Murder Trial Set to Begin Tuesday in Eighth Judicial District Court
Jury selection begins Monday in Eighth Judicial District Court. Gavin Heath Gilbert, 17, will be tried for Felony 1 Murder. Gilbert is in Hopkins County Jail being held on a $2-million bond for murder and $500,000 bond on each of the four counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The trial for the murder charge is set to begin Tuesday morning.
Gilbert was arrested in December of last year when a call to Hopkins County Deputies alerted law enforcement to a shooting that occurred on County Road 1185 near the South Liberty Community. Tyrese Pryor, 18, was in a vehicle that was driven to the Hopkins County Fire Department. Pryor had two gunshot wounds. He was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital where he was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer. Gilbert was arrested when the Texas Ranger, DPS, and the combined Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs SWAT team served a warrant around 2 a.m. the next day following the shooting at the Gilbert home, according to Sheriff Lewis Tatum. Tatum stated a disagreement between Gilbert, who was on foot on the county road, and five individuals in the vehicle led to the shooting. Four shots were fired into the vehicle with two rounds striking Pryor.
Local Man Arrested for Assaulting Wife
Officers at the scene of the assault reported Stark’s wife showed signs of the assault that included choking and restricting her airway until she blacked out. The victim had visible injuries.
Stark is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Assault Family Violence Impede Breathing, a Felony 3. He is being held on a $25,000 bond.
When Sulphur Springs police were called to an altercation in the 1000 block of North Davis Street, the aggressor in an assault had left the scene. However, one officer soon found John Ralph Stark, 35, of Sulphur Springs, westbound on Houston Street. When found, Stark exhibited sign of intoxication on alcohol and it was obvious he had been in an altercation.
Tira News for August 3rd, 2018
By Jan Vaughn
The Tira Food Pantry has received several donations lately. The council members want to express appreciation to everyone who has helped make food available to those in need.
The deadline to file as a write-in candidate for the Tira City Council is August 20th. Tira residents who have an interest in serving in this capacity, should contact me, Jan Vaughn, Tira City Secretary. My contact information is at the end of the column and my mailing address is 776 FM 1536, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Yvonne Weir reports, “The Weir family has been busy, busy, busy. Our goddaughter Shanna Parkinson and her sons Aaron and Caleb visited us and spent 3 nights earlier in July. We went to a birthday party in Garland at Dustin and Natalie’s for their niece and nephew Lukkas and Ellie on July 22. We were excited to see our friend Sarah and her son Lucas, as well as Destri, Eben and family, and Mike and Dacy and their family. Debra (Natalie’s mom) did professional face paintings that were amazing, but got washed off in the pool. We brought our granddaughters Mena and Emmy home with us and they visited for 3 days. They attended Vacation Bible School in Cooper while they were here. We took them and Wesley to Shenaniganz in Rockwall on Wednesday to meet Destri. Robert, Wesley, and I attended the Renaissance fair and jousting on Sunday. It was to benefit Shadow Ranch . Wesley goes to therapeutic riding classes there.”
Our nephew and niece, Michael Horn, of Schertz, Texas, and Tonja Horn, of Chicago, Illinois, and their families spent a few days with Liz Steinsiek (Michael & Tonja’s mother) at her Tira cabin. Chip, Tiffany, Jaidyn, Kenden and I enjoyed getting to visit with them while they were here.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected] .
Common Pasture Management Problems By Mario Villarino
A common pasture management problem faced by most Texas hay and/or livestock producers is weed and brush infestation. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Soil Specialist, weed species effectively compete with more desirable forage species for sunlight, moisture, and soil nutrients.
Whether herbaceous or woody species, if enough weeds are present in the pasture, the carrying capacity of the management unit is decreased, the nutritive value of the forage base is reduced, and input costs of the production enterprise are increased. The result is that profitability is reduced or losses are increased.
Weed infestation generally occurs due to poor management or uncontrollable climatic conditions such as drought. Introduced forage pastures, such as Bermuda grass, have been selected because of their ability to respond to fertilizer with significant increases in dry matter production. With proper fertility inputs, healthy forage stands usually can out-compete weed species.
Under low fertility conditions, however, weed species generally have the competitive advantage. Poor grazing management, usually overstocking, also contributes to weed infestation. Overstocking occurs when there are more animals per grazing unit relative to the unit’s ability to provide forage. Desirable forages are continuously and heavily grazed without the opportunity to recover and are thus reduced in abundance and/or frequency. Increased weed infestation occurs at this point.
Since most weed species are generally not as palatable to grazing animals, these species are generally ignored while more pressure is placed on the more desirable species. If this practice continues, a shift in plant species composition from desirable to less desirable species occurs. This change in plant composition is referred to as an overgrazed condition.
Thus, most weed problems are a direct result of past mismanagement. Most producers respond to weed problems by applying herbicides or mowing. If no change is made in the overall management of the operation, however, producers are only treating symptoms and not the direct cause of the problem.
In fact, if there are no desirable species present to respond to a release from weed infestation, many times producers may be left with only bare soil following an herbicide application. Weeds can be beneficial in reducing the level of both soil and water that may leave a site as runoff. Thus, in certain situations, a complete renovation of the pasture may be warranted.
As noted above, most weed problems can be directly attributed to a lack of fertility coupled with an overstocked livestock herd. Exceptions occur because of drought. During dry years, reduced forage growth from desirable grasses offers weed species the opportunity to become established.
If allowed to make seed, the year following a drought can witness a tremendous weed population. In this case, herbicides are usually required to manage the weed infestation. Drought conditions also encourage perennial weed infestations because their extensive root systems make them better able to survive these conditions.
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].
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
Spots Still Available in Marriage Education Workshop
I will be implementing the Twogether in Texas marriage education workshop and need your help getting the word out! This workshop is only offered three times a year, and this is the last one for 2018. The 2019 sessions are scheduled for February, May, and August. Three couples are currently signed up, but I have room for more. Here are the details for the one rapidly approaching:
What: Together in Texas Marriage Education workshop
When: Saturday, August 25
Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service – Hopkins County, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs, TX
Time: 8:30 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m.
Cost: no charge, Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Topics: Marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and dream & goals
Format: videos, couple interaction, group discussion
Engaged couples who take the workshop will receive a certificate to save $60 (the state portion) when applying for a marriage license.
Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up so adequate preparations can be made.
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Upcoming Events By Johanna Hicks
Back-to-School and Marriage Education
August is here, and your Texas A&M AgriLife Hopkins County Extension Office is buzzing with activity! Other than the Back-to-School Fair, County 4-H Achievement Banquet, “Certified Judges’ Training for Fairs, Festivals, and Events” which will all take place in August, I want to remind everyone that on August 25, the last Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshop for 2018 will be held.
Twogether in Texas is a state-recognized marriage education program. This workshop is provided three times every year – February, May, and August. The workshop provides engaged couples, married couples, or seriously dating couples with sound advice and useful information on building a strong marriage foundation. Through videos, group and couple interaction, and hands-on activities, couples learn ways to improve communication, resolve conflict, and effectively manage resources of time and money. Here is a brief synopsis of the segments provided in the workshop:
- Marriage Expectations: Have you discussed who will do the cleaning, cooking, gathering the trash, grocery shopping, mowing, car care, bill paying, etc.? This session takes a look at expectations that individuals bring to the marriage, whether spoken or unspoken. How many, if any, children do you want to have? How will childcare be handled? This and much more are covered in this important segment.
- Communication: You have probably heard about books written on the different ways men and women communicate…and it’s true! This fun segment will help couples understand how each person communicates. Neither way is wrong – just different! We’ll also take a look at the importance of making sure that what you are communicating is completely understood. Different words have different meanings in a relationship. We’ll particularly look at the words “fine” and “nothing.” The comical video sketch hits the nail on the head when it comes to how easily misunderstandings can get in the way!
- Conflict Resolution: This is perhaps is the most important segment of the day. Conflict is inevitable, but how couples handle the conflict makes all the difference. We’ll go through a process using a hypothetical conflict, and allow couples to work their way through it, while both discuss what they can do to solve the problem. Once we realize how both parties contribute to the problem, the solution is also found by both of the working together for a solution.
- Money Management: Often times, couples state that money is the number one source of conflict. Actually, control is the problem. We’ll explore money management in a way that is simple, yet very effective. Couples need to realize that small leaks can sink a mighty ship. Small money leaks here and there can leave a feeling of concern. Couples will explore income versus expenses and find a way to manage their resources to the fullest. The bean game adds fun to this segment – how many beans will you have left, if any?
- Goals and Dreams: This is my favorite segment! All couples need to have dreams and goals. Do you know what you want your marriage to look like 5, 15, 25 years or more down the road? What are the goals your relationship, your family, your career? We’ll hear from couples who have been together for years, and learn the secret of their success.
If this sounds like something you would like to attend, please call our office. As of this writing, three couples are signed up, but we have room for more! Here are the details again:
– When: Saturday, August 25
– Where: Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs
– Time: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
– Cost: no charge! Even better is the fact that engaged couples will receive a certificate to save $60 (the state portion) when applying for a marriage license at the County Clerk’s office.
– Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up so adequate preparations can be made.
Cooking Well with Diabetes
If you would like information on recognizing carbohydrate foods, reducing sodium and fat in the diet, increasing fiber, and celebrating with diabetes, you might be interested in attending this 4-lesson series, scheduled for September. Watch for details coming soon, but you can add these dates to your calendar: Mondays and Thursdays, September 10, 13, 17, and 20. Two times are being offered to accommodate everybody’s schedules – 1:30, repeated at 6:00 p.m. Classes will be held at the Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office. Cost is $25 for the entire series. Please call 903-885-3443 if you have questions or would like to sign up.
Closing Thought
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. – Albert Schweitzer
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Wildcat Football Welcomes Freshmen August 6th
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said football season began for some incoming ninth grade players this past Tuesday (July 31). Those incoming freshmen just completed a three-day camp designed just for them. Next week, the freshmen get to start football practice one week ahead of incoming sophomores, juniors and senior players. Coach Owens said the UIL is allowing schools that had spring football to bring in their incoming ninth graders, who did not go through spring football, on Monday (August 6).
Practice for incoming tenth graders through seniors won’t begin until August 13. Next week, the freshmen football practice will get underway at 5 p.m. Coach Owens said the freshmen workouts will give the varsity coaching staff a chance to spend more quality time with the ninth graders. The varsity coaches will also be able to work with freshmen coaches. Coach Owens said next week will also serve as a coaching clinic for some of the new hires on the coaching staff. He said beside grass time for the players, the practice sessions next week will also include meetings, weight room sessions and run throughs.
Wildcat Basketball Shooting Guard Willis Receives Scholarship Offer from St. Edward’s University
Another member of the Wildcats’ basketball team has received a scholarship offer. Wednesday (August 1), St. Edward’s University, a private school in Austin, made an offer to Wildcats 6-foot-3 shooting guard Keaston Willis. Willis, an incoming senior, will be playing his fourth year on the varsity this season.
In a recent interview, Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta said Drake, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin have also expressed interest in Willis.
Local Man Dies in Vehicle/Pedestrian Accident
A 41-old man was struck and killed by a vehicle at approximately 3 a.m. Thursday morning on East Shannon Road near College Street. Sulphur Springs Police are investigating the accident that led to the death of Kevin Wayne Plunkett of Sulphur Springs.
Both Plunkett and the vehicle were headed east bound on Shannon Road. The driver of the vehicle did stop to render aide at the time of the accident.
No other information was made available by SSPD Patrol Captain Jason Ricketson.
