For All Souls’ Day, CBP’s Laredo Field Office Reminds Public of Prohibited Agricultural Items
October 25, 2024 – LAREDO, Texas — As the U.S.-Mexico border community observes the All Souls’ Day (Día de los Muertos) holiday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials representing Laredo Field Office ports of entry are advising the traveling public that certain agricultural items used in holiday decorations are prohibited from entry to the U.S. and can carry harmful pests and disease, such as the citrus greening disease. Also, CBP would like to remind the public of prohibited fruits that tend to be brought by travelers during this holiday period.
“As All Souls’ Day draws near, CBP agriculture specialists at South Texas ports of entry tend to see an increase in travelers bringing agricultural items from Mexico to decorate altares to honor their departed loved ones and want to remind them not to bring in prohibited citrus and floral arrangement fillers,” said Director, Field Operations Donald Kusser, Laredo Field Office. “Our CBP agriculture specialists conduct agricultural examinations every day, and their work is critical in preventing plant pests and diseases not known to exist in the U.S. from establishing themselves and inflicting ecological and economic harm on American agriculture.”
During Allhallowtide season, which encompasses the three days of Halloween (Oct. 31) All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Día de los Muertos in Spanish) (Nov. 2) many border community families celebrate Día de los Muertos by constructing altares (altars) to commemorate the lives of loved ones that have passed on. A common type of ornamental greenery known as murraya or orange jasmine is often used in the construction of altares. Murraya is a host plant for the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, an insect that can carry citrus greening disease and is therefore prohibited from entry into the U.S.
Citrus greening, also known as “huanglongbing,” is a disease caused by a bacterium that can infect most citrus varieties and some ornamental plants (such as orange jasmine); this disease was first detected in the U.S. in 2005 in the state of Florida, Miami-Dade County. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the disease has seriously affected citrus production in India, Asia, Southeast Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and Africa.
Citrus fruit that is prohibited from personal importation includes the following: oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, sour oranges and sweet limes. Other popular fruits that also are prohibited include guavas, mangoes, peaches and pomegranates.
Failure to declare prohibited agricultural items also can result in fines. Penalties for personal importations of undeclared, prohibited agricultural items, depending on the severity of the violation, can run as high as $500 and up to more than $250,000 for commercial importations.
The traveling public can learn more about bringing food items into the U.S. For more information regarding prohibited fruits, vegetables, prepared foods and other items, please consult CBP’s Know Before You Go guide.
Please also see detailed information about USDA guidelines for entering the U.S. while traveling with agricultural products from another country.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Takes Action After Biden-Harris Administration Selectively Targets Elon Musk’s Voter Registration Drives
October 25, 2024 – Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) to investigate the federal agency’s intimidation of businessman Elon Musk over his voter registration program that performs outreach to supporters of First and Second Amendment rights.
Musk’s super PAC has launched programs to encourage eligible American citizens to register to vote in various states. Reports surfaced that DOJ threatened Musk over the organization’s activities after Democrat politicians called the program “deeply concerning.” Attorney General Paxton filed a FOIA request for DOJ documents pertaining to actions against Musk and the super PAC.
At the same time, however, the Biden-Harris Administration has refused to cooperate with Attorney General Paxton’s efforts to ensure that noncitizens have not illegally registered to vote in Texas, and the Administration is openly hostile toward States with election integrity initiatives to prevent noncitizens from illegally voting.
On October 22, Attorney General Paxton sued the Administration for refusing to comply with federal law requiring them to assist States in verifying the citizenship status of potentially ineligible people registered to vote.
“The Biden-Harris Administration has egregiously weaponized the justice system against political opponents for the past four years,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Now, DOJ is selectively targeting Elon Musk’s voter registration drive while actively undermining States’ efforts to secure elections against noncitizen voters and potential fraud. At every turn, the federal government has become adversarial to States as we work to protect fair elections and the rule of law in this country.”
Learn how to Deal With Feral Hogs on this Episode of A Second Cup Of Coffee
On this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, John Mark sat down with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Hopkins County Agent Mario Villarino-Gutierrez. The two chatted about the current drought, how to deal with Feral Hogs, the current status of hay, and much more. Check out this episode of A Second Cup Of Coffee below and see what you learn.
Hopkins County United Way Sent a Pledge Update
October 24, 2024 – The Hopkins County Untied Way Campaign Workers held a pledge meeting October 22nd, 2024, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Packages were turned in and totals were added up. Executive Security Susan Berning reports, “… Campaign pledges to date total $74,784.67! We will meet again this coming Tues., Oct. 29… ” Show your support and donate to the Hopkins County United Way. It’s for a great cause.
Texas A&M University-Commerce Honoring Those Who Served at 34th Annual Veterans Vigil
October 24, 2024 – This year’s annual installment features guest speaker U.S. Navy Chief Gunnersmate Vic Tornero (Ret.)
COMMERCE, TX, October 24, 2024—Texas A&M University-Commerce continues its tradition of honoring our nation’s veterans with the 34th installment of the Veterans Vigil, scheduled for Friday, November 8 at the Rayburn Student Center (RSC) on the university campus. The public is encouraged to attend.
Schedule of Events
The vigil will begin with a light breakfast reception at 10 a.m. before the opening ceremony begins in the RSC’s 2nd-floor conference rooms at 10:30. The A&M-Commerce Chorale will perform, and the Princeton High School Naval JROTC will provide color guard duties.
The ASTP Memorial Scholarship, which is given each year to an A&M-Commerce student veteran, will also be awarded during the opening ceremony. This year’s recipient is Melody Carmack, a U.S. Army veteran.
The opening ceremony will conclude outside of the RSC with the lighting of the vigil flame by Dr. Chris Myers, U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) and A&M-Commerce professor of marketing and business analytics. The flame will burn until the closing ceremony at 4:30 p.m. that day. The closing ceremony will also feature a 21-gun salute by the Hunt County Veterans Honor Guard.
Vigil Guest Speaker
This year’s guest speaker is U.S. Navy Chief Gunnersmate Vic Tornero (Ret.). A native of El Paso, Texas, Tornero graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in geology. Tornero proudly served two tours in Vietnam and was released from active duty in June 1968. After a break in service, he re-affiliated with the Naval Reserve program in September 1968. He drilled at the reserve center in El Paso until May 1980, when his civilian job transferred him to Fort Worth, Texas.
His assignments while in the Naval Reserve included Navy counselor, Navy instructor, reserve recruiter, petty officer indoctrination team leader and reserve retention officer. As a reserve retention officer, he conducted all-hands career information seminar briefings to more than 1,500 personnel at the Fort Worth NAS/JRB base theater.
Tornero’s unfailing team spirit led to his selection as the nation’s “Recruiting District Assistance Council Chairperson of the Year” in 1999. He credits this honor to his fellow RDAC members, who supported him during his tenure.
He has received numerous other awards, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), the Vietnam Service Medal (two awards), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and several other Navy service awards and ribbons.
Other Veterans Activities
Other activities surrounding the vigil include a free lunch for veterans at the A&M-Commerce Lions Mane Cafeteria the following Monday, November 11, with the presentation of a military ID, DD214, veteran’s card, or VFW or American Legion card.
In addition, from November 8 to 11, veterans will receive a 10% discount on all items at the University Bookstore.
Learn more about Veterans and Military Services at A&M-Commerce.
Mealybugs Inside Your Home From Master Gardener David Wall
October 24, 2024 – Mealybugs (there are 4 varieties) are tiny scale insects resembling tiny puffs of cotton that suck sap from the flower and vegetable plant leaves and stems. In small invasions, they are hardly visible, cause no noticeable damage and can be removed by a strong stream of water, something not possible in larger infestations. As they multiply, however, the “cotton” appears to grow, with enlargement visible on a daily basis. They cannot fly, but plant crowding makes it easier for them to spread to other plants.
In larger numbers, they can overwhelm leaves causing them to die and drop, eventually killing the plant. They can occur anywhere on the plant, but are usually more noticeable on leaves. They can be particularly dangerous as you decide to move plants inside for the coming winter, an ideal environment for multiplying and destroying.
Mealybug prevention is best and can be achieved by having strong, healthy, resilient plants. Mealybugs like plants with a high nitrogen content and lots of new growth. Too much water and too much fertilizer make infestations worse. If you notice any white spots on plant stems or leaves, pick them off and squish them, or if indoors, drop in a waste basket.
The simplest way to kill mealybugs in your home is spraying the plants with a 50-50 mixture of water and alcohol in a spray bottle. Dusting infected plant with diatomaceous earth works very well, but you might want to take the plant outside first!
Horticultural oil sprays, insecticidal soap sprays, and homemade sprays will all kill mealybugs, but check with your county extension agent for mixture ratios. You can purchase ladybug beetles to feast on the mealybugs. Each beetle can consume up to 250 mealybugs during its lifetime. A Neem oil spray will repel but not kill them.
Chamber Connection – October 23, 2024
By Butch Burney
Don’t stand in line at the 55th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest, sponsored by Alliance Bank, on Saturday, get your tickets online or at any of the local banks and credit unions.
Tickets are available online at HopkinsChamber.org as well as the Chamber of Commerce office at 110 Main Street.
Tickets are $8 each for those 13 and older and free for children 12 and under, thanks to sponsorship from Signature Solar.
Whether you’re in the market for a Stew T-shirt, hoodie, mug, tumbler, sticker, towel or other merchandise for the 55th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest, you can find it at the Chamber of Commerce at 110 Main Street.
Stop by the Chamber office and get your gear for the Stew Contest on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Buford Park.
You also don’t want to miss the Fun Zone, sponsored by One Church, which will be free to kids to play Gellyball and enjoy bounce houses the day of the stew contest.
On Friday night, come out after the home football game to enjoy a concert by Dubb and the Luv Machines, sponsored by City National Bank.
Cocktails and Conversation
Join us for our next mixer at noon on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Vino Lounge at 223 Main Street, from 5-6:30 p.m.
You don’t have to be a Chamber member to take part in the Cocktails and Conversation event. It is open to everyone to enjoy the atmosphere, cocktails and refreshments.
Region 4 Rodeo
The Region 4 High School Rodeo will come to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center the first weekend of November.
The action will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3.
Ribbon Cuttings
Advanced Heart Care will have a ribbon cutting at their office located at 601 Airport Road Suite 101. We hope you can join us for this event at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Special Strong will have a ribbon cutting at Anytime Fitness, 1185 South Broadway Street, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29. Please join us.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new Cardiology Clinic, at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 113 Airport Road, Suite 301.
Clay Hollis November 2nd Concert part of Paris Junior College 100th Anniversary Homecoming
October 24, 2024 – Clay Hollis is a Texas-native, born in the Rio Grande Valley and raised in San Antonio. He’s also only one remove away from being a native Parisian, as the grandson of the late H.L. “Hub” Hollis. Last spring, Hollis came by to visit the Paris Junior College Hub Hollis baseball field and Saturday, Nov. 2, he’ll perform at the Love Civic Center as part of PJC’s 100th Homecoming weekend.
Growing up in Texas, Clay began pursuing music at a young age. At just seventeen, Hollis hit the road, selling merchandise for Jon Wolfe. While on tour with the Texas-country star, Clay discovered a career in music, and touring was his passion. He soon left Wolfe’s team to begin his own journey.
In 2017, Clay Hollis released his self-titled debut EP. With help from Nashville hit writers, like Bart Butler and Jon Pardi, Clay found radio success with four top ten singles: Look Who’s Hurting Now, Hard Headed Heart, Can’t Let a Good Thing Get Away, and Strait to Jones. With a few radio singles and an old guitar, Hollis hit the road to play honky-tonks across Texas.
In 2020, Clay released Honkytonk Highway, a strong 6-track EP that highlights his rich vocals and appreciation for honky-tonk driven guitars. At 21-minutes in length, Hollis covers a lot of territory. The EP includes slow burners like “Ask Me Again” to upbeat tracks like “Here I Go Again.” Inspired by ‘90s country foundations, with a modern country sound.
His newest effort, No Apologies, is Clay’s first full-length album. The 11-song collection, eight of which co-written by Hollis, centers around Clay’s personal life story, with each track giving you a glimpse into who Clay Hollis is.
Over the years, Hollis has been captivating fans playing alongside country music mainstays, Randall King, Kevin Fowler and many more.
In the spring of 2023, Hollis and his family stopped to visit PJC’s Hub Hollis baseball field and he joined that year’s baseball players on the field to throw some balls. In addition to the 100th Anniversary for Paris Junior College, this is the 50th Anniversary of the Hub Hollis Baseball Field, making the concert doubly special.
Hub Hollis was PJC’s first Athletic Director and Head Football Coach in 1925. He was inducted into the Dragon Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Dragons are honored that the baseball complex bears his name.
The concert will start at 8:30 p.m. at the Love Civic Center on Saturday, Nov. 2. Tickets are $10 at the door. Those with a current PJC ID will get in free.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Initiative Relieving Congestion Through Texas Starts Soon
Oct. 22, 2024 – By Adam Hammons – AUSTIN – A statewide initiative to address highway chokepoints in Texas is making major progress this fall with multiple projects breaking ground.
TxDOT is making huge strides to help address congestion in major cities through its Texas Clear Lanes initiative. Three major projects getting under construction include:
- North Houston Highway Improvement project in Houston
- Capital Express Central in Austin
- I-30 in Fort Worth
All of these projects received funding through Texas Clear Lanes, a statewide strategic initiative to provide congestion relief through non-tolled roads focusing on five metropolitan areas: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Bruce Bugg Jr. started the initiative after direction from Gov. Greg Abbott in 2015.
“We are proud to be here, opening this huge benefit for the people of Houston today and for future generations,” Bugg said during the NHHIP groundbreaking, emphasizing the project’s role in addressing the city’s transportation needs. “We’re making big plays. Getting Texans moving and out of traffic faster and safer is our goal.”
Since 2015, TxDOT has dedicated more than $35 billion of funding toward nearly $80 billion worth of projects on Texas’ 100 Most Congested Roadways list. The 2025 Unified Transportation Program (UTP) also features an additional $1.9 billion of funding for these Texas Clear Lanes projects.
That funding has made a significant impact. TxDOT projects helped Texas drivers save around $3 billion in commuter time in 2022. That’s while the Texas population is growing by 1,300 people every day with motorists driving more miles compared to years before. TxDOT’s roadway construction and expansion projects like those in Texas Clear Lanes are helping make travel smoother and more efficient.
This recent spike in shovels meeting dirt isn’t new. In 2024 there have been 31 Texas Clear Lanes projects under construction with 21 completed. Next year, it’s set to grow even more with an expected 27 projects under construction and 29 projects completed.
Traffic congestion creates a ripple effect that impacts nearly every aspect of our lives, whether we drive or not. Where we live, where we work, where we shop and where we play are all affected by traffic congestion.
That’s why Texas leadership, the Transportation Commission, and TxDOT are committed to addressing this serious issue.
Want to learn more about projects near you? Check out the Texas Clear Lanes page on txdot.gov.
Texas Secretary Nelson Reminds Voters to Check Ballots Before Finalizing Your Vote
October 24, 2024 – As Texans go to the polls for early voting ahead of the November 5 election, Secretary Nelson encourages voters to double-check their precinct numbers and candidate selections before casting a ballot.
“Texas has more than 18 million registered voters, and we want to make sure every eligible vote counts. All voting systems in Texas are designed to give voters an opportunity to review their selections before casting their ballot,” said Secretary Nelson. “I encourage Texas voters to use this built-in opportunity to double-check the selections.”
Voters can find their precinct number by using My Voter Portal, which they can navigate to through VoteTexas.gov. Additionally, precinct numbers are printed on voter registration cards.
In counties with digital recording machines, voters will see a review screen with all of their selections before pushing a button to cast their ballot. In other counties, voters will receive a printout of their selections to review before depositing the ballot.
For other tips and additional information about voting in Texas, visit VoteTexas.gov, the state’s official online voting resource.
