Poverty Simulation Well Attended
February 8, 2024 – A poverty simulation hosted by the First United Methodist Church Sulphur Springs was well attended on Thursday. Community leaders, elected officials, local law enforcement and the public participated. The Gray’s Building in Pacific Park was chosen for the event.
The board game type activity provided education and learning and was created by Cultiv8Community, an organization based in Paris, Tx. Rev Dana Coker of Cultivat8Community was on hand to lead the event.
Senior Pastor Peter McNabb said, “We are hosting a board game, meal and discussion about the resources and gaps that we have in our community. We hope this leads to a fruitful discussion and positive changes. Your participation will be a great blessing to us and this community.”
For more details on the purpose of this event, see this post made in January of 2024.
AARP Tax-AIDE Officially Begins
February 7, 2024 – The AARP Tax-AIDE program officially saw their first clients of the 2023 tax season this week. This volunteer powered service is available to anyone regardless of age or residence. Volunteers from as far as Greenville traveled to the Sulphur Springs Public Library to help people file their Federal Income Tax.
They are not the only ones drawn to the Celebration City, clients are known to drive from as far as Paris, TX to get their paperwork in order.
The Covid pandemic forced several NE Texas Tax-AIDE centers to close. The Sulphur Springs location kept going through it all.
Library Director Hope Cain welcomes Tax-AIDE to the library each year. “It’s a good fit. While they get their return done, people can read a book or use the library’s other resources.”
Public libraries have long been a source of tax information. Even if you dont take part in the free return service, you can still get forms and other information at 611 N. Davis St. in Sulphur Springs, TX.
There are some tax returns that Tax-AIDE can not help with. But those situations are rare. Be sure to fill out your Tax-AIDE information packet before you arrive for your appointment.
If you would like to set an appointment with Tax-AIDE, follow this link. No walk-ins will be accepted.
Sulphur Springs High School Choir Took Students to UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest
February 6, 2024 – On Saturday, February 3, SSHS choir took 20 students to UIL Solo & Ensemble contest at Marshall High School. All 20 students received a medal for their hard work, preparation, and commitment to artistry. 16 of the 20 students qualified for Texas State Solo & Ensemble.
Solo & Ensemble is a time when I see a lot of musical and personal growth from the students. Very little time in class is spent on learning and preparing. The students have to be internally motivated to rehearse independently and responsible in scheduling times to work with me after school. They also learn to gracefully accept criticism and using feedback to fuel their performance. We’re lucky to have great accompanists working with us. Chad Houk, Mary Ellen Kirkland, and Melissa Bilyeu are crucial to helping our students succeed.
The following students received 1st division rating on their solo. marks state qualifiers Mika Boren
Ka’Lecia Christman
Adriana Espinoza*
Finn Friddle
Caitlin Foster*
Kaisy Garcia Hidalgo*
Mikel Godwin*
Katie Henderson*
Ben Lovelady*
Celeste McCoy*
Reese Offutt*
Mars Patterson*
Braylen Savage*
Xen Simmons*
Karisma Stegient*
Jaya Smith*
Jamie Tavera*
Jaiden Wade
Bailee Wilkerson
The following students qualified for TSSEC with their ensemble(s). marks more than one ensemble Mika Boren
Caitlin Foster
Mikel Godwin
Alan Guzman
Ben Lovelady
Celeste McCoy*
Reese Offutt*
Mars Patterson*
Xen Simmons
Jaya Smith
Beth Cole (she/her)
Sulphur Springs HS Choir
Region IV Vocal Chair
Prevent the Spread of Oak Wilt in Texas
February 6, 2024 – AUSTIN, Texas – While winter is the ideal time to prune trees, pruning after recent droughts and freezes may cause more damage than good this year.
“Pruning always adds stress to trees because it opens wounds that need to seal, so if a tree is already stressed, it’s best to avoid unnecessary pruning this year,” Demian Gomez, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Forest Health Coordinator. “Especially avoid pruning for aesthetics and controlling growth if a tree is already showing signs of stress.”
For oak trees specifically, all wounding, including those produced by pruning, construction activities, livestock, land clearing, lawnmowers, string trimmers and storms should be painted over to produce a physical barrier and prevent the spread of oak wilt.
Oak wilt is one of the deadliest tree diseases in the United States, killing millions of trees across 76 counties of Texas.
Any new wound on oaks can be an entry point for infection. Small insects, called sap beetles, move spores of oak wilt fungus to new trees and are very active in late winter and early spring. Because of this, pruning or wounding trees should be avoided from February through June and no matter the time of year, all oak tree wounds should be painted immediately.
“Prevention is key to stopping the spread of oak wilt,” said Gomez. “With wounds being the best entry point for the pathogen, landowners should avoid pruning or wounding trees from February through June.”
Oak wilt is caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum. The fungus invades the xylem, the water-conducting vessels of the trees, and the tree responds by plugging the tissues, resulting in a lack of water to the leaves, slowly killing the infected tree.
All oaks are susceptible to oak wilt. Red oaks are the most susceptible and can die in as little as one month after being infected. Live oaks show intermediate susceptibility, whereas white oaks are the least susceptible, but they are not immune to infection.
Oak wilt can spread two ways – above ground by sap-feeding beetles or underground through connected roots.
The disease spreads above ground by sap beetles more rapidly in late winter and spring because of high fungal mat production and high insect populations. During this time, red oaks that died of the disease last year may produce spore mats under the bark. With a fruity smell, these mats attract small, sap-feeding beetles that can later fly to a fresh wound of any oak tree and infect it, starting a new oak wilt center.
The second way oak wilt can spread is underground by traveling through interconnected root systems from tree to tree. Oak wilt spreads an average of 75 feet per year by the root system. This occurs primarily in live oaks and is responsible for the majority of spread and tree deaths in Central Texas.
Oak wilt is often recognized in live oaks by yellow and brown veins showing in leaves of infected trees, known as veinal necrosis. This time of year, it may be difficult to diagnose oak wilt due to seasonal transitioning of oak leaves in the spring – when evergreen oak trees shed their old leaves while simultaneously growing new leaves. The signs of oak wilt can be seen on a majority of leaves when a tree is fully infected. Landowners should contact a certified arborist if they are unsure if their tree is infected.
“For red oaks particularly, one of the first symptoms of oak wilt is leaves turning red or brown during the summer,” said Gomez. “While red oaks play a key role in the establishment of new disease centers all oaks can move oak wilt through root grafts, particularly live oaks.”
To stop the spread of oak wilt through the root system, trenches can be placed around a group of trees, at least 100 feet away from the dripline of infected trees and at least four feet deep, or deeper, to sever all root connections. Another common management method for oak wilt is through fungicide injection. The injections only protect individual trees injected and best candidates for this treatment are healthy, non-symptomatic oaks adjacent to and up to 75 to 100 feet away from symptomatic trees.
Other ways to help prevent oak wilt include planting other tree species to create diversity in the area; avoiding moving firewood; and talking with neighbors about creating a community prevention plan for oak wilt. Infected red oaks that died should be cut down and burned, buried or chipped soon after discovery to prevent fungal mats that may form.
Not only is saving oak trees important for our ecosystem and health, but also for property values and community aesthetics. Loss of trees due to oak wilt can reduce property values by 15 to 20 percent.
Some cities and municipalities, including Austin, the City of Lakeway, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Round Rock, have oak wilt programs in place with municipal foresters dedicated to managing the disease. Texans can also contact their local Texas A&M Forest Service representative with any questions about this devastating disease.
For more information on oak wilt identification and management, visit https://texasoakwilt.org/ or Texas A&M Forest Service’s website at https://tfs.tamu.edu/.
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Free Mental Health App Available for A&M-Commerce Students
February 6, 2024 – COMMERCE, TX—Students at Texas A&M University-Commerce now have access to TELUS Health Student Support, a free and confidential mental healthcare app available to the more than 153,000 students in The Texas A&M University System.
“At A&M-Commerce, we are committed to eliminating barriers to student success,” said Jayson Douglas, executive director for Student Access and Success. “The TELUS Health Student Support app will make it easier for our students to take the first step toward positive mental health.”
TELUS, available for iOS or Android, is accessible any time students need it, wherever they are. Through the app, students can quickly connect with one of more than 1,500 licensed TELUS counselors via text or phone at no cost.
While the app is designed to offer immediate access and support when on-campus counseling services are unavailable, TELUS counselors encourage students to schedule appointments with the A&M-Commerce Counseling Center for continued care.
Other app features include an educational media library covering a variety of mental health-related topics, anonymous assessments for conditions like depression, anxiety, and drug use, and even access to guided meditations and fitness sessions.
The TELUS app can be installed and set up in just a few short steps, allowing students to connect with professional counselors whenever they want. Services are available in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, Mandarin and Cantonese. Other languages may be available by request. Students may even schedule repeat sessions with the same counselor as needed.
Adam Metts, interim director of the Counseling Center at A&M-Commerce, said the app is a welcome addition to services provided at the center.
“The need for mental health support has risen at a rapid pace over the past few years,” Metts said. “The Counseling Center has worked hard to meet those demands in flexible and creative ways. This app is a great addition to our service model and will enhance mental health services for all A&M-Commerce students.”
Judy Sackfield, vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students at A&M-Commerce, thanked Chancellor John Sharp and the A&M System Regents for investing in the new mental health care benefits.
“I’m thrilled that Chancellor Sharp and the Texas A&M System Regents are investing in TELUS Health Student Support for our students,” Sackfield said. “This innovative platform reflects our commitment to fostering a culture of well-being that ensures every student has access to the support they need when they need it.”
For more information about the TELUS Health Student Support app, contact the A&M-Commerce Counseling Center at 903.886.5145.
Extreme Environmental Conditions Make Texas Trees Susceptible to Secondary Stressors
February 5, 2024 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas—With three consecutive years of severe weather conditions throughout Texas, including extended hard freezes and droughts, East Texas trees have become vulnerable to secondary threats. These threats include cedar bark beetles, Ips engraver beetles, hypoxylon canker and cedar rust fungi.
Trees experience threats like insects and diseases regularly, and when a healthy tree encounters these stressors under positive conditions, they can show little to no reaction to the threat. However, environmental conditions such as droughts, extreme winter weather and new construction development can add primary stress to the trees. As the trees encounter prolonged stress under these factors, they become more susceptible to secondary threats.
Ben Plunkett, Texas A&M Forest Service District Forester, explained that many secondary factors, like insects and fungi, can almost always be found in forests throughout the state, but healthy trees are not as threatened by them and do not indicate an infection.
“We can relate these secondary factors of trees to human bacteria,” said Plunkett. “If we cultured every tissue on our body, we would probably find bacteria, but it will only turn ‘toxic’ under certain conditions. Trees respond similarly in that weakened trees will see an increase in reaction to the fungi and insects.”
Environmental conditions can affect trees for years and decades to come. For instance, Plunkett noted that the droughts of 2011 and 2015 are still oppressing the surviving trees today.
Allen Smith, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Forest Health Coordinator, reiterated this sentiment. “The trees are under such severe stress that it takes one little additional factor like a cedar bark beetle to push the tree into mortality,” said Smith.
Common fungi spread among cedars in Texas are cedar rust fungi. Most commonly seen as cedar-apple rust or cedar-hawthorn rust, these fungi are not deadly but can cause irreversible damage. These fungi can cause leaf discoloration and “bleeding” cankers. Cedar-apple rust is recognized by its distinct reddish-brown galls around young branches and twigs that resemble the size of a golf ball.
Among the current most threatening fungi to weakened hardwood trees in East Texas is hypoxylon canker. Symptoms of hypoxylon canker can include browning of the leaves and sloughing of bark, which exposes a gray or black fungus on the sapwood of the stem or major limbs.
Threatening insects to weakened trees currently include Ips engraver beetles and cedar bark beetles. Symptoms of Ips engraver beetles occur in pine trees and include discolored crowns, dying branches and numerous white to reddish brown pitch tubes on the bark. Adult Ips beetles are cylindrical, measuring approximately 3/32” in length with a black to reddish brown color.
Symptoms of cedar bark beetles occur in cypress and juniper trees and include the discoloration and dropping of leaves; twig and branch decline; and small exit holes present on the bark of trunk or limbs which are sometimes accompanied by “sawdust” around the boring or tree. Adult cedar bark beetles are approximately the size of a grain of rice with cylindrical bodies and a reddish colored back.
In closing, Smith noted that many of the trees that appear to be dying may experience significant recovery this spring. The warmer, wetter and more stable weather conditions of the spring will take environmental stress off the trees, allowing them more strength and immunity toward secondary factors.
If Texas residents notice repeated or widespread tree abnormalities in their community, Texas A&M Forest Service local foresters are able to inspect and address specific concerns. Find your local forester here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/contactus/location-search/
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Try a Beit Cucumber in 2024 From Master Gardener David Wall
February 5, 2024 – Most know of the “standard” cucumbers for gardens, which include Straight 8, Marketmore and Marketmore76. These are excellent cucumbers and typical results are usually 15-20 fruit per plant, although in excellent soils, the totals can reach and possibly exceed 25.
Quite a few years ago, Israeli farmers created a family of “Beit” non-hybrid cucumber plants. While seeds cost more, the plants produce more. The two best known are arguably Beit alpha and Socrates. Both are gynoecious, producing only female flowers, and parthenocarpic, which means they don’t require pollination in order to produce fruit. They have a tender, thin skin that doesn’t have to be peeled, combined with a firm crispness, and can be harvested anywhere between 4 and 8”. The thin skin makes them excellent for pickling. Beit cucumbers are cultivars, meaning they have the same characteristics as their “original” parents.
Beit cucumbers have a great flavor and produce higher yields than the “usual” cucumbers. Instead of a maximum production of say 25, the Beit alpha produces up to 65 fruit, while the Socrates has been known to produce as many as 100 fruit. Of course, the maximum production requires excellent soil, great sunlight and plenty of water. Oh yes, they’re also burpless!
Once in a while, a male flower is produced. Pollination results in the same cucumber, but with seeds, and this will take out some of the sweetness.
Beit cucumbers have a high-water requirement along with the usual sunlight requirements. They’re a heavy feeder, will tolerate light shade, and need plenty of growth space, although they do excellent in containers, although large containers (21 gal”) are recommended. Four-foot fence-type cages are needed, but 5’ would be better. With good soil and garden management, they can produce two crops a year.
Other Beit varieties include Tyria, and Picolino.
Paris Junior College Names Students to Fall 2023 President’s and Dean’s List
The dedication and hard work of Paris Junior College students is being recognized as more than 200 students have been named to the President’s and Dean’s lists for academic achievement in the Fall 2023 semester.
To be eligible for the President’s List, students must earn a 4.0 grade point average, (straight A’s) on a minimum of 15 semester hours. Those on the Dean’s List must have a minimum of a 3.5 grade point average for at least 15 semester hours, and have no grade lower than a “C.” The lists are compiled exclusive of developmental hours.
Texas students named to the President’s List:
Aledo: Keaton Laidley
Amarillo: Braize Mitchell
Arthur City: Kyle Melvin
Austin: Connor Freeman
Avery: Danya Tapken
Bedford: Kadynce Crenshaw
Blossom: Ethan Adams, John Coleman, Brady Garrison, Lorna Lewis, Valerie Marsey, Christopher Withrow
Brookston: Emma Woodard
Burkburnett: Jace Starling
Campbell: Charles Duffey
Celeste: Nancy Ramirez
Clarksville: Gary Boyett
Commerce: Alexander Garcia
Como: Nicholas Niemirowski
Cooper: Zane White
Cumby: Mallory Wheat
De Kalb: Whitney Lemley
Deport: Kacie Dunbar
Dike: Mariano Cuarenta
Fort Worth: Hailey Evans
Garland: Halbertson Nguyen
Greenville: Johnny Honeycutt, Gabriel Paulin, Josue Salazar, Dustin Thiessen, Nathan Yanez
Heath: Elliott Korson
Honey Grove: Ty’Ciera Battle, Anthony Holman, Lisa Williams, Lowell Williamson
Jarrell: Jaelyn Brooks
Katy: Tatiana Singhal
Kyle: Vyaney Sanchez
Lakeway: Dylan Schlotterback
Lone Oak: Katelyn Walker
Midland: Caydence Gonzalez
Mount Vernon: Edgar Martinez
Mt. Pleasant: Higinio Sanchez
Odessa: Cooper Golden
Paris: Thomas Bercher, Addison Brown, Kylie Burchinal, Keandre Dunkins, Anthony Finch, Caitlin Fountain, Christian Hill, Malachi Leija, Micah Minjarez, Grace Moore, Avery Moreland, Christian Pearson, Karla Peralta, Jeremy Renfro, Laren Robertson, Kaylha Sanchez, Jesse Simpson, Shamar Whaley, Sarah White, Kristen Young, Richard Zacapa
Point: Jorge Rosas
Powderly: Elizabeth Guillory
Quinlan: Emily Anders, Ivan Bault, Justin Lewis
Reno: Caleb Jameson, Bradley Resendiz
Rockwall: Elijah Gelinas
Roxton: Isabella Theye
Royse City: Sabrina Graham, Makena Maldonado
Sulphur Springs: Diego Aguilar, Shane Bailey, Amber Berry, Morgan Lothman, Kaitlyn Stewart
Sumner: Celine Mulder, Kaidynse Steed
Telephone: Eric Laxo, Casey Reiniche
Winnsboro: Avalyn Rose
Students from other states named to the President’s List:
Lakewood, California: Laci Berecochea
Olathe, Kansas: Ethan Guerra
Shreveport, Louisiana: William Soignier
Columbia, Maryland: Nevaeh Brown
Antlers, Oklahoma: Richard Hutcheson
Hugo, Oklahoma: Jacey Taylor
Idabel, Oklahoma: Allison Warren
Rufe, Oklahoma: Karley Cunningham
Soper, Oklahoma: Cameron Davis
Valliant, Oklahoma: Shandi Stuart
Texas students named to the Dean’s List:
Amarillo: Will Franklin
Arlington: Chloe Walter
Bagwell: Hayden Hill
Caddo Mills: Samantha Abbott, Ari Gordon, Caroline Terry
Campbell: Danny Deaton, Shawn Hartline
Canton: Jacob Myers
Celeste: Tobias Hackney, Carlena Spagnuolo
China Spring: Brenan Daniel
Commerce: Alisha Harper, Sydney Petrea, Christopher Pope, Angela Tijerina
Como: James Barrett
Cooper: Sarah Swaim
Cumby: Valerie Jenkins
Dallas: Hayeli Acosta, Preston Gamster, Adam Gillett
Denison: Anthony Cruz
Deport: Lindsey Burns
Detroit: Ashley Langehennig, Jenay Oldfield
Dike: Jayden Forester, Matthew White
Edgewood: Lacey Taylor
El Paso: Leonardo Garcia
Everman: David Rivas
Forney: Tatum Waller
Fort Worth: Isabela Cornell
Granbury: Laura Burch
Grand Prairie: Nevaeh Bluefer
Greenville: Alejandro Aguirre, BaiLee Aimes, Raesha K C, Kyle Robertson, Isabella Ruelas, Madelyn Stanley, Jessica Wiethorn, Jason Wright, Lamatou Zime
Honey Grove: Jordan Woods
Hughes Springs: Grace Pippin
Humble: Allison Reese
Lone Oak: Emily Niles, Emily Phillips
Mansfield: Kallen Fletcher
McKinney: Alyssa Rivera
Midland: Tanner Carlisle
New Boston: Savanah Hill
Paris: Cynthia Brown, Sean Camp, Makina Cass, Daniel Dyck, William Fendley, Alexis Jackson, Jocalyn Leija, Connor Lewis, Isabella Maggi, Alexis Moreland, Emma Naylor, Ayanna Patterson, Michaelyn Pendergraft, Ruben Resendiz, Deontae Rhines, Samantha Salazar, Makala Wilkinson, Da’Shonna Woolum, Emily Yearwood
Pattonville: Hanna Cope, Madison Sullivan
Powderly: Jamie Bolton, Justin Daughtrey, Owen Figueroa
Princeton: Ezra Arredondo
Quinlan: Rylee Andrews, Savanna Christian, Brennan Gard, Kaylee Mossman
Quitman: Victoria O’Connor-Bathe
Rockwall: Riley Oakes, Zachary Willey
Royse City: Kaden Daughenbaugh, Nicholas Gill
Saltillo: Colby Scott
Sherman: Joey Steinhoff
Spring: Jennifer Battiste, Jackson Braun
Sulphur Bluff: Dewitt Brookins, Trista Flowers
Sulphur Springs: Mason Booth, Camron Carter, Ricardo Chavarria, Landin Dugnolle, Edwin Enriquez, Takara Galloway, Laney Hurst, Jason Keyes, Emma Magnuson, Shannon Morgan, Madison Roberts
Terrell: Hope Burks, Tyler Evans
White Oak: Brandon Puckett
Winnsboro: Luis Hernandez
Students from other states and countries named to the Dean’s List:
San Leandro, California: Olivia Koupal
Manta, Ecuador: Kevin Zambrano
Orlando, Florida: Oscar Hernandez
Caddo, Oklahoma: Brandon McAnally
Finley, Oklahoma: Trenton VanNoy
Bulls Gap, Tennessee: Kristen Peacock
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report 1-29-2024 – 2-4-2024
Arrests:
Souza, Christopher, 41 years of age, of Pittsburg, TX, was arrested on 2-2-2024 for Warrant out of Harris County, TX, and Poss CS PG 2>=1G<4G.
Espinoza, Aide, 46 years of age, of Holly Lake, TX, was arrested on 2-3-2024 for Public Intoxication and Resisting Arrest.
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 122 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 28 citations and 32 warnings during this reporting period.
City Council Election Issues: Results of the Poll
February 5, 2024 – The results are in. Of the the issues suggested, the overwhelming issues on the minds of people who voted in the online pole are:
Currently three seats are up for grabs in the City Council Election coming up in early May. There is still time for more candidates to sign up.
