Community Calendar March, 2017
The Pilot Club “Spring Brunch” is Saturday March 4 at 10am at League Street Church of Christ Fellowship Hall. The annual “fun-raiser” will bring Christian comedian/musician Robert Burkhart with a Branson-style one-man show. There will be plenty of food and fellowship. Tickets are $20 each at the door or by calling Pilot Club at 903-348-5099 or any member. The Sulphur Springs chapter is part of Pilot Club International.
A Beans and Cornbread Fundraiser for scholarships is planned by Sulphur Bluff Masonic Lodge #246 on Saturday March 4 at 6pm at the Sulphur Bluff Community Center. Also, the Lodge will present the Community Builder Award to Billy Emerson during the event. Once each year, Masonic Lodges can honor non-Masons who distinguish themselves through service to the community.
Sulphur Springs ISD plans Open House during the evenings of March 6-9 at all campuses on this schedule…ECLC, Douglas and SS High on Monday March 6…SS Middle and SS Elementary on Tuesday March 7… and Bowie, Lamar and Travis campuses on Thursday March 9.
Sulphur Springs and most Hopkins County schools will observe Spring Break Week March 13-17, 2017.
Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday March 12. Don’t forget to “spring forward” by an hour.
Cooper Lake State Park is offering recreational and education activities during Spring Break Week which include Dutch Oven Cooking, Treasure Hunting, Guided Canoeing, Fishing, Campfires and S’More, Nighthike, Photography 101 and many others. Find out about the schedule at 903-945-5256 or go to tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks.cooper-lake. Texas State Parks are yours to enjoy all year round.
The Reilly Springs Jamboree will feature local talent on Saturday March 18, 2017 at 7pm. “Two Hearts”, a teen sister duo from Winnsboro will perform with Roger Reed the Sunshine Band. The country music variety show is held on the third-Saturday night of each month in the historic “schoolhouse” Reilly Springs Community Center.
During tax season, free tax return preparation is being offered each Tuesday and Saturday from 9-1 at Wesley UMC Family Life Center. Trained AARP Tax-Aide Volunteers will prepare individual and simple small-business returns free of charge. For details, phone 903-885-3443.
Ladies age 60 and older who wish to compete in the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Pageant are being sought. If you are interested, contact Karon Weatherman at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center at 903-885-1661. There is no cost to enter. Ladies will compete in talent, philosophy of life and dressy wear categories. Winners advance to the Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant in the Metroplex this Fall. According to Pageant chairman Karon Weatherman, this is a fun and rewarding event for senior ladies.
PJC Board of Regents Simplify Tuition and Fee Structure
Providing a simplified tuition and fees structure for students, while balancing costs and maintaining affordability, was the goal of the Paris Junior College Board of Regents as they adopted a new structure for 2017-2018 tuition and fees.
In-district tuition remains at $55 per semester credit hour (SCH), while out-of-district tuition will be $105 per SCH ($55 tuition plus an out-of-district fee of $50), and non-resident tuition of $155 per SCH. All students will pay a $25 per SCH general fee while the registration fee has been removed. The new tuition and fee rates will go into effect with the Fall 2017 semester.
“This keeps PJC in line with the state average and our regional peer group,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin.
In other business, the Regents:
- Received a financial report from Comptroller Keitha Carlton on the fifth month of the fiscal year showing that while revenue is reduced, it remains ahead of expenditures.
- Approved the private sale of 21 properties that were not sold through the public sale on the courthouse steps, per Texas Property Tax Code Section 34.05(i).
- Authorized the Lamar County Appraisal Office to expand taxing authority for the 2017 tax statements.
- Approved the senior citizen tax exemption of $10,000 and a tax freeze for senior citizens 65 years of age and over and disabled citizens.
- Revised the dual credit tuition providing for in-district tuition of $150 per three-hour course and $200 for a four-hour course, and out-of-district tuition respectively of $180 and $240.
- Received an update on the local bill that provides an option to reconfigure the board of regents structure and election date.
- Approved the hiring of Educational Opportunity Center Advisor Tonya Armstrong, Student Recruiter/Academic Advisor Randy Hider, Director of Information Technology Eddie Mahar, and Director of Human Resources Paula White; the resignation of Academic/Financial Aid Advisor Evan Woodall; and the retirement of English Instructor and Division Chair Rhonda Armstrong, effective May 12, 2017.
Lady Cat Softball 1-1 in Wylie Tourney
The Lady Cats’ softball team won one and lost one in a Wylie tournament Thursday. The Lady Cats defeated South Grand Prairie, 7-3 and then lost to Wylie, 7-3.
Against South Grand Prairie, the Lady Cats had a five run top of the third and tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth. Bailey Haggerty pitched 3 innings and struck out 2. Ali Fite pitched 2 innings. The pitchers allowed South Grand Prairie only 2 hits. The Lady Cats pounded out 11 hits. Hannah Crowson, Sadie Stroud and Brinklee Driver all had two hits. Driver also drew a walk and drove in 4 runs. Kristen Allen also drove home a run. Mia Pharis and Jaye Dougthtie also had walks.
In the second game, Wylie scored three runs in the top of the first and never trailed in their 7-3 win. The Lady Cats got to within one at one point trailing Wylie, 4-3 after four innings before Wylie scored the game’s final 3 runs. Ali Fite took the pitching loss allowing 7 runs and 11 hits with 4 strikeouts over seven innings. The Lady Cats committed three errors. The Lady Cats had 8 hits. Alyssa Abron had 2 RBI’s. Kristen Allen worked a walk. With the split, the Lady Cats are now 10-3 for the season. They will play Princeton at 11 a.m. and Frisco Wakeland at 5 p.m. on Friday in the Wylie tournament.
Early Innings Secure Win for Wildcats
The Wildcats’ baseball team jumped out to a 6-1 lead on then held on for dear life to eke pass Gilmer, 6-5 in the Robbie Surratt Memorial Tournament in Lindale Thursday.
Kamren Harrison was masterful on the mound and got the pitching win allowing just a single run on 3 hits in six innings with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. He threw 82 pitches. Dawson Draper pitched the seventh for the Wildcats.
Kaden Argenbright was 2 for 3 with 2 doubles and an RBI. Easton Silman was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI’s. Gaven Millsap and Ryan Humphries also had RBI’s. The Wildcats had 6 hits. The Wildcats had two first inning runs. Mason Buck walked and stole second. Argenbright doubled Buck home. Silman singled home the second run.
After Gilmer cut the lead in half with a second inning run, the Wildcats went ahead 3-1 in the bottom of the third. Silman drove in Michael Arnold who had walked and moved to second on a wild pitch.
The Wildcats went up 5-1 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Jamal Hobson-Cox singled and stole two bases. Millsap drove him in with a single. Humphries grounded to short to drive in Millsap who had advanced to third on a hit batter and fielder’s choice.
The Wildcats made it 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth as Silman singled to drive in Arnold who had been hit by a pitch. The Buckeyes seventh inning rally produced 4 runs but fell one run short. They had 3 walks and a hit batter to set the table. A fielder’s choice grounder drove in one run and a big double plated three more runs. A game ending strikeout left the tying run at second.
The Wildcats took advantage of the Buckeyes wildness on the mound. Gilmer pitching walked 6 and hit five batters.
The Wildcats are now 2-3 for the season. They will play Brownsboro Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the tournament.
Miller Grove News, March 3, 2017
by Brandon Darrow
How many of you have your gardens started? Yes, it’s that time if you haven’t already started breaking up the ground and planting yet. I have onions, potatoes, and a few cabbage plants in the ground right now. I’ve seen a few other gardens in the area and they are looking good. Light rains and warmer temperatures are really making my onions look green and lush.
Friday, Feb. 17, was a day of reunion for some Miller Grove alumni. The MGHS class of 1949 met at Whataburger in Sulphur Springs and enjoyed lunch and having time to visit and reminisce. Those in attendance were Johnny Ferguson and wife Mary Lynn, Johnnie McWilliams, Bill Garrett, Milus Robinson, Mildred (Davis) Abbott, Wanda Blanton and husband, Ava Jean (Taylor) Birmingham, Gail (Mercer) Hatcher, Mary Robinson, L.J. Skillman (Milus Robinson’s daughter), Ruby Ann (Bishop) Ross and husband Norman, Octave & Linell (Barrett) Woods, Lillie Belle (Davis) Renshaw, Sue (Taylor) Loftin, Patsy (Wood) Yates, Trudy (Dickens) Mayers, and Faye (Wren) Tipps. The mini-reunion was planned by L.J. Skillman and Mary Lynn Ferguson and they plan to have another get-together in May.
My little nephew, Owen, had his third birthday party at the Children’s Museum in Commerce last Sunday afternoon. His birthday is Feb. 28 but they celebrated a couple of days early this year.
I didn’t get to go to the Miller Grove International Show this year hosted by MG FFA. I usually try to go and see the kids show their animals as practice for the big NETLA show in Sulphur Springs.
Don’t forget the FFA’s annual Stew & Auction will be held on April 1 this year. That is always a major fundraiser for the MG FFA Chapter.
Happy Birthday to my dad, Brett Darrow on Mar. 5, Eugene Tallant on Mar. 6, Donna (Vititow) Asbill on Mar. 7, Heath McCraw on Mar. 8, Victoria (Edwards) Reeves on Mar. 10, and Terry Tate & Retha (Waskom) Heath on Mar. 11.
Happy 15th Wedding Anniversary to Heath & Sheena (Petty) McCraw on Mar. 9.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
Tira News March 3, 2017
By Jan Vaughn
Yvonne Weir’s uncle died last week and she traveled to Michigan to visit her aunt. She commented, “It’s snowy here.” Please remember Yvonne and her family in prayer.
Wesley Weir bowled on Saturday. Yvonne reported that “Lilly and Jasmine Taylor came and bowled. They all did quite well.”
Doris (Horn, Burkham) Moon passed away on Tuesday. Her funeral will be in Spence Chapel at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs on Saturday afternoon, March 4th. Visitation will begin at 1:00, with the funeral service following at 2:00. Burial will be in the Tira Cemetery. Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please be in prayer for the family.
Kim and Lee Beck had a visit two weeks ago from son, Jason Beck, of Corpus Christi. He is moving this week to Virginia to continue his Naval Intelligence training. Last weekend, son Derek Daily, came with his wife, Michelle, and daughter, Demi, who is about to celebrate her 1st birthday. Kim says, “She had a good visit with Grandpa and Bamaw!”
The Tira City Council will meet at the Tira Community Center on Tuesday, March 7th, at 6:00 p.m. for their regular quarterly meeting. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Morgan Joslin came in from college at Louisiana Tech for a visit, before heading off to the Civil Air Patrol Glider Academy during his break.
Tiffany Vaughn and daughter, Jaidyn, had a “girls day” on Saturday. The visited their good friend, Stephanie Weaver, in McKinney and enjoyed pedicures, shopping, and eating.
Chip Vaughn, along with Clay Hansford, coached the Sulphur Springs Middle School Destination Imagination (DI) technical team and they earned first place in the regional competition on Saturday, February 25th. They will advance to the state level in April.
Chip celebrated his birthday last week. He had dinner with friends at Los Mochis on Wednesday (his actual birthday), and then with family on Sunday. On Thursday evening, Chip and I took his mother, Grace Vaughn, out for dinner at Red Lobster in Greenville.
A Book Fair will be going on in the library during school hours at North Hopkins School next week. It will also be open during the Open House on Thursday, from 6:30 to 7:30.
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].
Hot Tips for Slow Cooker Safety By Johanna Hicks
Hot Tips for Slow Cooker Safety
Slow cookers are a great kitchen appliance for helping those of us with busy days still serve a homemade dinner; but there are a few things you should know to make sure that meal is prepared safely. Read our tips from a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension registered dietitian on slow cooker food safety:
1) The Basics:
Start with a clean cooker, utensils and work area. Wash hands before and during food preparation, especially after handling raw meat and poultry. Spray the inside of the crock with non-stick cooking spray before adding ingredients to keep the food from sticking. This makes cleaning the crock easier. Prepare foods that have high moisture content like as chili, soup, or spaghetti sauce.
2) Safe Temperatures:
Keep perishable foods refrigerated until preparation time. Meat and vegetables should be stored separately in the refrigerator in covered containers. It takes time for slow cookers to reach a temperature hot enough to kill bacteria so keeping these foods refrigerated helps ensure that bacteria, which multiply fast at room temperature, don’t get a head start during the first few hours of cooking. Always thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Never put frozen meat or chicken in a slow cooker.
3) Check your Model:
Depending on the age of your slow cooker, the size of meat or poultry you cook in the slow cooker matters. Until recently, placing a whole roast or chicken in a slow cooker was not recommended. New research conducted by USDA FSIS suggests that for newer models, it is safe to cook large cuts of meat and poultry in a slow cooker. The newer models of slow cookers are larger and more powerful than the older ones, so it is safe to cook larger pieces of meat and poultry. If you have an older model, continue to cut your meat or poultry into smaller pieces before cooking.
4) Fill it properly:
Filling the slow cooker properly and making sure there is enough liquid are important keys in creating a tasty slow cooker meal! Fill the cooker between 1/2 and 2/3 full. Vegetables such as potatoes and carrots cook slower than meat and poultry so place them at the bottom of the cooker. Be sure the liquid almost covers the ingredients so there is proper heat transfer throughout the crock. The liquid is needed to generate the steam that cooks the food.
5) No peeking!:
We know it can be tempting to get a sneak peek at the yummy dish you are serving for dinner, but don’t!
Keep the lid on the slow cooker during the cooking process. Remove only to stir the food or check for doneness. Each time the lid is raised, the internal temperature drops 10 – 15 degrees and the cooking process is slowed by 20 to 30 minutes.
6) Power Outage:
If you are not home during the entire slow-cooking process and the power goes out, throw out the food – even if it looks done! If you are home when the power goes off, finish cooking the ingredients immediately by some other means: on a gas stove, on an outdoor grill, or even at another house where there is power. If this is not possible, throw out the food. If you are home when the power goes off and if the food was already completely cooked, the food should remain safe for up to two hours in the cooker with the power off.
7) Final Tips:
Use a food thermometer to make sure foods have been cooked to a safe internal temperature. Recommended temperatures are: poultry (165 degrees), ground beef (160 degrees), beef steaks and roasts (145 degrees) and pork (160 degrees). Store foods cooked in the slow cooker in shallow, covered containers and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. Reheat foods to 165 degrees using an oven, microwave, or stove top. Soups, stews and gravies should be brought to a rolling boil before eating.
If the slow cooker in your house hasn’t been used in a while or even if you use it on a regular basis, it is a good idea to test it for accuracy. Follow these simple steps to make sure your slow cooker is working properly and your food is safe!
1) Fill the slow cooker 1/2 to 2/3 full with water. The amount of water you need depends on the size of the slow cooker.
2) Turn the slow cooker on to LOW and let heat for 8 hours. Do not lift the lid during this time!
3) Check the water temperature with an accurate food thermometer. Do this quickly since the temperature in the slow cooker drops 10 to 15 degrees once the lid is removed. The temperature of the water should be between 185 and 200 degrees.
4) If the water temperature is less than 185 degrees, the slow cooker is not safe to use and should be thrown out. If the temperature is over 200 degrees, then that is an indication that food cooked for 8 hours in the slow cooker without any stirring would likely be overdone; therefore, your slow cooker should be safe to use. Simply adjust your cooking time, if necessary.
Closing Thought
As you put into practice the qualities of patience, punctuality, sincerity, and solicitude, you will have a better opinion of the world around you – Grenville Kleiser
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]
NETLA Recap By Mario Villarino
It has been just over a week after our NETLA Junior Livestock Show is over and by now the final add on support is getting in and our totals getting computed. Just as we recap some of the experiences gained in putting a show as this together I was asked to explain to new families the reasons to get involved raising and showing projects. I can hardly start describing the experience without recalling my own experience growing up selling bulls in livestock shows and fairs. It was “what my family did” and an integral part of my growing up and the well-being of my family’s ranch economy. Many times, it was also our chore and responsibility and it was not way around it. I remember working with my grad father, dad and uncles sorting stock and haltering bulls. It was back then, a complete summer long process, and we loved it. Raising and showing livestock brings families together. Youth are required to ask for help and experience to complete the goal. There is no telling how many parents and grandparents are helping youth during the process. For many, just like in my case, is a family effort. It does take time and money to complete a project and show it, but the bond between the families during the process gets tight regardless of the outcome. I know many exhibitors did not make it to the sale of champions this year. For those who did, kudos. For those who did not, get ready for another opportunity next year. Many good projects this year did not make it to the sale. This does not necessarily mean those were bad projects, or the exhibitors did something wrong but competition is tough. Life is tough. You do not get compensated getting in last, regardless of the reason why. Just as we are getting ready for another year, it is important for the new families raising livestock projects to be aware of the significant time and money commitment needed to complete a project. All projects have their own challenges and complexities. For those new exhibitors, make sure you get familiar with raising livestock projects for show BEFORE jumping in. There is nothing more frustrating for youth and parents when things do not turn out as expected. It is important that families seek advice from Ag Teachers, our office or other exhibitors. Ask as many questions as possible.
Do it for the right reasons
Before starting a livestock project, every family must determine the goals and objectives to be accomplished during the developing of the project. Livestock projects are an important teaching tool for youth to develop as individuals in our society. IF family interaction and support is important, make sure everybody in the family knows it. Another important component is the Return of Investment (ROI) during the project. ROI metric is to measure, per period, rates of return on money invested in an economic entity in order to decide whether or not to undertake an investment (Wikipedia). To use as an example, steer projects are a major financial and time investment. The initial cost of a club steer (an animal with those characteristics needed to place in a competitive junior livestock show) could reach more than $2,500 each. If you add the cost of feeding (depending on the days in feed) up to $2,000, validation and veterinary bills and other expenses, the overall cost of finishing a steer could reach $5,000 by the time the steer is in the show. IF the steer weights 1,000 Lb by the time of the show and brings $4.50 a pound during the NETLA Sale of Champions you can easily calculate the economic return of investment. If economic return is an important goal and indicator of success during the development of the project, you must be aware of the cost variables that can tip the ROI in a negative value. All livestock projects can be analyzed financially and ROI comparison computed. Seek advice from Ag Teachers, The Hopkins County Extension Office, former exhibitors or NETLA mentors about raising livestock projects for livestock shows and get fully familiar with the process to avoid disappointments after the livestock showing season.
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
Busy Week for Eighth Judicial District Court
During two days of docket calls this week, several plea bargains were reached in Eighth Judicial District Court according to the District Attorney’s office.
Chase Alan Harrison
Chase Alan Harrison was arrested in possession of methamphetamine while on probation for Burglary of a Habitation. He was sentenced to 90 days in county jail as a sanction after which he will be sent to SAFP, a program for drug rehabilitation, for nine (9) months. He will remain on probation when he is released from SAFP and if he violates probation, he could be sentenced to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Harrison was one of three individuals who had previously lived at a residence located at 6151 State Highway 19 South and was aware that the current property owners would be out of town on May 10th. With this knowledge, Harrison and cohorts burglarized the property. The trio broke into the home and several buildings stealing multiple pieces of property including a boat, an electric range, various tools and other items. Investigator Findley told KSST that the boat has since been recovered and returned to the victims. The other items are believed to have been pawned off.
Claston Bearden
Claston Bearden, 44, pled guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and was sentenced to four year in TDCJ. When a Hopkins County Deputy arrested Claston Wayne Bearden on two Justice of the Peace Court warrants, the deputy found several 22-caliber bullets in Bearden’s pants pockets. A quick records search at dispatch showed Bearden had been convicted of a felony. He and the Deputy went to Bearden’s residence where they found a .22-rifle.
Maranda Miller pled guilty to tampering with evidence and agreed to three years in TDCJ. As part of the agreement, a Possession of a Controlled Substance charge was dismissed.
Angie Simons pled guilty to credit card abuse and was sentenced to 10 years of deferred probation and ordered to pay $7,495 in restitution to the victim.
Misty Watson plead to 10 years probation, rehab, restitution and a $2,000 fine on one count of Burglary of a Habitation and one count of Burglary of a Building.
Ben Attaway
In a contested hearing, Ben Attaway, 29, was sentenced to two years state jail time, probated for five years in all three of the charges against him. He will serve 90 days in jail as a condition of probation and then serve nine months in SAFP. The charges were two counts of Forgery of a Financial Instrument and one count of Burglary of a Building
Truman Pope pled to criminal mischief and was sentence to 10 years deferred probation with restitution to be determined later.
Maximo Jalpa pled guilty to DWI 3rd or more and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, probated for 7 years, and a $2000 fine. He will also have an interlock device on his vehicle.
