Chamber Connection – August 7, 2024
By Butch Burney
The anticipation has been growing and now it is time for the actual preparation. We are looking forward to a fantastic 55th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest on Oct. 26, and it’s time for stew cooks to start registering.
Registration for last year’s cooks are going out in the mail and email this week, so be looking for it in your mailbox and inbox. You can also register online at HopkinsChamber.org/stewcooks.
We are keeping the registration fee the same as in past years at $100 per stew site, with the sponsor asked to provide $150 to each cooking team for ingredients.
If you have been a Stew Cook in the past, we look forward to seeing you again and tasting your delicious stew. If you have won the contest in the past, you are eligible to enter the Super Stew competition.
Each returning stew team will have the option of keeping their 2023 site. These sites will be reserved until Monday, September 30, and then on Tuesday, October 1, the “unclaimed” stew sites will be open to “new cooks” and to returning cooks who would like a new site location. After Sept. 30, all sites will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. As in 2023, we will have sites open on both the north and the south side of Connally Street, where we will have a serving tent and market vendors.
New Cooks
We will have a Stewcomers meeting at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 15 for any new cooks or those who are thinking about entering. You can get all the information you need to start planning for the largest annual single-day event in Hopkins County.
If you need more information, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
The theme for this year’s stew contest is Stewper Heroes, and we would love for you to participate and be a Stewper Hero!
Adult Leadership
Even if you think you know Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, you are sure to learn a lot through Leadership Sulphur Springs, which is back on this year, with applications online!
The leadership class is for Hopkins County men and women who want to learn and become more invested in their local community. It’s an intensive nine-month program that immerses the participants in the business and government of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
The tentative dates for this year’s program are attached to the application, which can be accessed at HopkinsChamber.org.
You can also have an application mailed to you by emailing me at [email protected]. The deadline is Aug. 9, so get your information in as soon as possible.
The registration fee is $500 and that covers the cost of the food, drinks, transportation, etc. for the year.
Lunch and Learn
Wind energy will be the topic for the Chamber’s Lunch and Learn on Sept. 11, featuring Apex Clean Energy. The energy company is anticipating investing in wind turbines in the western part of Hopkins County.
The Lunch and Learn will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at The Grays Building in Pacific Park. Those in attendance will get a meal and information on the project, as well as the opportunity to ask questions.
To RSVP for the event, message [email protected] or call 903-885-6515.
Cocktails and Conversation
Join us for our main networking monthly event when Beauty Grace Lifestyle Shop hosts our Cocktails and Conversation on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the store on Connally Street.
You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend. It is free to everyone, and a prime time to make friends and contacts.
Please make plans to attend to enjoy some cocktails, snacks and great conversation.
Quilt Show
The Lone Star Heritage Quilt Show is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Sept. 20-21 at the ROC on Putman Street. Numerous projects will be on display, and one special quilt will be up for raffle during the event. If you’re interested in entering your own quilt project, those arrangements must be made by July 31. To request entry, email [email protected].
Missing Migrant Program: key to locating lost mother and child
FRONTON, Texas – Rio Grande Valley Sector Missing Migrant Program placards were successful in leading agents to the location of a lost migrant mother and child that were lost in a remote ranchland, rescuing them from the harsh elements that can be very dangerous for migrants that have been abandoned by their smugglers.
On August 7, 2024, at about 1:50 a.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station were alerted about a lost mother and child around Fronton, Texas. The mother had called 911 emergency services for assistance and advised the operator she needed help and was standing near a metal sign that read “Auxilio 911” (Help 911) with a green cross. This sign was deployed by the RGV Sector Missing Migrant Program and was catalogued with location coordinates for agents to respond to the exact location. Agents responded to the location and located the mother and her child. Both mother and child were evaluated by emergency medical technicians before being transported to a local Border Patrol station.
“Great work by all involved in this humanitarian response”, said RGV Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez, “This rescue of a mother and child highlights the importance of the humanitarian efforts that the Rio Grande Valley Sector through, its Missing Migrant Program, have invested in to save human lives”.
SEN. CRUZ APPLAUDS SENATE’S UNANIMOUS PASSAGE OF THE JUDGES ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) in applauding the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2024. The JUDGES Act would address judicial emergencies and shortages across the country by increasing the number of federal district judges in the most overworked regions of the country.
The bipartisan legislation will now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Upon passage, Sen. Cruz said, “Congress has failed in its responsibility to authorize sufficient judgeships and resources for the judicial branch, particularly in America’s fastest-growing communities like Texas. As a result, federal judges in Texas have been disproportionately burdened with crushing caseloads and excessive backlogs, hindering the efficiency and effectiveness of our judicial system. It’s our constitutional duty to ensure that these judicial shortages no longer restrict any American’s access to justice. I am proud that my colleagues in the Senate have unanimously recognized the severity of these consequences, and I urge my colleagues in the House to do the same by passing this legislation.”
Sen. Cruz was joined by Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) in co-sponsoring the legislation.
BACKGROUND
Courts across the country are overburdened and facing a shortage of federal judges. As of March 31, 2023, there were 686,797 pending cases in federal district courts across the country, averaging 491 filings per judgeship over a 12-month period. In March of 2023, the Judicial Conference of the United States, a nonpartisan policy-making body for federal courts, recommended that Congress create 66 new district court judgeships to help alleviate this crisis.
The JUDGES Act would install 13 new district judges in Texas, in all four judicial districts over the next 12 years. It would also allow federal judges to hear cases in College Station, improving judicial access in the College Station/Bryan area.
Governor Abbott Deploys State Firefighting Resources As Wildfire Threat Increases
August 7, 2024 – Governor Greg Abbott this week announced that he has deployed state firefighting resources across the state as wildfire threats increase throughout Texas.
“Texas stands ready to support local officials and communities throughout our great state as the threat of wildfire activity increases in the coming days,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas is deploying more than 200 personnel including firefighters and support staff, as well as tactical resources like fire engines, all-terrain vehicles, and bulldozers to provide on-the-ground assistance. Due to dry vegetation and high temperatures, Texans are urged to limit any activities that may cause a spark and to take all necessary precautions to keep their families and their loved ones safe. I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management and local emergency management personnel for their diligence to prepare for wildfires in the northern and western regions of our state.”
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, wildfire activity is expected to increase in the northern and western regions of the state due to dry vegetation subjected to multiple days of triple digit temperatures. The Texas A&M Forest Service has raised the Wildland Fire Preparedness Level to Level 2 due to an increase in current and expected wildfire activity across the state. Over the past week, more than 35 wildfires have burned more than 3,000 acres across Texas.
At the Governor’s direction, the following state firefighting resources have been activated by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to support wildfire response operations:
- Texas A&M Forest Service: State and local firefighters through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System totaling more than 200 firefighters and support personnel as well as 45 equipment resources such as fire engines, bulldozers, and motor graders; 5 federally-contracted fixed wing firefighting aircraft including a single engine air tanker for retardant drops, two fire bosses for water drops, and two air attack platforms for surveillance and spotting
- Texas National Guard: CH47 Chinook rotary wing helicopter with firefighting capability
- Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Wildland Fire Support Packages including paramedics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles
The State of Texas continues to request aircraft assistance from the federal government, but recent requests have not been able to be filled due to lack of aircraft availability.
At Governor Abbott’s direction, the Texas State Emergency Operations Center will begin statewide wildfire coordination calls tomorrow to provide local and state partners with situational awareness and ensure coordination between responders.
Additionally, based on current conditions and the fire weather forecast, Governor Abbott has directed the Texas A&M Forest Service to open the Abilene Air Tanker Base at Abilene Regional Airport to assist state and local responders in wildfire suppression efforts across Texas.
Texans are urged to prepare for wildfire danger by limiting activities that cause sparks, following instructions from local officials, making an emergency plan, and keeping emergency supplies readily available. Texans can visit TexasReady.gov and tfsweb.tamu.edu for wildfire tips and safety information.
Sulphur Springs City Council Member Touts Lithium Extraction Company as City Seeks Lease
August 7, 2024 – The regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council saw the council approving a “brine lease” with a company to extract valuable lithium from the “Thermo Mine” property which is now owned by the City of Sulphur Springs. The move was touted by one council member on social media as he suggested that citizens should do their own due diligence if they are approached for a similar lease. The following post appeared on Place One City Council Member Jay Julian’s personal Facebook page.
“Dear Citizens of Sulphur Springs,
I’m excited to share some significant news from our recent city council meeting on Tuesday night. We have officially approved a brine lease for mineral royalty owned by the City of Sulphur Springs, located at the “Thermo” property. This marks a major step forward in tapping into the lithium resources within the Smackover Formation, which runs through northeast Texas and contains some of the highest concentrations of lithium in the country.
The city council has authorized our city manager to execute a brine lease with Texas Lone Star Brine, LLC. This company will utilize Standard Lithium, LTD’s proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) process to extract the lithium from the brine. The DLE process is impressive, as it processes the brine in small tanks to remove the lithium, and then pumps the leftover brine water back into the formation, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
As part of my due diligence, I personally visited and toured Standard Lithium, LTD’s DLE facility in El Dorado, Arkansas. I found their process to be exceptionally clean and efficient. The tour included a Q&A session that addressed all my concerns and boosted my confidence in their technology. Moreover, Standard Lithium has substantial backing from major investors, including a $100 million investment from Koch Strategic Platforms.
Currently, several companies are competing for mineral royalties for brine. Among them are Texas Lone Star Brine, LLC (associated with Standard Lithium, LTD.), Black Mountain Lithium, and Bright Star Exploration, LLC. I’ve also heard that a fourth company might be entering the game soon.
While I won’t advise anyone on what they should do, I want to emphasize that a lot of due diligence was done at the city council level. We chose Texas Lone Star Brine, LLC because we believe Standard Lithium, LTD is at the forefront of this new lithium boom, with the best technology and the investment backing to see it through to production.
If you have been approached by a landman attempting to lease your minerals, I strongly suggest doing your own due diligence. For more information, you can follow this link to a Standard Lithium, LTD presentation, with the facility I toured featured on slide thirteen.
Let’s move forward together in this exciting new chapter for our community!“
Julian also shared the following link on his personal Facebook page for more information. https://d1io3yog0oux5.cloudfront.net/…/Standard-Lithium…
Julian did not disclose what monetary compensation this lease may mean for the City of Sulphur Springs, but shared a link to Standard Lithium’s website. Julian mentioned a $100 million investment made from Koch Strategic Partners as a favorable reason that he believed Standard Lithium was a good choice although a recent Barron’s online article showed that Koch Strategic Partners have lost 63% of their investment.
Jay W Julian’s Facebook post began to receive pushback from citizens against this controversial technology of lithium extraction from brine and what it may mean for the environment and neighbors. It will now be up to City Manager Marc Maxwell to continue negotiations with Texas Lone Star Brine, LLC. who has promised to use new technology from Standard Lithium.
2024 Big Tex Choice Awards Finalists Accounced
By STATE FAIR OF TEXAS | It’s crunch time—pun intended—for finalists of the three most iconic food titles in all of Texas. THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE FINALISTS FOR THE 20TH ANNUAL BIG TEX® CHOICE AWARDS. Three winners will be crowned on Thursday, August 22 in the categories of: “BEST TASTE – SAVORY,” “BEST TASTE – SWEET,” and “MOST CREATIVE.” Back in June, a record-breaking 65 entries represented by 40 Fair concessionaires were narrowed down to 24 semi-finalists, with each entry having been evaluated on four Fair-food elements: uniqueness, creativity, presentation, and taste. After testing some tasty dishes, votes were cast, and the results are in. Ten finalists must now bring it on before a prestigious panel of celebrity judges in hopes of taking home one of the top prizes at the Most Texan Place on Earth. Don’t worry – if your favorite semifinalist didn’t make the final cut, many concessionaires may still choose to include their creation at their stand as a new food item at this year’s Fair. Without further ado, the State Fair of Texas is happy to present the 10 finalists who will compete for the coveted titles of “Best Taste – Savory,” “Best Taste – Sweet,” and “Most Creative” in the 2024 Big Tex Choice Awards competition.
SAVORY
DOMINICAN FRITURA DOG, Justin Martinez
This savory dish brings an explosion of flavor that starts with fritura cheese and Dominican salami. Taking classic Fair food up a notch, this dish is then double deep fried with their famous corn dog batter! Split open and topped with garlic plantain chips, top-secret Dominican sauce, and cilantro, the Dominican Fritura Dog will bring you the best of salty and sweet with an explosion of Dominican flavor. “Hopefully, we’re opening another avenue for people at the State Fair to try something they don’t normally try. That’s what the State Fair is about,” said Justin Martinez, creator of the Dominican Fritura Dog.
THE DROWNING TAQUITOS, Tony & Terry Bednar
Served in a cup, these fresh, hand-rolled corn tortillas are stuffed with tender shredded chicken and then deep-fried to perfection. To further encapsulate the savory flavor, the taquitos are then “drowned” with a tangy cream sauce, jalapeño, guacamole salsa, shredded lettuce, avocado, tomatillo, pico, and Cotija cheese.
HIPPIE CHIPS, Rose & Tom Deschenes
These far-out wavy potato chip nachos promise to deliver “every flavor profile” with your choice of either zesty homemade ranch or blue cheese dressing, topped with bacon bits, fresh green onions, and a tangy drizzle of sriracha. You can be extra funky and add blue cheese crumbles if you’re so inclined.
HOT CHICK-IN-PANCAKE POPPERS, Palmer & Amanda Fortune
They’re savory, they’re sweet, and they’re easy to eat. Authentic Nashville hot chicken and pimento cheese are rolled into a ball, dunked into pancake batter, and fried to a golden brown, then topped with a drizzle of Sriracha honey and a sprinkle of Nashville hot powdered sugar.
TEXAS FRIED BURNT END BOMBS, Nick & Vera Bert
These bombs take mouthwatering brisket wrapped with shredded potatoes, bacon, and cheese, deep fry it, and top it with a raspberry chipotle barbeque glaze drizzled to add the perfect touch of sweetness.
SWEET
NEVINS NUTTY BAR-LASKA, Tami Nevins Mayes & Josey Mayes
This sweet treat takes the classic nutty bar and adds toasted marshmallow, two Oreos®, strawberry sauce, and freeze-dried strawberry pieces. “It’s on a stick! What’s more Fair food than that?” said Josey Nevins-Mayes, co-creator of the Nevins Nutty Bar-laska.
ROUSSO’S COTTON CANDY BACON ON A STICK, Isaac Rousso
This masterful combination of sweet and savory flavors comes to life with the Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick—a thick, 12-inch piece of bacon cooked to perfection with a cotton candy glaze on top. The bacon is spun inside a cotton candy machine and torched to caramelize the center and lock in that sweet flavor.
STRAWBERRY POP-TARTS® BEIGNETTFLE, Justin Martinez
This sweet treat was inspired by the flavors of New Orleans beignets and the childhood nostalgia of Pop-Tarts® and waffles, all put together on a stick because Justin says, “Everything is better on a stick.” The Strawberry Pop-Tarts® Beignetffle is a heavenly combination of a fluffy beignet and a crispy waffle topped with homemade strawberry filling, a sweet vanilla icing drizzle, fresh whipped cream, and garnished with colorful sprinkles.
TEXAS SUGAR RUSH PICKLES, Heather Perkins
These cotton-candy-flavored pickle slices are coated in three cereal varieties—Lucky Charms™, Froot Loops®, and Cap’n Crunch® —and then layered in cotton candy, cotton candy sugar crystals, and powdered sugar before being drizzled with strawberry sundae syrup. As if that wasn’t enough, these dressed-up pickles are served with a helping of vanilla ice cream, adding a perfectly cool touch to this crazy concoction!
TROPICAL TWO-STEP PUNCH, Binh Tran
To give fairgoers a taste of paradise, this punch marinates fruits like citrus, passionfruit, and mango overnight to create a crisp cooler that’s fresh, tangy, sweet, sour, and spicy. Available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, this thirst quencher is sure to help you cool down on a hot day at the Fair.
These 10 Fairly-foodie finalists will battle for the three titles on Thursday, August 22, at 2 p.m. CST. While the Big Tex Choice Awards event is closed to the public, folks can follow along online by tuning into one of our social media channels – @StateFairofTX on all platforms.
The 2024 State Fair of Texas, themed “24 Days of Fun,” will open on Friday, September 27, and will run through Sunday, October 20. Head on over to BigTex.com/Tickets to purchase your season passes and premium tickets today and join us this fall at the Most Texan Place on Earth.
Summer Graduation Set for August 9 and 10 at A&M-Commerce
August 6, 2024 – Mark your calendars for summer commencement ceremonies this week at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
COMMERCE, TX, August 6, 2024—Summer graduation at Texas A&M University-Commerce is almost here! Commencement ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10. Ceremonies will be held in Ferguson Auditorium on the A&M-Commerce campus. For location information, view the campus map and directions. Doors will open one hour before each ceremony.
Graduate Highlights
This summer, 702 students will receive their degrees, including 407 undergraduate students, 273 master’s students and 22 doctoral students. Among the candidates, 226 will graduate with academic distinction, including 67 cum laude, 81 magna cum laude and 78 summa cum laude.
Graduation Ceremony Schedule
A&M-Commerce will conduct four separate ceremonies, as follows:
Graduate School – Master’s (No Doctoral)
Friday, Aug. 9, 2024
1:30 p.m.
College of Business
College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts
College of Science and Engineering
Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/jSUwfbaozac
_____________________________
Graduate School – Doctoral and Master’s
Friday, Aug. 9, 2024
4 p.m.
Doctoral:
All colleges
Master’s:
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
College of Education and Human Services
Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/jnR5OtgU5DE
_____________________________
Undergraduate – Bachelor’s
Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024
8:30 a.m.
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
College of Business
College of Education and Human Services
College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts
College of Science and Engineering
Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/4FI6VRNlgqY
_____________________________
Undergraduate – Bachelor’s
Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024
11:30 a.m.
College of Innovation and Design
Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/ki3Jaxp_HhA
Guest Information
Guests, please note the following information:
- Tickets:
- Each graduate received an allotted number of tickets to share with family and friends. A ticket must be presented for each guest, including infants and toddlers.
- Guests without tickets may view a live stream of the ceremony, either on the second floor of the Rayburn Student Center or via the links above.
- Parking:
- Guests may park in Lots 5, 6, 11 or 18. Guests with disabilities (with a handicap placard) may park in Lots 12 and 20.
- Bags:
- A clear bag policy is in place.
- Noisemakers:
- Please refrain from distracting noises (air horns, noisemakers) after your graduate’s name has been called. Since candidates proceed across the stage in rapid order, noise interruptions may override the name of the following graduate. Your cooperation in this matter is sincerely appreciated.
- Accessibility:
- For accessibility concerns, please email [email protected].
For additional guest information, please visit tamuc.edu/Graduation.
Follow A&M-Commerce on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and check out the University Photo Archive for upcoming graduation photos!
Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library to be Open This Saturday
This coming Saturday, August 10th, will be the second Saturday of August. Which means the Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library will be open for use. They will be open from 9:30am to 1:00pm. Come do a little research, or just browse amongst our collections.
The library is located at 611 North Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Tx.
Dinner Bell for August 7, 2024
Christus Mother Frances Hospital of Sulphur Springs initially partnered with the Dinner Bell Feeding Ministry in March 2017. That was the beginning of a long and multi year commitment among the entities.The hospital has at least 8 associates who volunteer for meal service for the six times yearly partnership.
One of the goals of Christus Mother Frances is the alleviation of food insecurity in Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County. Partnering with Dinner Bell provides a very substantial meal to those lacking transportation, finances and/or the ability to prepare healthful foods for their families and/or themselves.
Within a few months Dinner Bell will reopen its doors again for in house dining which was changed to a meal distribution system because of Covid.
The Christus associates will then join together around meal tables with those seeking a nutritious meal. There will be prayer, interactions, conversation and fellowship at those tables. A new relationship can be started!!! WIth in house dining the Christus team will be allowed to Fellowship with individuals in the Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County community.
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
Chicken Pot Pie
Sweet and Savory Green Beans
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread Slices
Lemon Cake To Die For
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!!!
Texas Game Wardens Add Second Helicopter to Aviation Unit
Aug. 5, 2024 -AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has added a new helicopter to its fleet of law enforcement aircraft. The 2023 Airbus H125 helicopter will allow the Texas Game Warden Aviation Unit to expand their statewide response capacity for natural disasters, search and rescue incidents, air patrols and more.
“Adding a second helicopter with updated technology, Texas Game Wardens will be able to better serve the people of Texas by responding to natural disaster events and helping game wardens enhance their conservation law enforcement capabilities,” said Brandon Rose, Texas Game Warden chief pilot.
The aircraft is outfitted with the latest law enforcement technology and emergency response equipment, including a rescue hoist, thermal imager, searchlight, public address system, satellite communication, night vision and firefighting equipment. The new aircraft, which cost approximately $6.5 million, was made possible through legislative appropriation during the 87th Texas legislative session.
Based out of Austin, helicopter crews consist of a game warden pilot and a tactical flight officer. Both helicopters in the fleet have the capacity to carry additional game wardens and personnel, including K9 teams, during remote search and rescue missions and natural disaster response. The helicopters are also utilized for a variety of aerial surveillance operations such as showing wardens areas of their county not easily accessible by roads, finding hunters in remote areas and helping patrol for poachers.
“Since the new helicopter went into service in May, we have already assisted wardens and other agencies across the state in a variety of ways and have enjoyed the increased footprint two helicopters have provided us,” said Rose. “We’ve helped search for an evading felon in Bastrop County, assisted with a theft case search in Jim Wells County, performed aerial patrols as part of Operation Lone Star, searched for drowning victims across the state, helped with riverbed violations, conducted water safety patrols, as well as numerous training exercises and survey flights.”
TPWD has been utilizing aviation assets since 1930. The current unit now consists of two Airbus H125 helicopters and five pilots. Two new Cessna fixed-wing aircraft will be added to the fleet in 2025. Additionally, a team of game warden unmanned aircraft operators are stationed throughout the state to help further protect the natural and cultural resources of Texas.
