Recommended Products, Methods To Control Sandbur In Pastures And Hay Fields
By Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, Texas
From time to time, the Hopkins County Extension Office gets calls on sandbur control in pastures and hay fields In general, if you had sandbur in a field last year and were unable to control them, there is a good probability they will be back season.
According to the Noble Research Institute, there are four products recommend for sandbur control in pastures and hayfields.
For a product to be recommend, it has to meet a few basic qualifications. First, it must be labeled for the crop it is applied to. It is illegal to apply a pesticide to a crop that is not listed on the label. Second, it has to work. In this instance, it has to control a large percentage of the sandbur when correctly applied. Third, it cannot cause undue crop injury when used according to labeled directions.
There are two broad ways to control sandburs. One is with a preemergent herbicide. This type of herbicide must be applied before the sandbur seed germinate. The only labeled preemergent herbicide for sandbur control in pastures and hay fields is Prowl® H2O.
It is labeled for bermudagrass and other warm-season grasses when in winter dormancy. In southern Oklahoma and northern Texas, the most common application time is February or very early March before the grasses break dormancy. There is a 60-day haying restriction and a 45-day grazing restriction if Prowl® H2O is used. Good results can be obtained from Prowl® H2O if it is properly incorporated by rainfall or irrigation within 10 to14 days of application. It is a fairly expensive treatment.
The other three products for sand-bur control in pastures and hayfields are post-emergent treatments. This means the products must be sprayed onto an emerged sandbur plant.
Pastora® is only labeled for bermudagrass, so applying it on any other type pasture or hayfield is illegal. It must be applied to very small sandbur, and the spray must contact the sandbur plant. For that reason, the bermudagrass should be grazed or hayed very short.
Roundup PowerMax® must be applied immediately after the first hay cutting. It is labeled for use at a rate of 10 ounces per acre on bermudagrass hayfields immediately after the first hay cutting. It will also control many annual grasses other than sandbur. It is important to treat as soon as possible after the first hay cutting.
The fourth product is recommend with caution. It is imazapic, sold under the trade names Plateau® and Panoramic 2SL. The caution is this product will stunt bermudagrass growth for a period of at least 30 days. Some varieties, such as Jiggs and World Feeder, are more prone to crop injury than others. It is labeled for use in most perennial grass species, including native range.
Always follow herbicide label instructions: The label is the law.
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].
Paris District Road Report For The Week of January 6, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Jan. 6, 2020. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.
Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91. Construction on the rehab and widening project is expected to begin Jan. 13.
FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Rd. to US 75. Watch for traffic shifts as workers widen FM 691 to an ultimate five-lane roadway. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a four-way stop intersection and will become a signalized intersection at the conclusion of the construction project.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional one lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road and the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on rebuilding the southbound frontage road.
US 75 Slope Repair at Randell Lake Road, on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road. The southbound frontage road and Randell Lake exit ramp are closed due to a slope failure. Crews are working to lime treat the soils and place underdrains.
US 75 Full Depth concrete repair, Grayson County: crews will be working on US 75, weather permitting, each week from Sunday night thru Thursday night. Lane closures will be present during the nighttime only in order for crews to replace failed concrete. Lane closures begin at 7:30 p.m. and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the day-time.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary day time lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
Cedar Road, Grayson County: just east of SH 11 at Cedar Creek. Cedar Road is closed at Cedar Creek in order to remove and build a new bridge. Traffic on Cedar Road will need to use an alternate route, such as Snap Road, during construction.
Greer Road, Grayson County: just south of FM 901 at Brushy Creek. Greer Road is closed at Brushy Creek in order to remove and build a new bridge. Traffic on Greer Road will need to use an alternate route, such as Sandusky Road, during construction.
FM 901, Grayson County: from US 377 west to the end of maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to address base failures.
FM 1310, Grayson County: from SH 91 to Eisenhower State Park. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on blade leveling the roadway.
US 377, Grayson County: from FM 922 to the Denton County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on blade leveling the roadway.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two lane roadway to a four lane divided section.
County Road 5025, Fannin County: at Delba Creek. County Road 5025 at Delba Creek has been reopened to traffic after completion of the new bridge.
County Road 3810, Fannin County: at Loring Creek. County Road 3810 is closed at Loring Creek while crews remove and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 3810 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
FM 274, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to FM 3321. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on blade leveling the roadway.
Spur 311, Fannin County: from SH 56 to SH 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on blade leveling the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews replace an existing drainage structure; temporary traffic signals will direct traffic.
FM 1448, Franklin County: From Wood County Line to FM 115. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install drainage structures.
IH 30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade Metal Beam Guard Fence.
FM 900, Hopkins County: IH 30 to Franklin County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install drainage structures.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Watch for temporary lane closures and traffic shifts while crews extend cross structures and widen pavement to install passing lanes.
US 82, Lamar County: from BU 82H to Red River County Line. Watch for temporary shoulder/lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
US 82, Red River County: from Lamar County Line to SH 37. Watch for temporary shoulder/lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
SH 24, Delta County: from SH 19 to Hunt County Line. Watch for temporary shoulder and lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
SH 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for work zones as workers upgrade metal-beam guard fence, replace or extend new structures and install safety end treatments.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
SH 66, Hunt County: from near FM 6 to near FM 2642. A project consisting of widening pavement, installing continuous left turn lanes, and safety treating fixed objects is underway. Please be aware of lane closures and workers in this area.
I-30/US69, Hunt County, project to replace metal beam guard fence is underway. Please be cautious when driving in this area.
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Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton Pleased With Wildcats Play In FISD Dr. Pink Tourney Last Week
The Wildcats Soccer Team went 1-2-1 in the prestigious Frisco ISD Dr. Pink Tournament last Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 2-4.
Coach Alexi Upton said their opening 1-1 tie came against a talented and athletic El Paso Montwood team.
He said his team’s 5-1 loss to El Paso Eastlake is just one of those games that happen once or twice a season. He said the Wildcats imploded and fell apart.
Then, came the game the Wildcats and Coach Upton will always remember from this tournament, a 3-1 win over a good Amarillo Caprock team at The Star in the Ford Center. Coach Upton called it a great experience and a great game. The team also got to experience being in a hotel and they took a tour of the FC Dallas facilities.
Coach Upton was also pleased with the way his team played in a narrow 1-0 loss to always tough McKinney North. He said the Wildcats need to work on possessing the ball more and scoring goals.
Coach Upton said his team’s tough schedule will continue in a Longview tournament this Thursday through Saturday. The Wildcats are scheduled to play Jacksonville, Lufkin and Forney, all solid soccer programs.
Master Gardeners: Don't Guess, Soil Test — Your Landscape Will Thank You
By Phyllis Kitten, Master Gardener
For gardens and landscapes, the term soil improvement means making the soil favorable for plants to grow. Many soil conditions can inhibit plant growth, including compaction, poor drainage, low fertility, excess nutrients, and thin topsoil.
Have you ever had your soil tested? To make the soil of your front yard, back yard, and garden the most favorable for growing plants, first have it tested to learn what amendments and nutrients to apply. Then follow the test report’s recommendations.
No single nutrient source is best for every area of the state. Nutrient concentrations change with every site and every management practice. Some of the best money ever spent on landscaping is the relatively small amount needed to have the soil tested.
When to test your soil. Test the soil now if it has not been tested in the past 3 years. Testing in the winter can give you results for your upcoming spring planting.
Your county Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offers soil testing bags and testing information. Submittal forms, forms of payment and additional information are available on the web at http://soiltesting.tamu.edu. If you wish to send your soil sample to a commercial laboratory, use an agronomic, not an environmental, soil-testing lab. Most environmental laboratories are unfamiliar with agronomic soil testing and do not normally make nutrient recommendations.
The routine test determines the soil pH, salinity, nitrates (NO3-N), and levels of the primary nutrients (P – phosphorus, K – potassium, Ca – calcium, Mg – magnesium, Na – sodium, and S – sulfur) available to plants. The routine test will provide the basic N-P-K fertilizer recommendation for selected plants. This test meets most application needs. A routine analysis costs $14 which includes a $2 mail fee.
Collecting a soil sample is only as good as the methods used. Make sure the sample is representative of the area to be treated, and always collect samples to a depth of 6 inches, because the recommendations your get are based on the top 6 inches of soil. Additional sample instructions are included with the submittal form.
Your test results will usually be mailed back to you within a couple of weeks after receiving and working the sample. The report will advise you on which nutrients and how much of each to apply to healthy plants in the “crop grown” portion you indicated on the submittal form.
Don’t guess, soil test. Your landscape will not only thank you but will reward you for years to come.
I-30 Traffic Stops By DPS Net 3 Misdemeanor Arrests
Three interstate traffic stops conducted by Texas Department of Public Safety highway patrol troopers in Hopkins County over the weekend resulted in three misdemeanor arrests, according to arrest reports.
A 27-year-old Texarkana Arkansas woman stopped for equipment violation on a Hyundai Sonata at 10:13 p.m. Jan. 5 at mile marker 132 was found to be wanted on a Dallas County warrant. However, it wasn’t the warrant, which troopers noted was for a “non-extraditable misdemeanor,” but because she wasn’t truthful with the highway patrol who stopped her, according to arrest reports.
The woman initially identified herself by a first name and date of birth, and claimed to have an Arkansas driver’s license, troopers alleged in arrest reports. However, a records check showed no driver’s license for anyone by that name and date of birth. After talking further with the woman, the trooper alleged she gave a different first name and date of birth two years younger that she’d originally told the highway patrol.
A records check using that information showed the Dallas County warrant, for which she would not have been arrested. The DPS trooper did take the Texarkana, Arkansas woman into custody and to jail for failure to identify as a fugitive by giving false information, according to arrest reports.
The 27-year-old Arkansas woman remained in the county jail late Monday morning, Jan. 6; bond on the failure to identify charge was set at $2,000, according to jail reports.
An expired registration resulted in an Arlington man being stopped at 11:45 p.m. Jan. 4, at mile marker 126 by troopers, but was arrested for having drug paraphernalia and four warrants for his arrest.
On contact, the highway patrol trooper alleged he could smell a strong odor of burned marijuana upon contact with the occupant of the Chrysler 300. A records check using the Texas ID card the 38-year-old presented revealed Dallas County warrants for his arrest on driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content over 0.15, possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana, driving while intoxicated with an open container and possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
A probable cause search of the car allegedly revealed two marijuana “roaches,” resulting in an additional charge for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to arrest reports.
The 38-year-old Arlington man was released from Hopkins County Sunday, Jan. 5, on the paraphernalia charge. Bond on the four Dallas County warrants was set at $1,500 each, according to jail reports.
A 55-year-old Dallas woman was stopped at 3:12 p.m. Jan. 4, at mile marker 130 on I-30 for speeding Saturday afternoon, but ended up in jail on marijuana and weapon charges, according to arrest reports.
Troopers alleged they could smell a marijuana odor in the Chevrolet Camaro while talking with the woman. The woman allegedly admitted someone had smoked marijuana inside the car on Jan. 4 and that there was a joint remained in the vehicle. Troopers alleged they found the joint along with a handgun in the vehicle. A probable cause search, the trooper alleged in arrest reports, resulted in location two bags of suspected marijuana were found, along with rolling paper in the trunk.
Consequently, the Dallas woman was arrested and taken to Hopkins County jail for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
The Dallas woman was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, Jan. 5; bond was set at $1,000 on the marijuana charge and $2,000 on the weapon charge, according to jail reports.
2 Sulphur Springs Men, 1 Rowlett Man Jailed On Warrants
Two Sulphur Springs men was jailed over the weekend after surrendering to sheriff’s officers, and a Rowlett man taken into custody by police on a warrant, according to arrest reports.
Troy Glen Fouse, 52, of Sulphur Springs turned himself in at 4:35 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, at the sheriff’s office on a warrant for a July 19, 2019 offense. He was escorted Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Bobby Osornio into the county jail, where he was held on the warrant from Austin Parole Board for violation of parole, according to arrest reports. He also has two outstanding traffic warrants for failure to maintain financial responsibility and expired registration, according to jail reports.
Fouse, according to arrest reports, has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1984 in Hopkins County. Sunday marked at least the fifth time Fouse has been arrested and held in the local jail for violation of parole; he served from Sept. 7 through Dec. 14, 2005; Feb. 27-April 9, 2014; Feb. 26-April 7, 2015; April 27-June 2, 2016; and Aug. 30-Oct. 12, 2017 in the county jail, according to jail reports.
A 31-year-old Sulphur Springs man also turned himself in at the sheriff’s office at 2:55 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, on two misdemeanor warrants, according to arrest reports.
Deputies escorted the man into the county jail, where he was booked on family violence assault causing bodily injury and interference with an emergency request for assistance warrants, according to arrest reports. The offenses were alleged in arrest reports to have occurred on Nov. 19, 2019.
The Sulphur Springs man was released from the county jail late Monday morning on $5,000 bond on the assault charge and $2,000 bond on the other charge, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs police officers responding to a complaint of suspicious activity complaint in the 1200 block of South Broadway Street located a Rowlett man at 1:14 a.m. Jan. 5. The 26-year-old man was identified and found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest for not taking care of a possession of delivery of drug paraphernalia charge, police alleged in arrest reports.
The Rowlett man was released from the county jail later Sunday on the charge, according to jail reports.
DPS Trooper Arrests Tennessee Man On Warrant
A routine traffic stop on Interstate 30 at mile marker 132 resulted in a 36-year-old Indian Mound, Kentucky man’s arrest Sunday morning, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper William Gillentine reported stopping a Ford pickup at 8:05 a.m. Jan. 5 on I-30 for an obscured license plate, specifically a dark tint covering the temporary Tennessee plate, the trooper alleged in arrest reports.
A records check using Dustin Lynn Roby’s Tennessee ID card showed the man not did not have a driver’s license, but did have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. DPS communications operators confirmed the Kentucky Department of Corrections Parole Board warrant for Roby’s arrest to be active. Roby was taken into custody and jailed on the charge, and issued a citation for not having a driver’s license; the truck was impounded, Gillentine noted in arrest reports.
Roby was held in Hopkins County jail without bond on the charge Monday morning, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs City Council Jan. 7 Regular Meeting Agenda
CITY OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 7, 2020, 7:00 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 in the Council Room at 201 North Davis Street. The following items will be discussed:
- Call to order.
- Pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag, Texas Flag, and invocation.
- Presentations, proclamations, and announcements. (a) Kevin Shepard, Housing and Infrastructure (b) School Choice Week Proclamation
- Manager’s report will include a status report of capital improvements, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the month, and a review of expenditures and revenues.
- Discussion/action on Consent Agenda (See Below).
- Discussion/action on first reading of Ordinance No. 2762, an ordinance amending Chapter 15 of the Code of Ordinances by adding Article VII, entitled Curfew Hours for Minors.
- Discussion/action on Resolution No. 1187, a resolution directing publication of notice of intention is issue combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation.
- Discussion/action on Resolution 1188 amending authorized representatives of the City’s investment account with TexPool
- Discussion/action on approval of land lease agreements at the old Thermo Mine/Luminant property and authorizing the city manager to execute said documents.
- Discussion/action on board appointments to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
- This item was previously tabled and we now have two resignations. Item will need a motion to be moved from the table.
- Discussion/action regarding personnel related specifically to matters affecting the office of the City Manager including performance review, employment terms and other issues. The City Council may adjourn into executive session pursuant to Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 571.074 for deliberations regarding this agenda item.
- Visitors and public forum.
- Adjourn.
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City Manager's Performance Review, Employment Terms On Jan. 7 Council Agenda
This marks the third month in a row the City Council meeting agenda has included a personnel item related to the city manager.
Sulphur Springs City Council is scheduled once again to discuss personnel matters related to the city manager this week.
The Jan. 7 regular 7 p.m. City Council meeting agenda states the council may adjourn into executive session to discuss “matters affecting the office of the City Manager including performance review, employment terms and other issues.”
The discussion of personnel matters relating to the city manager was on the Nov. 5 agenda. However, after a very brief executive session, the Nov. 5 meeting adjourned with no further comment from the council regarding the session.
A special executive session was also called 1 hour prior to the regular Dec. 3 meeting to allow the City Council members to discuss and consider “Personnel Matters specifically relating to the City Manager.” The executive session continued 15-20 minutes past the designated 7 p.m. start time for the regular Dec. 3 City Council meeting.
Many community members had packed the council room to awaiting the results of that session. However, when the council members returned to the council room, then-Mayor Norman Sanders announced no action would taken regarding the city manager at that time.
The regular meeting then got under way, with City Council member declining to discuss either the executive session or personnel matters related to the city manager.
At least eight people at the Dec. 3 council meeting spoke during public forum regarding the city manager, including business people who asked the council not to fire the city manager or to carefully consider the long-ranging impact of any decisions regarding the city manager’s employment with the city.
The Jan. 7 agenda stipulates the discussion and action regarding the city manager are to specifically include a “performance review, employment terms and other issues.”
If the City Council opts enter into executive session during the regular Jan. 7 meeting to discuss the city manger, including conducting a performance review and discussion on terms of employment, any formal vote of action on an executive session discussion would need to be made in open forum.
The regular meeting of Sulphur Springs City Council begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the Council Room at City Hall, 201 North Davis St.
