Raise Your Hand Texas’ Sponsoring a House District 2 Runoff Candidate Forum January 18th at the Hopkins County Civic Center
“Raise Your Hand Texas” is sponsoring a House District 2 runoff Candidate forum on January 18, 2024. The forum will take place at the Hopkins County Civic Center, in the auditorium, in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The event will begin at 6:30pm. This will be an education-focused event. Come on out and see where the candidates stand on the issues. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Texas A&M Forest Service Presents $22,000 to Texas A&M University’s Association of Former Students
December 15, 2023 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Forest Service presented a check for $22,389 to the Association of Former Students today. The funds are from timber sustainably managed and sold on the John Henry Kirby Memorial State Forest.
The state forest, originally known as State Forest #4, was gifted to Texas A&M Forest Service in 1929 by lumber baron John Henry Kirby. As part of the property deed, Kirby stipulated that a portion of the forest’s revenue be donated to the Association of Former Students of Texas A&M University, specifically to be used for student loans.
“Texas A&M Forest Service proudly manages the John Henry Kirby Memorial State Forest and is honored to create revenue for the Association of Former Students,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Director.
Nic Taunton, Executive Vice President and COO of The Association, expressed appreciation to Texas A&M Forest Service and noted Mr. Kirby’s generosity and foresight in setting up a gift that still provides meaningful contributions almost a century later.
“As an independent nonprofit alumni association, our work is made possible only by the generosity of our donors,” said Taunton. “Since 1929, Mr. Kirby’s gift and the stewardship of Texas A&M Forest Service have produced more than half a million dollars in revenue to The Association – funds that have enabled us to make a tangible impact on Texas A&M and countless Texas Aggies.”
At the time the agency acquired the forest, it was heavily logged and impacted by wildfires, insect epidemics and feral hogs. The agency immediately began reforestation activities and planting slash pine for the restoration project due to the superior growth characteristics of the species.
Today, the forest is divided into 13 management stands that are maintained individually.
“The forest is used to demonstrate forest management focused on sustainability and restoration of the longleaf pine ecosystem,” said Conor McInnerney, Texas A&M Forest Service District Forester. “We have a working management plan for the forest that helps us to meet sustainability goals.”
The funds presented today are from 1,799 tons of timber sold through a thinning project on stands two and four of the forest – around 120 acres of mature longleaf, slash and loblolly pine.
“As forests grow and mature, timber can become crowded, creating heavy competition for water, soil nutrients and sunlight,” said McInnerney. “Thinning reduces the number of stems per acre along with competition and allows for more vigorous growth.”
As trees become larger, they require more nutrients, sunlight and water so the process of thinning continues throughout the life of the stand of trees. In most forests, thinning begins around age 15 and continues to be conducted in intervals of seven to 10 years.
Both stands thinned were marked by foresters with paint to indicate which trees should be removed. The marked timber was then sold through a bid process and harvested. From there, the timber went to sawmills in the area and was manufactured into dimensional lumber.
Learn more about the John Henry Kirby Memorial State Forest at https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/john-henry-kirby-memorial-state-forest/.
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Wreaths Across America – Saturday, December 16th
December 15, 2023 – Wreaths Across America has their scheduled ceremonies in Hopkins County this Saturday, December 16th. See the listing below for the participating cemeteries and the ceremony times.
- Sulphur Springs Cemetery 11am
- Melhaven Cemetery 11am
- Restlawn Cemetery 11am
- Old and New Saltillo 11am
- Old and New Pickton 11am
- Mahoney Cemetery 11am
- Winerfield Cemetery 11am
- Greenview Cemetery 11am
- Greenpond Cemetery 11am
- Brashear Cemetery 11am
- Gafford Chapel Cemetery 10am
- Shooks Chapel Cemetery 10am
- New Hope Cemetery 11:30am
Press Release for Friday, Dec. 15, 2023
Submitted by Marynell Bryant, WAA volunteer, Hopkins County
Wreaths Across America has designated Saturday, December 16 to honor veterans across the nation with special balsam fir wreaths. Sixteen cemeteries in Hopkins County will host ceremonies to mark this occasion and then volunteers will place the wreaths on veterans’ graves.
The local cemeteries participating include Sulphur Springs City Cemetery, Melhaven, Restlawn, Old and New Saltillo, Old and New Pickton, Mahoney, Winterfield, Greenview, Greenpond, Brashear, Gafford Chapel, Shooks Chapel, New Hope and Union. Most ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. with the exception of Gafford Chapel and Shooks Chapel at 10 a.m. and New Hope at 11:30.
Nationwide 2.7 million wreaths were placed at 3,702 participating locations last year. The mission of Wreaths Across America is Remember, Honor, Teach – remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom.
Report of Reckless Driver Earns Driver Multiple Charges for Drug Possession
December 14, 2023 – Sulphur Springs Police responded to a report of a possible reckless driver on Interstate 30 Wednesday morning just after 8 am. An officer spotted the red Hyundai as it exited at the mile marker 122 exit headed eastbound. The vehicle then pulled into the parking lot of the 7Star Travel Center. An officer making contact with the driver could smell a strong oder of marijuana coming from the vehicle during the morning traffic stop. The driver exited the vehicle and appeared to be impaired on some sort of substance, according to the officer. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputy showed up on the scene to assist and stayed with the suspect while SSPD officer searched the vehicle.
During the search a small box was found containing a variety of suspected illegal drugs as well as a firearm. Officers found approximately 9 grams of suspected mushrooms, .55 ounces of suspected marijuana, 17 grams of suspected Xanax as well as three paper tabs in a small clear plastic container which later tested positive as LSD. A THC vape was also found in the vehicle.
The driver, Braydon Dean Law, age 23, of Commerce was placed under arrest and transported to the Hopkins County Jail. A total of six charges were levied against Law:
Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2/2a 4g-400g, Second Degree Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance Pentalty Group 2 <1g, State Jail Felony
Possession of Marijuana <2 oz Class B Misdemeanor
Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 3 <28g, Class B Misdemeanor
Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group <20AU, State Jail Felony
Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon, Class A Misdemeanor
Braydon Dean Law remains in the Hopkins County Jail awaiting bond to be set on the charges.
High Speed Chase Ends in Police Department Parking Lot
December 14, 2023 – What should have been a routine traffic stop escalated into a high speed pursuit as a Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a green Kia for failing to stop at a stop sign in Como. The attempted traffic stop occurred at the intersection of West Gate Street and Haygood Street but the vehicle proceeded towards Highway 11 East failing to come to a stop. The vehicle then turned onto Highway 69 South with law enforcement in pursuit with sirens activated. Deputies pursued the fleeing vehicle in Wood County reaching speeds of over 100 mph. The Kia Soul then made it’s way onto FM 515, circling onto some county road and then back onto FM 515 in the opposite direction and now headed towards Winnsboro. The 2013 Kia turned on Main Street in Winnsboro finally coming to a stop in the Winnsboro Police Department parking lot. A felony take down was initiated with several officers that had joined in the pursuit. The driver was identified as Eual Eldon Hayes III, age 37, of Winnsboro who was placed under arrest for the charge of Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, drug paraphenalia was found in the vehicle with the Possession of Drug Paraphenalia charge being added to Hayes arrest report as well as the same misdemeanor charge added to the arrest of a passenger in the car. Both subjects were transported to the Hopkins County Jail without incident where they remain awaiting bond to be set on the charges.
Anonymous Donor Makes Challenge to Help Meal-A-Day Program
December 14, 2023 – Someone who wishes to remain anonymous has gotten into the Christmas spirit in a big way and they are using their checkbook. Meal-A-Day director Amanda Dietlin was contacted earlier in the month of December from a donor issuing a challenge to spur donations to the program. Dietlin reports, “This benefactor wishes to donate up to $5,000 in matching donations made by anyone in the month of December.” Dietlin continued by saying, “Other folks have already stepped up like the Corvette Club donation of $1,000 and we have had another big donation of $750 plus several other donations bringing our total to over $2,500 which will be matched dollar for dollar by this Secret Santa.” Director Dietlin is in hopes more donations will come through to take advantage of this Holiday generosity.
Meal-A-Day director, Amanda Dietlin shared the challenges that she and her staff face on a daily basis as they have seen some of their item’s costs double if not triple over the past 12 months. Dietlin explained how important all the support that her program receives keeps this worthwhile service in operation, as the five-day-a-week contact with these seniors is vital to the well-being of the senior community.
The Meal-A-Day program is constantly in need of volunteers to cook or deliver meals to the more than 130 recipients each day, Monday through Friday. The operation takes a constant effort of around 60 volunteers each week with cooks, cooking helpers, and drivers of the various routes. And although Meal-A-Day works from the Senior Center, it receives no direct financial support from the City Of Sulphur Springs. If you can spare a couple of hours just one day a week, call Amanda to see how you can help out. The Meal-A-Day volunteer hotline is 903-885-1661.
A Year in Review 2023 by Mario Villarino
2023 Livestock and Forage Education Hopkins County
Dr. Mario Villarino| County Extension Agent- Agriculture and Natural Resources
RELEVANCE
Livestock and forage production are a 3.96 billion dollars industry in the Central
Region . Livestock and forage enterprises are affected by climate and market
variability. Hopkins County currently has more than 100,000 head of cattle with
27,000 head of dairy cattle. Due to environmental requirements of federal and
state authorities, Hopkins County dairy operators must maintain environmental
requirements for operation.
RESPONSE
This plan collaborated with dairy (Dairy Farmers of America , Southwest Dairy
Museum) and beef organizations (NETBIO ) to determine and conduct educational
efforts needed for the successful operation of livestock farms and ranches . This
plan had the goal of providing educational experiences to 350 beef producers ,
150 private applicators , 60 dairy producers and 60 landowner seeking private
applicator accreditation.
The plan included the following activities:
• Hopkins-Rains Hay Show (with Soil Conservation Board) (15 Participants).
• Prairie Day (150 participants)(Presenter)(Yantis Texas).
• 4 New Pesticide Applicators Trainings (quarterly)( 36 participants).
• Cattle Trail in Beef Day (111 Participants).
• Dairy Outreach Fall Conference (13 Participants)
(Representing 25,000 head of dairy cattle).
• Pesticide Private Applicator CEU (82 Participants).
• 34 Press releases (digital and printed media).
• Result Demonstration in pre-conditioning of beef cattle.
• 1,455 Telephone consultations.
• 423 Site visits.
Evaluation Strategy
Retrospective post evaluation surveys were utilized to measure knowledge gain
and adoptions of best practices for the evaluated programs.
• 100% (111/111) participants completed the evaluation for the Cattle Trail.
• 85% (70/82) participants completed the evaluation for the Pesticide applicators CEU.
• 38% (5/13) participants completed the evaluation survey for DOPA training.
RESULTS
Cattle Trail
• 100% (111/111) have a better understanding of the steps
beef goes before consumers.
• 100% (111/111) have a better understanding of the
Different parts of beef.
• 100% (111/111) have a better understanding of
the importance of ranching in Texas.
• 100% (111/111) have a better understanding of products
made of beef.
• 99% (110/111) have a better understanding of the economic impact
of beef in their county.
Dairy Outreach Fall Conference
• 100% (5/5) attendees indicated this activity to be valuable to
network with experts and other participants.
• 100% (5/5) attendees indicated to be completely satisfied with the
activities presented in this conference.
• 60% (3/5) attendees indicated economic benefit from this activity.
Pesticide Private Applicator CEU
• 93% (65/70) plan to take actions or make changes as a
results of the knowledge gained during the conference.
• 93% (65/70) anticipate benefitting economically as a direct result
of what their learned from this activity.
For More Information:
Dr. Mario Villarino
CEA Ag/NR- Hopkins County
903-885-3443
Charitable Gift Made to the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center
December 13th, 2023 – WINNSBORO, TX – The Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center (NETCAC) today received the largest historical charitable gift made as a beneficiary of the Help-A-Child Benefit held annually in Hopkins County in October.
This year’s gift totaled $48,250, an increase of more than $11,000 over the charitable donation made in 2022, and the largest in the organization’s history.
“We are deeply humbled by the generosity of the people of Hopkins County,” NETCAC Executive Director Lauren Zastany said. “We cried tears of joy today because this gift far exceeded our expectations.”
NETCAC was one of the first beneficiaries of the event when the Help-A-Child Benefit began 16 years ago, with a donation of $12,000 in the first year.
The event has grown to include a multitude of activities like a chili and brisket cook-off, an Ag Mechanics class build-off, a raffle of a Kubota side-by-side and trailer, and more, raising more than $130,000 total for local foster families, the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, and the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center.
“As the needs of our families and children have grown, so has the generosity of our community,” Zastany said. “We can provide trauma-informed services free of charge to more than 500 children who come through our doors each year because of this support. We are so incredibly grateful.”
Hopkins County Commissioner Wade Bartley and his wife Jan, Mr. Jim Wright of Hopkins County, Franklin County Constable Brantin Carr, members of the Masonic lodges in Hopkins and Franklin counties, and others were in attendance to present the donation in Winnsboro on Wednesday.
“Our mission is to bring hope and healing while working together to break the cycle of child abuse, and today, the people who run Help-A-Child did just that – they brought hope to hundreds of children this year,” Pamela Buttrick, President of the NETCAC Board of Directors said.
NETCAC serves an eight-county area of Northeast Texas, including Hopkins, Franklin, and Delta counties, and provides a safe, child-friendly environment for child victims of child sexual and/or physical abuse, or who have witnessed a violent crime or drug use in their home.
NETCAC works with law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, and medical and mental health professionals to develop effective, coordinated strategies to meet the needs of each unique case and child. For more information, visit http://www.netcac.org.
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Hopkins County Records – November/December 2023
Land Deed Transactions 11/6/23 Thru 11/6/23
- Andrea Adeyanju Also Known As Andrea Faye Adeyanju to Lee Cody and Lee Kelli; Tract in the J Ybarbo Survey
- Aaron Denine Malone to Raymond Paul Malone; Tract in the W B Merrell Survey
- Purvis T Welch and Theda J Welch to PTW Ranch LLC; Tract in the Alex O Wetmore Survey
- Bascum Lee Chapman Jr and Joseph Chapman to Bascum Lee Chapman III and Jaqlynn Rose Chapman; Tract in the Francis Hopkins Survey
- Joseph D Chapman and Yuko Merwin to Jaqlynn Rose Chapman; Tract in the A J Butts Survey
Land Deed Transactions 11/7/23 Thru 11/9/23
- Carrie Paige to Thomas Kemper; Tract in the Samuel Hough Survey
- Randy J Wilkey and Sissala A Wilkey to Miranda Fka Jones and Patrick R Jones and Miranda Wilkey; Tract in the Berry West Survey
Report of Marriage Documents for Hopkins County 12/1/23 Thru 12/12/23
- Caleb John Raine and Elizabeth Margaret Carter
- Tyler William Spillane and Rachel Ann Johnson
- Justin Keith Morris and Lisa Marie Holman
- Larry Ray Watson and Christina Miche Wilkinson
- Kenneth James Borrell and Sanchez Ma Elisa Garcia
Cedar Fever Season Begins in Texas
December 12, 2023 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas – It’s time for Texans to brace for cedar fever season once again, complete with runny noses, itchy eyes and general misery. Cedar fever is an allergic reaction to the pollen released by mountain cedar trees, and unfortunately, you don’t have to be allergic to the pollen for it to affect you.
In Texas, the predominant species of mountain cedar is Ashe juniper, making cedar fever especially irritating in the Hill Country west of I-35 where there are primarily juniper trees mixed in with oaks and a few other species.
“With the quantity and density of Ashe junipers in Central Texas, all producing pollen at the same time, the concentration of pollen in the air causes cedar fever,” said Jonathan Motsinger, Texas A&M Forest Service Central Texas Operations Department Head.
According to Motsinger, the pollen from Ashe junipers isn’t particularly allergenic or harmful – it’s just so concentrated that, even if you aren’t generally susceptible to allergies, it could still affect you. With millions of juniper trees releasing pollen at the same time, you can’t help but breathe it in, and when you do, your body reacts as it would to any perceived threat – it tries to fight it.
Since the pollen is spread by wind, cedar fever can affect individuals far removed from areas with a high concentration of juniper trees. And the source isn’t limited to Ashe junipers. In more eastern parts of the state there are also eastern redcedars that pollinate around the same time and can induce a similar response from people’s auto-immune systems.
Besides the massive quantity of pollen released, cedar fever is also problematic because of when the pollen is released. Most trees pollinate in the spring when many are expecting to have allergies. Ragweed pollen and mold spores can contribute to allergies in the fall, but very few plants pollinate during the winter. Juniper trees are the exception.
These trees typically begin producing pollen in mid-December, often triggered by colder weather or the passage of a cold front. Pollen production reaches its peak in mid-January, before slowly tapering off toward the beginning of March.
“During cold fronts, it gets very dry and windy and the pressure changes very rapidly,” said Motsinger. “This triggers the opening of pollen cones and the release of the pollen grains. When the conditions are right, you can actually see the pollen blowing off of some trees.”
While this creates some fascinating imagery, it can also lead to some serious misery. For people new to the Central Texas region, or unfamiliar with cedar fever as a whole, it can also lead to confusion since the pollination period of mountain cedar trees is smack dab in the middle of cold and flu season. It’s not uncommon for people experiencing cedar fever to mistake their symptoms for a cold or the seasonal flu, especially given the variety of symptoms triggered by cedar fever. These include fatigue, sore throat, runny nose, partial loss of smell and – believe it or not – some people actually do run a slight fever. However, if your fever is higher than 101.5°F, then pollen likely isn’t the cause.
You can treat cedar fever by taking allergy medications and antihistamines, but you should consult with your physician or health care professional before taking new medications. You can also try and anticipate the pollen by tuning in to your local news station, many of which will give you the pollen count and can predict when it’s going to be a particularly pollen-heavy day. On those days, it’s smart to keep windows and doors closed, and to limit the amount of time you spend outdoors. It can also be helpful to change air filters in your car and in your home as a clean, new filter is better at removing particles, like pollen, from the air.
Removing juniper trees from your property isn’t recommended primarily because the pollen is airborne and—since they often wait to release their pollen until it’s cold, dry and windy—that pollen can blow for miles. It’s also important to note that only male juniper trees release pollen.
“The male trees have larger pollen cones, while the female trees have much smaller reproductive cones, which are very inconspicuous, but that’s what is pollinated from the male trees,” said Motsinger.
While junipers are notorious for releasing their fever-inducing allergens, they also have immense health benefits. Their berries, for instance, are used to make medicines and oils that can treat a variety of ailments, from an upset stomach to a snake bite. They are also high in vitamins, providing a nutritious source of food for birds and other wildlife. Additionally, junipers play a vital role in soil enrichment and erosion prevention as they often grow in a terrain that isn’t particularly hospitable to other species of trees. Most importantly, though, they provide the same mental, physical and environmental health benefits of trees and forests everywhere.
Ultimately, mountain cedars are really only singled out for the unusual time of year in which they pollinate.
“Many trees rely on airborne pollination,” said Motsinger. “In other parts of the country, folks suffer from pine or elm allergies. Here in the springtime, there is so much oak pollen collecting on surfaces that I have to wash my car’s windshield daily just to see out of it.”
While cedar fever might sound and seem particularly hostile, Ashe junipers are really just a species like any other, feeling out the conditions and waiting for the perfect moment to release their pollen in order to set their offspring up for success come springtime.
For more information about how to identify Ashe junipers and/or eastern redcedars in your own backyard, check out the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Texas Tree ID webpage or the My Tree ID mobile app. You can also see the distribution of junipers, as well as a variety of other tree species across the state, via our Forest Distribution App.
