Community Chest Changes Hours: Starts New Program
Community Chest in Sulphur Springs is starting a new pickup program for all it’s clients. This new system allows clients to get fresh food every week.
Community Chest will now be open on Fridays starting 8-23-19 from 1p.m.-3p.m. All clients are encouraged to come in at this new time and pick up fruits and vegetables. Clients are reminded they must bring their own bags or boxes for this new pickup.
Community Chest will no longer be open on Monday beginning 8-21-2019.
Hopkins County Community Chest and Christian Alliance
217 Linda Drive
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
Phone: 903-885-3452
Lady Cats Volleyball Falls To Forney
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team Drops Road Match at Forney, 3-0 Tuesday Evening
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team lost a road contest at Forney Tuesday (August 20) evening, 3-0. The score was 16-25, 15-25 and 20-25. The Lady Cats have now lost two matches in a row. They also lost in the championship game of a Wills Point tournament to Commerce Saturday. The Lady Cats season record is now 10-6. The Lady Cats play next in an Edgewood tournament on Thursday and Saturday. A scheduling mix up prevented the Lady Cats from playing in a Tyler tournament later this week but Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner was able to get her team into the Edgewood tournament.
Wildcats Team Tennis Wins
Wildcats Team Tennis Takes 10-8 Win Over Pleasant Grove Tuesday at Wildcat Tennis Center
Wildcats Team Tennis took their second victory of the season edging by Pleasant Grove, 10-8 Tuesday (August 20) afternoon and evening. The teams did not play a mixed doubles match. In the last match of the night with both teams watching, Wildcats senior Jordan Gonzales dropped his first set but then rallied to take the second in a tiebreaker and then won another tiebreaker to win his match. That made the difference. If the match had gone the other way, the two teams would have ended in a 9-9 tie. The Wildcats split six boys and girls doubles matches getting wins from the girls team of Trynity Luckett and Mykylie Meador and from boys doubles teams of Aaron Lucas and Logan Schumacher and from Tate Smith and Alex Romero. Besides Gonzales, the Wildcats also got boys singles wins from Lucas, Schumacher, Carlos Lopez and Waylon Matlock. The Wildcats got girls singles wins from Paige Miesse and Savannah Lilley. The Wildcats season record is now 2-9. The Wildcats do not play again until Thursday, August 29 when they play Bullard at Tyler Junior College at 3:30 p.m. The two teams met in a Whitehouse tournament on August 15 with Bullard escaping with a 10-9 win.
Weed Control By Mario Villarino
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
As we continue our activities in pastures and meadows during this summer season, here a reminder of fundamentals on weed control from Dr. Vanessa Olsen, forage specialist for Texas A&M agrilife extension: Our human nature is to find a simple, one-time solution for our problems. Unfortunately, this simple, one time solution does not exist for weed control in pastures and hay meadows. There are several factors that are important when it comes to weed control. These include:
Weed Identification: We cannot make the best management decisions if we don’t even know what the plant is we are trying to eradicate. Identification will determine the timing of our herbicide application along with the herbicide we choose. There are a multitude of resources available to help with identification. County extension agents, extension specialist, websites books, etc. Identification is important since some herbicides are more effective on certain weed species than others. Correct identification of the target plant helps ensure the selection of the most effective herbicide as well as most effective time of application. As a general rule, herbicides are more effecting in young stages of the weed but those are harder to identify at that stage.
Timing of Application: Once we have identified the weed we can determine if the plant is an annual, biennial or a perennial. Growth pattern will influence our timing to maximize control as well as reduce future populations. Annual plants, like wooly croton, complete their life cycle in one year/season. Ideal time to spray annual weeds with herbicide is when they are small and growing, well before they produce any flower or seed. Perennials complete their life cycle in multiple years/seasons. They often reproduce by seed and can regrow from root structures. An example of a perennial is blackberry/dewberry. Most perennials need to be sprayed with a herbicide at blooming or shortly thereafter. Identification will help determine the best time to be the most effective with given herbicides.
Follow the Label Directions: Strict adherence to label directions is required by law. Paying close attention to label directions will also ensure safe, effective, and economical use. Herbicide labels contain directions for proper rate and timing of application, a list of susceptible species, and information regarding cleanup and disposal following use.
Remember: The label is the law. Always read the pesticide label before using. Do not follow recommendations against the law.
Cumby Bond Election: What The Bond Funds, Tax Impact
Voters within Cumby ISD will be asked this fall to cast their preference either in favor of or against a $6.2 million bond election to fund facilities improvements.
The bond proposal is at least 2 years worth of work by administrators trustees and a facilities comittee.
District administrators explained a facilities inventory and evaluation was ordered in 2017. Then, a 10-member facilities committee determined how best to meet district needs and what would be required to fund them. Wants and needs were assessed, with creation of a 20-35 year district facilities plan as the goal.
After considering many different plans proposed, trustees and school administrators feel they have one for the first phase of improvement.
The plan, identified as Option 4, would allow the elementary campus to be more secure. That includes an 11,200-square foot eight-classroom elementary addition at the end of the existing elementary building. A new enclosed playground would be constructed behind the expanded cafeteria. Drainage improvements, cafeteria expansion behind the elementary are also in the plan, secure entry, new parking and drives, sidewalks and canopies, interior renovations and secure entry are also in the elementary plan.
These improvement would not only allow for interior renovations, but make the campus more secure and safer for the district’s youngest students. It’d also get them out of portable buildings, which have exceeded their intended life span by at least 8 years.
The overall improvements planned the elementary are estimated to be $4.01 million.
Because these improvements would be on the current football field, the field would need to be relocated; it’d be moved west of the current school facilities. It would have an 8-lane dirt track around it, which would keep students on the school grounds as opposed to running along the roadside in town, which some citizens had expressed concern about. The estimate to relocate the stadium is estimated at $900,000. A paved track is not included at this time due to the significant cost.
A new metal shop for vocational technology and career and technology classes would accommodate changes in education to provide more students with opportunities for more industry certifications and as many college and career credits as possible. That is estimated at $480,000
In order to repay the bond, the ad valorem tax rate paid to Cumby ISD would increase.
The current tax rate is $1.19, with $1.06 going toward maintenance and operations and 13-cents toward the existing debt. If the bond passes, that will increase the school tax rate by 37-cents per $100 property valuation. That’d make Cumby ISD’s overall tax rate $1.56 per $100 of taxable assessed valuation; 50-cents would go to repay debts. Overall, that’s just 1-cent higher than Cumby ISD’s tax rate in 2014, the school officials noted.
Senior citizens who qualify for the 1-acre homestead exemption would still receive it, but all other property would be taxable. In other words, if a resident owns 40 acres, only the acre the home is on is exempt. The remaining 39 acres would still be subject to full school taxes. Any rules applied to agricultural land would be factored in as well.
After a 90 day period following passing of the bond, the design period would begin. Construction could potentially begin in the spring and span two summers. Fall of 2021 is targeted for students to start classes in the new facility. Construction on existing facilities would be conducted over the summer, during Christmas break or other lengthy school holidays. New construction could we done during the school year.
National Qualifier with American Degree through Como-Pickton FFA, Breanna Bowen Heads to Tarleton State University
Heading off to school In Stephenville, Texas at Tarleton State University is just one of the exciting life events for Breanna Bowen, a Hopkins County student who graduated from Como-Pickton CISD in 2018. In fact, she is starting her second year at Tarleton pursuing a degree toward…what else?…an ag-related career! Breanna’s major is Ag Communication. Her chosen career would involve writing and educating through agriculture publications, focusing on educating the next generation and serving as a voice for farmers. Her family and school background has served her well towards this pursuit.
Having earned four years of successful FFA involvement at Como-Pickton High School, Breanna’s path may have actually been set from birth! During a KSST Good Morning Show interview on August 21, 2019, she recounted that her parents represent several generations of dairy farming, on both sides of her families. “When I was born, my dad was dairying and my mom was still milking as well as showing cattle. She bought me a Jersey heifer when I was quite young, and which would become my first show animal. By the time I was in grade school, however, my parents Michael and Amy Bowen had sold out of the family dairies but they still showed me how I could be in the business. I started raising Jersey heifers and in time, I also began to handle the breeding process then began leasing the milking cows out to dairies for the months they were producing milk. I kept the calves to raise by hand, and I brought the cows home to our place during their dry period. Once bred, they go back as lease cows. So my herd of registered Jersey cattle is part of the dairy industry, although we don’t milk at home. It can be a good business, but involves planning and detailed record-keeping, which my years in FFA prepared me for. Even when I’m away at school, I am often home taking care of the cows and calves”.
Breanna is one of four finalists across the United States who are being considered for the National Proficiency Award. She and her family, including sister Bailey, now a Freshman at Como-Pickton, will attend the National Conference later this year. Whatever the outcome, she feels honored to have been named a finalist, and thanks her parents and her school for their support. “The other finalists are from big dairy-producing states, those that have the mega-dairies, so I’m naturally a little nervous! But I know my life-long hands-on experience will count for a lot, too”. Breanna explained that her SAE, or Supervised Agriculture Experience selection, has been carefully documented through high school as an ongoing FFA project. These SAE’s are analyzed by the national board in selecting the finalists. Although Breanna had several SAE’s to choose from, including other livestock projects and ag mechanics, it was her dairy cattle management and breeding proficiency that would take her the farthest, so she selected that as the SAE she presented in her application to the National committee.
Coming from a legacy of small, family-owned dairies, Breanna says she is saddened that the small family farm is having a hard time surviving with low milk prices and high expenses. She closed the radio interview with these thoughts. “In a perfect world, all the small 10 or 20-cow operations could thrive like they once did, here in Hopkins County and across this country. Some are shifting to cheese-making and staying small,. producing organic products and that’s good. However, in the big picture, the U.S. must now have a mindset on feeding a growing world. And a lot of the world’s population depends on American agriculture, not just in the crops we grow, but in the technology we develop. For example, the GMO’s we now produce are helping families in Africa to feed their own people in those countries. Many people talk against GMO technology, but the truth is, development of drought-resistant and even disease-resistant seed is helping feed the ever-growing hungry world”.
North Hopkins ISD Trustees Election Draws 7 Candidates
Seven candidates signed up for a place on the ballot in the North Hopkins Independent School District Board of Trustees Election.
Candidates, including incumbents are D. Ellis Dicus, Vicki Hillis Ferrell, Justin Holland, Andy Kendall, Robert McPherson, Sherry Smiddy and Charlie Vaughn.
Voters will be asked to select up to three candidates to fill three at-large full three-year term seats on the school board.
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted in the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Courtroom inside the Hopkins County Courthouse Annex, located at 128 Jefferson St. in Sulphur Springs.
Voting hours are: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21-26, Oct. 28, Oct. 30, Nov. 1; from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27; and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 29 and Oct. 31. Election Day voting will be at the designated polling locations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 5.
The last day to accept ballots by mail will by Friday, Oct. 25.
City Tax Rate Will Remain The Same; Water, Sewer Fees Will Increase In Coming Year
The city of Sulphur Springs is proposing a $30.5 million budget for fiscal year 2020.
The city budget is projected to fund routine operations as well as a few projects without having to raise the city tax rate above the current 44-cents per $100 property valuation, according to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell.
City residents will, however, see a small increase in water, sewer and trash rates, to help support those services in budget year 2020. Water costs will increase 3 percent, sewer 2 percent and trash 1.5 percent, according Maxwell.
The minimum water bill would increase by about 95 cents per month, raising to about $47.81. A bill typically twice that amount would increase only about $1.90 a month, according to the city manger.
Even with the increase, the city’s sewer rates are still “low compared to a lot of places,” Maxwell said.
While a small increase to the street maintenance fee was discussed, the rate, as currently proposed in the 2020 budget will remain $5 per bill, according to Maxwell.
Work reconstructing Connally and Sunset Streets is to be completed, then Bellview Street will be completely reconstructed. The street maintenance fee in 2020 will help pay for asphalt repairs to 19 city streets.
The proposed balanced budget was devised after numerous hours of work by city officials coordinating with each department and two budget workshops with the City Council, including one in which the council spent 2 hours going over the budget, line item by line item with only a couple of limited minor changes made, according to the city manager.
Maxwell said city officials met with each department head and asked what each needs to continue functioning at the current level. Each department reported they could use additional staff. However, each will continue to “make do with what they have” as no big revenue increase is expected this year to fund the cost of additional staff or any major equipment purchases.
A big factor in the budget balancing, Maxwell said, was the City Council’s adoption at their regular August meeting a proposal to lease instead of buy vehicles, with Enterprise Fleet Management handling financing and manage the city’s fleet — all vehicles including police vehicles, with the exception of fire trucks.
“Leasing vehicles instead of buying them, we think we will save some money, a $200,000 benefit. It’s the difference between the budget balancing or not,” Maxwell said. “It’s cheaper. Enterprise can buy them from manufacturers at a greatly reduced price, about 20 to 25 percent less.”
The city will begin with 27 new vehicles this year, with the number each year dropping as all of the fleet is put onto the plan, with additional vehicles added annually.
A cost of living increase of 1.25 percent was factored into the $30.5 million budget and, according to the city manager, an additional $248,000 was added to the fire department budget in an effort to maintain more firefighters on shift daily. The city has 21 firefighters, which should provide seven firefighters on duty for each of the three 24-hour shifts, Maxwell explained. However, some days, there are less than six firefighters on duty at a time due to firemen off on vacation, sick days or are otherwise unavailable. The city is mandating six firefighters on-duty daily. In order to ensure that, additional overtime and part-time increases were factored into the budget, accounting for a big part of that $248,000 increase in the city fire department budget.
Having healthy sales tax collections of $4.3 million helps as well. The city also receives $150,000 in economic development funding annually to pay on the remaining debt owed for construction of Coleman Park. That debt will be paid in full this year, which means this is also the last year the city will receive that funding.
However, the city has called for a special November election during which voters will be asked to consider allowing the city to take opay for significant renovations at Pacific Park, including a new community building, and to build a new senior citizens activity center. Those funds would come from EDC funding at a rate of $200,000 annually, if approved, to be used exclusively for those projects.
Among the projects included in the projected 2020 budget will be funds to finish up the wastewater treatment plant renovation, finish up two road reconstructions and rebuild another, street improvements earmarked for repairs through the Street Improvement Program, improvements at the water treatment plant and replacement of a pump for a waste system near the hospital. Most of these projects will be conducted by city staff, which will reduce costs.
The city has budgeted $100,000 to change the manner in which chemicals are introduced into the water system at the water plant. This will allow the city to get ahead of a regulation changes expected to be mandated in the near future.
An additional $50,000 has also been budgeted toward professional fees to finish up the acquisition of the old Thermo mine, which is expected to occur by the end of the calendar year, according to Maxwell.
Sulphur Springs Police Arrest 4 On Marijuana Possession Charges
Sulphur Springs Police arrested four people, two each at two different locations Monday on marijuana possession charges.
Special Crimes Unit investigators at 1:45 p.m. Aug. 19 stopped a Toyota Camry in the 100 block of South Moore Street for a traffic violation. On contact with the vehicle, the SCU officers alleged they could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Both the driver and passenger were asked to step out of the car and be patted down for officer safety, the SCU officers alleged in arrest reports.
The SCU officers alleged a small bag containing less than 2 ounces of a green, leafy substance they believed to be marijuana was found in the driver’s side door during a probable cause search of the car. Both occupants denied ownership of the substance, thus both occupants of the car, Sulphur Springs men ages 21 and 19, were arrested.
The 19-year-old Sulphur Springs man was released from jail later Aug. 19 on $1,000 bond on the misdemeanor charge. The 21-year-old remained in the county jail Tuesday afternoon in lieu of $1,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
At about 11:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 19, Sulphur Springs police responded to a complaint of two people smoking marijuana in a white Chrysler 200 in the 1400 block of Mockingbird Lane.
Upon contacting the pair, officers reported seeing a 19-year-old Caddo Mills man to be holding a blunt one hand. Less than 2 ounces of marijuana was visible in the car. The car was parked less than 1,000 feet of Bowie Primary School, a drug-free zone. Both the man and an 18-year-old Sulphur Springs woman were arrested on the Class A misdemeanor charge of possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana in a drug-free zone.
Both teens were released from jail Tuesday, Aug. 20, on $2,000 bond on the marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Aggravated Assault With Deadly Weapon Warrant
A 52-year-old Sulphur Springs was arrested Monday on an aggravated assault with deadly weapon warrant. Douglas Paul Merrell turned himself in at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office to Sgt. Richard Greer at 4:30 p.m., according to arrest reports.
Greer escorted Merrell into the county jail, where Merrell was booked, then released for jail later Monday on $50,000 bond on the aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, according to jail reports.
