Financial Incentives Program Aids Forestry Climate Solution Practices
February 22, 2024 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Texas A&M Forest Service is awarding $8.25 million through the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative, a financial incentives program to fund non-industrial, private, small-acreage landowners. The five-year project, led by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and funded by the USDA’s Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities grant, will provide financial incentives to agricultural commodities across Texas.
The Texas Climate-Smart Initiative program incentivizes farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon beyond normal practices. Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the Texas Climate-Smart initiative aims to maximize this carbon capture potential while simultaneously producing high-quality fiber for the timber industry.
“We are excited for the opportunity to help Texas forest landowners achieve their carbon-focused forestry goals while improving the overall health and vigor of their trees through this financial incentives program,” said Michelle Moore, Texas A&M Forest Service Staff Forester.
Landowners interested in conducting science-based, carbon-focused forest management practices may apply for funds for one of five categories available through the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative for forestry practices including stand establishment, forest fertilization, herbicide application, prescribed burning and forest thinning.
“Purposeful, prudent and proactive forest management is essential to maintaining the environmental sustainability of our forests while also securing landowners’ generational investments in their forests,” said Moore. “This program is expanding the accessibility of climate-smart practices to many Texans – especially those that are at an “economy of scale” disadvantage in traditional markets.”
For more information on the Texas Climate-Smart Initiative application process, frequently asked questions, newsletter signup and more, visit tfsweb.tamu.edu/climatesmart.aspx.
For more information on grants provided by Texas A&M Forest Service and partners, visit https://texasforestinfo.tamu.edu/fundingconnector/.
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A&M-Commerce Staff Member Receives Emmy Award for Musical Compositions
February 22, 2024 – COMMERCE, TX—A staff member at Texas A&M University-Commerce was honored with an Emmy Award from the Rocky Mountain Southwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Taylor Mefford, who works as manager of videography in the Office of Marketing and Communications at A&M-Commerce, received the award as part of the production team for “Unresolved,” a true-crime mini-documentary detailing the murder of Adrienne Salinas, a 2013 case that remains unsolved. Mefford composed the original musical score for the series, which aired on KPHO-TV in Phoenix, Arizona
The announcement came at the 46th Annual Rocky Mountain Emmys award ceremony in late 2023.
Mefford, who graduated from A&M-Commerce in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television, spends most of his time behind a camera. However, he picked up music composition as a hobby during his teenage years.
While working for KPHO’s parent company, Meredith Corporation, in 2020, he decided to throw his hat in the ring to compose for the station’s new documentary series.
“I have mixed feelings about the true crime genre, so I wasn’t sure at first if I wanted to compose for this project,” Mefford said. “But the series was very grounded and wanted to present the facts of what happened.”
Mefford originally supplied a nine-track demo for consideration and was brought on to the project almost immediately. While the series was originally scheduled to air in November 2021, it was delayed until June 2022 due to developments in the case through the court system. The program aired after Mefford left KPHO to join the staff at A&M-Commerce.
In total, he composed more than three hours of original music for use across the series’ six episodes, some of which remained unused. Mefford explained that the project pushed him outside of his comfort zone.
“Since composition is mostly just a hobby for me, this series was a step up,” Mefford said. “I’ve taken quite a break from making my own music, but I’ll get back to it.”
The series is available to stream for free at the KPHO website.
Severe Weather Education Class Scheduled for Tuesday, February 27th, 2024
February 22, 2024 – The 2024 spring severe weather season is not too far away, and the National Weather Service and local public safety officials want you to be ready. The National Weather Service (NWS) Office located in Fort Worth will be conducting a free Severe Weather Education class in Hopkins County on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Sulphur Springs City Hall. Officially known as the SKYWARN Storm Spotter Training Class, the program will be held in partnership with the City of Sulphur Springs. There is no cost to attend this class, no pre-registration is required, and you do not have to be a resident of Hopkins County to attend.
This class is for established storm spotters and/or anyone who is interested in learning more about severe weather threats in North and Central Texas and how to be prepared. The class will feature an in-depth review and study of the various threats posed by severe thunderstorms. The program will also explore thunderstorm characteristics and features associated with severe and non-severe storms. Additionally, the program highlights severe weather safety and how you can report severe weather information to the NWS Fort Worth Office and local public safety officials.
The Hopkins County Severe Weather Education class is part of NWS Fort Worth’s annual severe weather preparedness campaign and is one of several severe weather training programs the NWS Fort Worth Office will conduct around the region between January and March 2024. Other classes across the region can be found at: https://www.weather.gov/fwd/skywarnmap. The National Weather Service Office in Fort Worth provides forecasts, warnings, and weather-related services for 46 counties in North and Central Texas. For more information, visit the NWS Fort Worth Office website at https://weather.gov/fortworth, find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSDallasFortWorth or on Twitter: @NWSFortWorth.
Chamber Connection – February 21st
By Butch Burney
February 22, 2024 – Need glasses for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse? Want a T-shirt and sticker? We know where you can get them.
We have eclipse merchandise at the Chamber of Commerce, including T-shirts, stickers and glasses. With tens of thousands of visitors targeting Hopkins County for April 8, don’t wait until the last minute.
The Chamber has an eclipse website, TotalEclipseSSTx.com, in which you can upload information about events, attractions, lodging, retail shops and restaurants. That will be the information clearinghouse for what is happening in Hopkins County on April 8 and the weekend leading up to that day.
We will be hosting a free concert on Saturday, April 6, downtown, featuring The Paper Dolls, Jason Waldon and the Alibis and Dubb and the Luv Machines. Plus, there will be vendors’ market at The Venue at 219 that weekend.
Check out the website, upload information and get prepared!
Chamber Golf Tournament
For all the linksters out there, the Chamber’s annual golf tournament, which is historically the first Friday in April, has been moved to the first Friday in May due to the eclipse traffic. We will post registration information the middle of next week.
The tournament is limited to 43 teams – 18 in the morning and 25 in the afternoon.
Cocktails and Conversation
Join us for our next Cocktails and Conversation mixer, hosted by the Haus of Sabo at their new studio located at 206 Church St. The mixer will be from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, March 7.
You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend and there is no charge.
Come and enjoy some cocktails and conversation.
Ribbon Cuttings
Pioneer Café will host a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, at their new location on Jefferson Street. Please join us for this event.
Lone Star Community Response will have a ribbon cutting at noon on Feb. 22 at the Chamber office. Everyone is welcome.
Gear Up Supplements will have a ribbon cutting at their location at 101 Bill Bradford Road at noon Friday, Feb. 23. Please join us.
Jade’s Facial and Wax will have a ribbon cutting at noon on Monday, Feb. 26, at 1217 South Broadway St., Suite 1. Please join us.
Texas Rangers Spring Training Games Start Friday
February 22, 2024 – KSST is excited to bring you Texas Ranger Baseball once again this year. Spring Training games will begin broadcasting Friday, February 23.
The Friday game will be played in Surprise Stadium in Arizona in the early afternoon. The Texas Rangers Network require affiliates like KSST to broadcast some games in delay, starting at 8PM central.
Upcoming Games:
- Friday February 23, 8PM (delayed)
- Saturday February 24, 2PM
- Sunday February 25, 2PM
- Friday March 1, 8PM (delayed)
Please remember that pre-season games can be a moving target. We will do our best to get the all the games on the air. Also remember that Sulphur Springs Wildcat and Ladycat games take broadcast priority over Texas Rangers Game broadcasts.
IRS Warns of Email Scams During Tax Season
February 22, 2024 – As the official start of tax season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is issuing a crucial warning about scams that could potentially cost taxpayers hundreds of dollars.
The latest scam to be aware of involves an email that appears to be from the IRS and features the agency’s logo. This deceptive email talks about the “Third round of economic impact payments,” stating it concerns “an important matter regarding your recent tax return filing.”
The email notes “we have identified certain inconsistencies or missing information” and falsely promises a refund of $976 once the documents requested are submitted. There’s also a button labeled “complete my information”, but it is a trap that the IRS warns against clicking.
“It’s hard to imagine what someone’s going to come up with next as a scam,” Robert Marvin IRS Media Relations Specialist said.
He points out the red flags taxpayers should watch for, such as inconsistencies in the email content. For example, at the very bottom of that email with the IRS logo, there’s the presence of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s, that should be a warning sign.
Marvin emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing emails for “strange versions and spellings of IRS,” and advises being alert to “typos, misspellings, and things that don’t look normal in business correspondence.”
The IRS says there’s a one hard and fast rule to always keep in mind.
“The IRS does not initiate with taxpayers, request for information through email, through text or social media, we just don’t do business that way. When we’re requesting for information we use the US Mail,” said Marvin.
According to the IRS, thieves ramp up efforts to steal your personal information during tax season. Their goal is to file fraudulent tax returns and claim your refund. Before giving any personal information, contact the IRS directly.
Sample Ballots For March 5th Primary
February 20, 2024 – Democrats and Republicans can cast their votes to narrow down their choice of candidates to appear on an upcoming November general election during the March 5th Primary. Republicans will also get to answer some questions on immigration, border security, and property taxes, although the outcomes of those votes are not binding. You can see a copy of each of the March 5th Primary ballots by clicking on the links below:
It’s Time to Vote, AGAIN in Hopkins County
February 20, 2024 – Early voting for the March 5th primary is underway in Hopkins County, not only for local offices, but for state-wide and presidential as well. Registered Republicans will have the larger ballot as they will consider 22 offices and 13 non-binding ballot propostions. On the Democratic side, 13 offices will be considered with zero ballot propostions. Many of the Republican elections will decide who will hold that office in the future as there are no Democratic challegers for the future general election.
State House Representative District 2 primary is being held this election cycle as that seat was just filled for it’s unexpired term which ends a the end of this year. Jill Dutton will be on the ballot as incumbent and again being challenged by Brent Money on the Republican Primary Ballot. Kristen Washington is running unopposed for the same seat on the Democratic Primary Ballot.
Local Offices on Republican Primary Ballot that do not have a Democratic challenger are as follows:
8th Judicial District Judge
Eddie Northcutt
62nd Judicial District Judge
Will Biard
District Attorney, 8th Judicial District
Will Ramsay
County Attorney
Dustanna Hyde Rabe
Sheriff
Johnny Paul “JP” Moseley
Lewis Tatum
County Tax Assessor-Collector
Chasity Campbell
County Commissioner, Precinct 1 (on ballot for voters residing in Precinct 1)
Welsey Miller
Steven Big Smith
Mickey Barker
County Commissioner, Precinct 3 (on ballot for voters residing in Precinct 3)
Travis Thompson
Lance Knotts
William (Bill) Holden
Constable, Precinct 1 (on ballot for voters residing in Precincts 1 & 2)
Dennis L. Findley
Chris Hill
Constable, Precinct 2 (on ballot for voers residing in Precincts 3 & 4)
John Brian Beadle
County Chair
Donnie W. Wisenbaker
Republican Primary Ballot Propositions
February 20, 2024 – Republicans will have 13 ballot propostions to consider during the upcoming March 5th primary election. These ballot propostions are NOT legally binding, but just a way to gauge the consensus of Texas Republicans during this election on a range of topics. The following is a list of the 13 propositions that Republicans can answer on the ballot to give their opinion on topics ranging from taxes, border security, immigration and school vouchers. Early voting is now open by public appearance at 128G Jefferson St., in Sulphur Springs. Election day is Tuesday, March 5th.
2024 Ballot Propositions:
1.) Texas should eliminate all property taxes without increasing Texans’ overall tax burden
Yes
No
2.) Texas should create a Border Protection Unit, and deploy additional state law enforcement and military forces, to seal the border, to use physical force to prevent illegal entry and trafficking, and to deport illegal aliens to Mexico or to their nations of origin.
Yes
No
3.) The Texas Legislature should require the use of E-Verify by all employers in Texas to protect jobs for legal workers by preventing the hiring of illegal aliens.
Yes
No
4.) The Texas Legislature should end all subsidies and public services, including in-state college tuition and enrollment in public schools, for illegal aliens.
Yes
No
5.) Texas urges the United States Congress not to grant any form of amnesty or a pathway to legalization for illegal aliens.
Yes
No
6.) The Texas Legislature should prohibit the deployment of the Texas National Guard to a foreign conflict unless Congress first formally declares war.
Yes
No
7.) The Texas Legislature should establish authority within the Texas State Comptroller’s office to administer access to gold and silver through the Texas Bullion Depository for use as legal tender.
Yes
No
8.) The State of Texas should ensure that Texans are free to give or to withhold consent for any vaccine without coercion.
Yes
No
9.) The Republican Party of Texas should restrict voting in the Republican Primary to only registered Republicans.
Yes
No
10.) The Texas Constitution should be amended to restore authority to the Texas Attorney General to prosecute election crimes.
Yes
No
11.) Texas parents and guardians should have the right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding should follow the student.
Yes
No
12.) The Texas Constitution should be amended to require proof of citizenship before any individual can be registered to vote.
Yes
No
13.) Texas should ban the sale of Texas land to citizens, governments, and entities from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
Yes
No
Big Changes Going on at CANHelp in Sulphur Springs
February 20, 2024 – If you are like me, you stop by CANHelp in Sulphur Springs at least once a week. It’s part of my routine. I find treasures, and I help people in Hopkins County at the same time. Win-Win.
You have probably noticed some big changes to the CANHelp building this month.
A new building has been added to improve the donation process. It provides the benefit of a drive though, and protects donations from the elements. It will also give CANHelp a better chance to prevent dumping of un-sellable items, and prevent theft of donations.
CANHelp has also added large signs around the donation area, giving details on what items are not accepted.
Dumping of soiled mattresses and other unsellable furniture has been a problem for CANHelp. Disposal of these items takes resources that should be used to help people in the community. Every change has been thoroughly thought out, and each is intended to help the Hopkins County population by making CANHelp more efficient.
What started out as a resource guide of available services in 2000 within Hopkins County, Hopkins County Community Action Network as we were originally known, has transformed into CANHelp — a non-profit organization, based in faith, whose mission is to provide assistance to individuals in the communities of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. CANHelp offers programs and training to those who want to become financially self-sufficient, various food and health items, and other basic needs to those experiencing crises, as well as information and referral services to those who call 2-1-1 Texas. CANHelp also houses a 10,000 square foot thrift store run by dedicated staff and volunteers. Every service CANHelp provides upholds our core values of people, faith, integrity, excellence, and partnerships. CANHelp and our staff are dedicated to their clients and the community. We strive to change lives in our communities and to help guide people toward self-sufficiency.
CANHelp
