Murder-Suicide in Tira Community
Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies, the SWAT team, and other law enforcement responded to a call in the Tira, TX Community where a murder, suicide took place Thursday evening.
William Benefield, 70, contacted an individual regarding Benefield’s wife. The individual went to the home where they found Teresa Benefield, 61, dead. The individual called the Sheriff’s office.
Law enforcement set up a perimeter around the home and began seeking to have Benefield exit the house. Later in the evening, they heard a single gun shot. Entering the residence, they found Benefield had taken his own life.
New Pesticide Private Applicator Training By Mario Villarino
New Pesticide Private Applicator Training schedule for August 16, 2017 in Sulphur Springs.
A private pesticide applicator is someone who uses or supervises the use of restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides or regulated herbicides to produce an agricultural commodity on:
- Personally owned property;
- Rented property;
- Property owned by his or her employer;
- Property under his or her general control; or
- The property of another person if applied without compensation, other than the trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities.
An agricultural commodity is a plant or animal grown for sale, lease, barter, feed or human consumption and animals raised for farm or ranch work. No license is required to apply general-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities.
STEPS TO BECOMING A PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATOR
Step 1: Attend a Private Pesticide Applicator training session FIRST. Contact your county Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office for training opportunities at 903-885-3443. A new private applicator training will be conducted August 16, 2017 at 10:00 AM.. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offers the Texas Private Applicator Training Course online also.. You willfind more information at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/index.cfm/productDetails/ProductID/2099/. You may purchase training materials at the Hopkins County Extension office located at 1200B Houston Street in Sulphur Springs or at www-aes.tamu.edu or call (903) 885-3443.
Step 2: Upon completion of the training, a Training Verification form will be provided to the applicant. Applicants should keep the yellow copy for their records
Step 3: The applicant needs to obtain a hard copy of the Private Pesticide Applicator license application form (PA- 400P) from TDA. (Website: www.TexasAgriculture.gov orPhone: 1-800-835-5832 or 512-463-7622).
Step 4: Submit the completed Private Pesticide Applicator application form, license fee of $100, and the white (original) copy of the Training Verification form to TDA forprocessing.
Step 5: When the license application is accepted, TDA will send the applicant a letter in the mail with their Account Number. This Account Number is the number the applicator willuse to register and schedule the Private applicator exam with PSI
Step 6: Applicants can go to PSIexams.com or call 1-800-733-9267 to schedule an exam at one of 22 locations around the state.
o A Pesticide Licensing Examination Candidate Information Bulletin is provided at the PSI website to assist the applicant with the exam scheduling process.
o The private applicator will pay $64 per exam.
o If the applicant fails the first attempt, there is a 24 hour waiting period to take a repeat exam.
o PSI will provide a confirmation number and testing location information.
Ø Step 7: Upon completion of the exam, the center will provide test results immediately. A passing grade is 70%.
Ø Step 8: PSI will send exam scores to TDA daily. If all licensing criteria are met, TDA will issue the license.
Important: If an applicant has any questions about licensing or categories, please contact TDA at 1-800-835-5832 or 512-463-7622.
To register for the Upcoming Pestice Private Applicator Training call 903-885-3443.
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
Avoiding a Needless Tragedy By Johanna Hicks
Avoiding a Needless Tragedy
Now that we are into summer in Texas, children are spending more time outdoors, which increases the danger of children being left alone in, and around, cars. When we think of children being left alone in cars, our first thought is the danger of children dying in hot cars due to heatstroke. But in addition to heat risks, there are other safety concerns with unsupervised children around cars — including back-overs, the risk of children releasing the gear shift or engaging electric windows, and even becoming trapped inside vehicles or trunks. According to the Safe Kids Worldwide, approximately 39 percent of back-over deaths occurred at home. Drivers in back-over and front-over deaths are often family members or family friends of the child.
Children are more at risk for heatstroke because a child’s body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s. A heatstroke can occur at body temperatures above 104 degrees. Even mild outside temperatures can pose a threat, but with Texas summer temperatures climbing into the upper 90s each day, the danger becomes even greater. The problem is that temperatures in parked vehicles rise very quickly. According to figures from San Francisco State University’s Department of Geosciences, in just 10 minutes, the temperature inside of a vehicle can increase by almost 20 degrees.
To reduce deaths from heatstroke, Safe Kids USA has launched a campaign titled ACT, which stands for: Avoid heatstroke-related injury, Create reminders, and Take action. It is important that parents and caregivers are on alert to avoid a heatstroke death, and that they share the safety steps with spouses, grandparents, babysitters, and other caregivers. Any change in schedule for drop-off or pickup of a child can lead to a deadly mistake. In more than half of the cases of heatstroke, the death was due to the child being “forgotten” by the caregiver. Such deaths are preventable when parents take precautions to make sure that children are not left alone in vehicles and cannot gain access to unlocked vehicles.
So far this year, 18 child vehicular heatstroke deaths have occurred in the U. S., including seven in Texas. Follow these safety tips in this article to be sure that children cannot be harmed in a vehicle:
Children Left in Hot Vehicles
- Never leave infants or children in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
- Make a habit of looking in the vehicle — front and back — before locking the door and walking away.
- Carefully check all seats in the van or bus to make sure there are no children sleeping on the seats or hiding under seats.
- Do not let children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them that a vehicle is not a play area.
- Check with the family when a child does not show up for day care to be sure a parent has not forgotten a child in their vehicle.
- Always lock vehicle doors and trunks — and keep keys out of children’s reach.
- If a child is missing, check the vehicle first, including the trunk or storage area.
- If a child is in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible. Cool the child rapidly, then call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Children around Parked Vehicles
- Walk all the way around your parked vehicle to check for children, pets, or toys before getting in the car and starting the engine.
- Make sure young children are always accompanied by an adult when getting in and out of a car.
- Identify and use safe play areas for children away from parked or moving vehicles.
- Designate a safe spot for children to go when nearby vehicles are about to move.
- Firmly hold the hand of each child when walking near moving vehicles and when in driveways, parking lots, or sidewalks.
- Teach children not to play in and around vehicles.
Children Left in Running Vehicles
- Lock vehicles at all times, even in the garage or driveway.
- Never leave keys in the car.
- Store keys out of children’s reach.
- Engage your emergency brake every time you park.
- Check to see if your vehicle has a Brake Transmission Safety Interlock (BTSI), which is a safety technology to prevent children from accidentally putting a vehicle into gear. Check your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle is equipped with BTSI. After Sept. 1, 2010, all vehicles with an automatic transmission with a PARK position must have BTSI.
- Use drive-thru services when available.
- Use your debit or credit card to pay for gas at the pump.
- Lock the power windows so that children cannot play with and cannot get caught in them. Power windows can strangle a child or cut off a finger.
Following these safety tips can make all the difference in avoiding a needless tragedy.
Cooking Well with Diabetes
One of my passions is diabetes education. The 2017 “Cooking Well with Diabetes” series is scheduled to take place in September and if you or a loved one would like to know more about preparing healthy meals and revising recipes, this series is for you! The series includes four sessions, covering “Carbohydrate Foods”, “Making Recipes with Fat Better for You”, “Double-Pleasure Side Dishes, Reducing Sodium and Increasing Fiber”, and “Celebrating Sensibly with Diabetes.” Dates are Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 12, 14, 19, and 21, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston, Sulphur Springs. Two times are being offered to accommodate participant schedules – 1:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., so pick the time that works best for you. You can even mix-and-match!
Cost of the series is $25 which covers materials, recipe demonstrations, sampling, door prizes, and bottled water. Please call to reserve a seat and let us know which time you wish to attend.
Closing Thought
We want people to feel with us more than to act for us – George Elliot
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]
Aviation History: SAM Aircraft 1973 – 1993
E-Systems Greenville, TX, began the first year of twenty years performing depot maintenance and modifications on Special Air Mission (SAM) aircraft in Sept 1973 and delivered the last airplane in May 1994. Due to the mission of these aircraft most were input with a 25 day schedule to include arrival, disassembly, inspection, repair, reassembly, systems operational and rigging check, flight line engine run and systems check, functional check flight, and delivery. Additional days were added to the 25 day schedule for strip and paint or major discrepancies discovered during inspection. Home base arrival inspections were performed with E-Systems representatives present and a detailed review of any discrepancies found and corrective action for future aircraft. Zero defects at home base inspection was required. Over the 20 year period 96% of the airplanes were delivered with zero defects.
SSHS Band Percussion Begins Preparation for New Season
Wildcats Marching Band Director Charles McCauley says percussion is like a spine for the band. He says they keep the rest of the band going. McCauley says they also need additional time to get their timing down. As a result, the Wildcats Marching Band percussion members began a two week camp this past Monday. They have been working 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.
McCauley says the percussion camp is especially important for incoming freshman band members. He says they have to learn to march and play. They also have to deal with carrying their drums. Next week, the color guard will join them. The entire band will convene to begin their summer session on July 31. McCauley says the band is expected to have 120 to 125 members this year. That’s down a little from last year mostly due to the loss to graduation of a very large senior class.
McCauley is starting his 20th year at Sulphur Springs. With a new Prim Stadium to march in, McCauley says he is more excited than ever to get the school year going.
The Edge Begin Again Following Break
For the first time this year, The Edge conditioning program featured a two-week break in it. After four weeks from June 12 through July 6, participants were given a two week hiatus. The Edge Phase 2 gears up Monday. Wildcats Athletic Director Greg Owens is counting on participants coming back and completing the final two weeks of the program. It will run Monday through Thursday July 24 through August 3 from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.
The remainder of The Edge for this year is designed for high school athletes entering grades 9 through 12. The Edge for middle school athletes finished up back on July 6.
Construction on Concession Stand, Press Box at Lady Cat Park Begins
Just a few tasks are left on the to do list for phase 2 improvements at the Lady Cat Park softball field. A construction crew began pouring a concrete slab Thursday morning. SSISD Maintenance workers will then construct a concession stand and press box on the slab. Stands that came from Eagle Stadium will also be installed at Lady Cat Park.
Wesley United Methodist Church Announces Evening VBS July 24-28
Marike DeWitte, Wesley UMC Children’s Activity Director, visited the KSST Good Morning Show to announce Bible School dates and new evening hours. For youngsters through fifth grade, Vacation Bible School will be held Monday through Friday July 24 through 28. A kid-friendly supper will be served in Wesley Hall at 5:30 each evening, with classes from 6:15 til 8:30 pm. Marike and church members will oversee the activities with Pastor Steve Cook assisting with the games. On Friday night, the families of students are also invited for a special wrap-up with a worship hour together with the Wesley family.
The change from traditional morning Bible School to evening hours was made due to the fact that most parents are working during day hours and unable to get their children to Bible School. With evening hours, more children can participate and hopefully, parents can too! For youngsters who need a ride, the church bus can add you to their route. Just call the Wesley office at 903-885-3383.
A little later this summer, Wesley UMC will host a Back to School Bash with water games, food and family fun on August 19. During the school year, Wesley volunteers lead in the Backpack Buddy program, providing two days worth of healthy snacks for the weekends to be dispensed by public schools to students in need. Wesley UMC worship services on Sunday mornings are from 9:30 until 10:30 am, followed by Sunday School from 10:45 until 11:45 am. Wednesday evenings are for children and youth activities starting with a church meal at 5:30 pm followed by classes through 8:30 pm. Adult Bible Study classes are also provided.
Marieke and her husband Hendrick DeWitte came to Sulphur Springs from the Netherlands in 1989. They had been dairy farmers back in Holland, but wanted to farm on the larger scale that coming to Texas would allow. After 21 years, the DeWitte’s sold their dairy in 2010. Hendrick remains in an agriculture-related business, and Marieke became a teacher, first for Little Acorn Pre-School, then five years ago joining SSISD as a Special Ed Aide. The couple has three grown daughters and a wide circle of Wesley church family and friends.
Wesley United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs, 614 Texas Street.
