers guidance in several critical areas to help landowners maximize the value of native pastures.
Native Grass Identification and Preservation: AgriLife Extension offers detailed information on identifying native grasses like little bluestem and switchgrass. These native species are resilient, drought-tolerant, and well-suited to Texas’s environmental conditions. Maintaining these pastures through proper grazing practices—such as rotational grazing—ensures that native grasses remain productive and healthy. By resting pastures and allowing grasses to recover, landowners can prevent overgrazing and extend the lifespan of native plants.
Grazing and Stocking Rates
AgriLife recommends strategies for grazing management, focusing on appropriate stocking rates and rotational systems to prevent pasture degradation. By carefully managing livestock movements, ranchers can avoid overgrazing, which leads to soil erosion and the spread of invasive species. AgriLife helps ranchers assess their pastures’ carrying capacity, ensuring that livestock density matches the forage available, protecting the longevity of the ecosystem.
Restoration of Degraded Lands For landowners dealing with overgrazed or invasive species-infested pastures, AgriLife provides guidance on pasture rehabilitation. This can include the re-seeding of native grasses, controlling invasive species through prescribed burns, and implementing mechanical or chemical removal methods. These strategies help restore the natural balance of the ecosystem, ensuring long-term pasture viability.
Soil and Water Conservation: Healthy native pastures improve soil structure and reduce erosion. AgriLife promotes practices like minimizing soil disturbance and maintaining plant cover to enhance soil health and water retention. Native grasses, with deep root systems, are particularly effective at retaining moisture, promoting groundwater recharge, and preventing runoff.
Wildlife Habitat Management: AgriLife also highlights the importance of native pastures for wildlife conservation. Properly managed native grasslands support a variety of wildlife species, including pollinators, birds, and large game. By balancing livestock production with wildlife-friendly practices, landowners can foster a more diverse and sustainable ecosystem.
AgriLife Extension offers educational programs, workshops, and expert resources to guide landowners in sustainably managing their native pastures. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Dinner Bell for September 25, 2024
i Focus Vision celebrated its fourth birthday in business on September 1 under the helm of two qualified and personable optometrists: Dr. Andrew Yoder and Dr. Daniel Ewing. Their services include bifocals, cataract care, contact lenses, diabetic eye services, emergency ophthalmology care, eye exams, eyeglasses and much more. Plus, they have an eye glass store. In the month of September, their large inventory of eye catching sunglasses is on sale at a discount of 25%. This summer the business ran a special for children before the start of school at $175 for an eye exam and single vision glasses.
Dr. Daniel Ewing is a recent addition to the practice. He specializes in fitting contact lenses for corneal disease and abnormal reflective errors.
Although this practice has recently celebrated its fourth anniversary, its history runs deep to Drs. James and John Crawford who relinquished their practice, dating from 1934, to Dr. William Bryant and Dr. Keith Allison. From them, the mantle in ophthalmology excellence in Sulphur Springs was passed onto Dr. Yoder and Dr. Wilemon.
Grab and Go with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway (Porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus starting around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU:
5 Ingredient Ground Beef Casserole
Seasoned Mixed Vegetables
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread Slices
Do Nothing Cake
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst!
Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Biden Administration Over Attempt to Undermine Texas Oil and Gas Industries by Weaponizing Environmental Law
September 23, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Biden Administration officials for unlawfully classifying the dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species in violation of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”).
The Wildlife Service failed to rely on the best scientific and commercial data available when making its designation as required by law and therefore made inaccurate and arbitrary assumptions about the current and future status of the species. Further, the regulation classifying the dunes sagebrush lizard as endangered did not take into consideration the ongoing voluntary conservation efforts already in place at a local and state level. Because of this, the federal government’s action would unduly undermine vital economic development in the Permian Basin, subjecting Texas industries and private landowners to regulatory uncertainty and ambiguity about what they can do with their own land.
On July 25, Attorney General Paxton notified the Biden Administration that the listing violated the ESA and that he would sue if the error was not reversed. As the improper classification has not been retracted, the Office of the Attorney General filed suit, asking the court to find that the agencies acted arbitrarily and capriciously in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and the ESA.
“The Biden-Harris Administration’s unlawful misuse of environmental law is a backdoor attempt to undermine Texas’s oil and gas industries which help keep the lights on for America,” said Attorney General Paxton. “I warned that we would sue over this illegal move, and now we will see them in court.”
North Texas Food Bank and State Fair of Texas Announce “Feed the Need” Food Drive with Special Discounts
Fairgoers can receive discounts on opening day and each Wednesday of the Fair while giving back to the community.
DALLAS, TX, September 23, 2024 –As the State Fair of Texas prepares to open its gates on Friday, September 27, it is teaming up once again with the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) for the annual “Feed the Need” food drive, presented by Kroger. This collaboration aims to support those facing hunger across North Texas.
Since 2010, the State Fair of Texas has partnered with NTFB to collect over 3.5 million pounds of canned food through this initiative. “We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with the North Texas Food Bank, which last year resulted in approximately 218,000 pounds of canned goods – equivalent to 181,000 meals,” said Jennifer Schuder, Senior Vice President of Customer Engagement for the State Fair of Texas. “We’re excited to offer fairgoers an opportunity to contribute to a great cause while enjoying the Fair’s many attractions.”
Special Discounts for Food Donations
Opening Day – Friday, September 27
Visitors who bring two 16-ounce plastic jars of peanut butter to donate will receive a $10 admission voucher. Donations will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and are part of NTFB’s Peanut Butter Drive.
Feed the Need Every Wednesday
On Wednesdays throughout the Fair, attendees who donate five full-size canned food items will receive a $5 admission voucher. Donations will be collected from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Volunteer Opportunities
NTFB is seeking volunteers for these events. Those interested can sign up at www.ntfb.org/statefair. Volunteers will receive a special “Feed the Need” shirt and a State Fair voucher for future use.
“The ‘Feed the Need’ drive is our largest canned food event, and we are grateful to the State Fair of Texas and Kroger for their support,” said Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of NTFB. “With 1 in 5 children in our service area facing hunger, this event plays a crucial role in providing meals to those in need.”
Kroger has been a dedicated partner of NTFB for over 40 years, contributing significantly through its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste program. Last year, Kroger provided 4.6 million nutritious meals to the food bank.
“Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste program is focused on creating a hunger-free community,” said John Votava, Director of Corporate Affairs at Kroger. “We are proud to support the State Fair of Texas and North Texas Food Bank in this important effort.”
For more information on how to get involved or to volunteer, visit www.ntfb.org/statefair.
