Winnsboro Woman Arrested for Theft
After she passed all points of sale with $50 in property not paid for, Juanita Bolyer Bell, 55, of Winnsboro was detained by the retailer’s store security. For her, she has been convicted of at least two other thefts of property charges. Local Law Enforcement took her into custody.
Bell is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Theft of Property under $2500 with two or more Previous Convictions. She is being held on a $5,000 bond.
Tira News February 3, 2017
I received word that Steven Vickery passed away on Thursday evening, following a battle with heart problems. Funeral arrangements are pending. A Pancake Breakfast fundraiser to help his family with medical expenses is scheduled for Saturday morning, February 4th, from 8:00 to noon at the Hopkins County Central Fire Station, next to UPS on South Texas Street. Please keep his family in your prayers. Steven’s father, Powell Vickery, is the mayor of our community.
We, also, want to extend prayers and sympathy to the family of Wilma Ruth Vaden Brice. She was buried in the Tira Cemetery on Saturday, January 28th.
Robert, Yvonne, and Wesley Weir met Dacy, Elise, and Eli Campbell at Shenaniganz on Sunday afternoon to play games and laser tag. On Monday night Wesley played basketball at Hoop Dreams, sponsored by the Pilot Club. Yvonne reports, “It was fun for everyone.”
The Cross Spur Cowboy Church (953 County Road 4759, Sulphur Springs) would like to invite everyone to their annual “Sweets for Your Sweetie” auction, on February 12th at 10:30 a.m. All proceeds go to their youth group.
Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin spent the night with us last Friday, while their parents, Landon and Laiken, had friends over to play games and visit around their fire pit.
James and Vickie Longino picked Chip and me up on Saturday evening, January 21st, and we all went to Cooper and enjoyed a delicious meal at Tejano’s Mexican Restaurant on the square. We came back to our house and had a good visit, before the Longinos headed home.
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].
Miller Grove News February 3, 2017
With heavy heart this week I must report the recent house fire in the community. Keith and Vicki (Mabe) Lee who live just down the road from me, on FM 2653, came home to their house engulfed in flames Wednesday evening. Several fire trucks were on the scene but they were not able to save the home. A shell is all that is left – the family lost all of their belongings. Their sons, Chance and Chase, have both graduated high school but their two youngest, Chandler and Chandra, are still students at Miller Grove. Please remember to lift the family up in your prayers.
If you haven’t started your gardens, now is the time. I have planted my onions in the garden and started some cabbage plants inside. Next month will be time for potatoes. I see that Clinton Lennon already has his onion out and he always has a great garden at his sister-in-law’s house, Patsy Yates.
Little Dribblers Basketball is in full swing. I’m sure the county schools are playing their games. I know my niece and nephew both play in Sulphur Springs and have been for a few weeks now.
Remember the Daddy-Daughter Dance that will be held Saturday, Feb. 11 at Miller Grove School. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the school at 903-459-3288.
Congratulations to Central Christian Academy’s student of the month, Rebecca Tipps. Even though she doesn’t go to Miller Grove school, Rebecca does have ties to MG. Her parents are Kevin & Michelle Tipps; grandparents are Stevie & Cheri Tipps; and great-grandmothers are Faye Tipps & Marlene Sturdevant, all of Miller Grove. Way to go Rebecca!
Happy Birthday this week to Stephen Sparks on Feb. 6, Jesse Ballentine & Linda Bailey on Feb. 8, Clay Smith on Feb. 9, Elaine Garmon & Nancy Edwards on Feb. 10, and Ty Holland, Vanessa Tipps, & Brian Evans on Feb. 11.
Congratulations to Bill and Betsy Stiles of Miller Grove! They will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary on Feb. 18. Happy Anniversary to my brother and sister-in-law, Bradley and Madison Darrow, on Feb. 9. This year will mark their 9th wedding anniversary. Happy 2nd Anniversary to Jay & Shelly (Ragan) Gaston on Feb. 7.
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].
Agrilife To-Do List by Mario Villarino
February is traditionally our 4-H livestock show month. As our 4-H members are busy working with their projects, activities in the garden remain slow. Many gardeners suffer from “gardening fever” and start getting excited when temperatures warm up a little. I must remind you that our cold weather season has plenty to go before it is over. It is however, important to start thinking about pre-emergent application of herbicides before those seeds emerge. Pre-emergent herbicides are products intended to kill weed-seeds and must be applied before those seed germinate. Many grass weeds (crab grass etc) and grassburrs (also known as sandburs) are best controlled with pre-emerge herbicides. I have selected the top five activities on the “to-do-List” for February from Aggie Horticulture:
- If you have ash trees in your landscape, keep an eye open for the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), an insect invader from China that has killed many thousands of ash trees in the eastern United States, and is approaching our region. The Texas Forest Service has recently begun a monitoring program in a number of counties that may become affected by the half inch long beetles. If you discover any beetle you think may fit the description, please contact Joe Pase (East Texas) at 936-639-8170,[email protected] or James Houser (Central Texas) at 512-339-4589, [email protected].
- Continue to water and fertilize cool-weather annuals such as Flowering Tobacco, Bells of Ireland and Stocks to encourage the best blooms.
- Now is an excellent time to transplant mature or established trees and shrubs while they are dormant.
- Make flower and vegetable garden plans now before the rush of spring planting. Time spent in armchair gardening before the fireplace will pay off in improved plant selection. Besides, it is fun to page through the garden catalogs.
- Sow seeds in flats or containers to get a jump on plant growth before hot weather arrives. Petunias, begonias, and impatiens should be sown in early January. Warm temperature plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, and periwinkles, should be sown in late January or early February.
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
Hand Hygiene is Key! By Johanna Hicks
Hand Hygiene is Key!
Tis the season for flu, allergies, and upper respiratory problems! Unfortunately, sometimes these are unavoidable. However, there are some precautions you can take to lessen your chances of infection. These are been well documented, but a reminder never hurts!
Proper hand washing is a good health habit that is extremely important in preventing the spread of contagious illnesses, like the flu. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water to remove dirt, debris, and germs. Wash your hands BEFORE and AFTER: preparing meals, eating, feeding children, and giving/taking medication. Wash your hands AFTER: diapering or using the toilet, sneezing or blowing your nose, caring for the ill, handling animals, playground use, handling garbage, after touching public surfaces, and whenever visibly dirty.
Many stores keep wipes close to the front door to use on shopping cart handles. Make a habit of using them! This one little action can wipe away germs left from a child’s or adult’s sneeze, an infant’s drool, or any number of other bugs! Also, some businesses provide hand sanitizer dispensers near the door. Again, this is a great way to help cut down on germs.
If you are a parent of a young child, there are many things you can teach your child about preventing the spread of germs:
1) Cover your cough or sneeze, but NOT with your hand! Turn your head away from others and use the crook of your elbow instead. If a tissue is handy, use that, but be sure to discard it in the trash can. Avoid leaving used tissues on a table, desk or chair.
2) If you have a runny nose, again, use a tissue and not your hand.
3) Droplets from your cough or sneeze become airborne and if someone gets in the path of those droplets, they can get your germs. That’s why it is important to cover up!
4) Wash your hands frequently. If you sneeze or cough on your hand and then touch a door knob, car door, book, tablet, desk, toy, or other object, your germs from that sneeze can easily spread to the object. When other people touch that object, your germs can spread to them!
5) When washing hands, keep these three things in mind: warm water, soap, and 20 seconds. Teach your child to sing the ABC song while washing hands to be sure they are thoroughly clean. Then, dry hands on a clean towel or paper towel – not on pants!
If you or someone in your family is sick, disinfect frequently-used surfaces often. This includes toilet handles, sink handles, door knobs, chair backs (when pulling out a chair to sit down), car handles, steering wheels, light switches, refrigerator handles, etc. Also, change out hand towels often. As we have seen recently in one of our county schools, many children have been absent due to illness. The parents are taking the correct action by keeping their children at home. This can further cut down on spreading illness to other classmates!
“Respiratory etiquette” is the term being used in healthcare circles. All of the above methods for helping prevent the spread of germs will go a long way in keeping healthy.
If you think you have an upper respiratory infection, it may be treated in a number of ways. Several antiviral drugs are available, but your doctor will need to access if this is right for you. Antibiotics are effective against illness due to bacteria. If a doctor prescribes an antibiotic, use it as prescribed. Stopping too soon may negate any good the drug has done. Your doctor, clinic, or pharmacist can advise you on which over-the-counter medications may relieve symptoms. If your child or teenager has flu-like symptoms or a fever, do not give them aspirin without speaking to the child’s doctor first.
People who do not suffer complications from these diseases should use common sense and follow age-old advice by getting plenty of rest, drinking a lot of liquids, and avoiding using alcohol and tobacco. Seek medical help as soon as possible if you have difficulty breathing or have a high fever of 101° F.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Pregnant women are understandably concerned about being exposed to respiratory germs and the effect they may have on the baby. The risk to the baby depends on the gestational (in-the-womb) age of the baby, the type of virus, and the immune condition of the mother. Although babies may be harmed by these germs, the overall risk for the baby when the mother is exposed is very small. Some germs, like the rubella virus, are known to cause birth defects, but the diseases are rare. Other respiratory germs are more common, but either the mother is already immune to the disease or the disease is not likely to affect the baby.
So, there you have it! Using good hygiene goes a long way in preventing the spread of germs!
Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop
I’m thrilled to offer the free Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop on February 11! This is one of my favorite things to lead because the information is so timely, educational, and fun. If you or someone you know plans to get married within one year, attending this workshop will save engaged couples $60 upon applying for a marriage license. Topics covered are: marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management and goals & dreams.
We’ll get started at 8:30 a.m. with refreshments, break for lunch (which is provided!), and finish up around 3:30 p.m. Water, coffee, and snacks will be available throughout the workshop. As of this writing, I have four couples signed up, but I have room for more! Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up. See our article in each issue of Northeast Texas Bridal Magazine.
Closing Thought
Cooperation is the conviction that nobody can get there unless everybody gets there – Virginia Burden
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]
Fundraiser for Vickery Family is Saturday; Vickery’s Battle with Heart Disease Ended Thursday
According to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders, the Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for Steven Vickery’s family will take place Saturday 8 a.m. until noon at Fire Station #20, Hopkins County Central Fire Station next to UPS on South Texas Street. Vickery’s life ended Thursday following his battle with heart disease, according to Sanders. Sanders and Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley were to be guests on the Morning Show on KSST Friday morning to promote the event. In respect to the family in their loss, they will not appear. However, the fundraiser remains a vital opportunity to assist his family in their sorrow.
Vickery was facing a second open heart surgery or a heart transplant after his health forced an end to his nine year career as a firefighter. Vickery’s wife has been unable to work as a teacher’s aide while caring for her husband and their four children.
The need now is a great as ever and even more so. The community has an opportunity to honor the life and assist the family of Vickery Saturday, February 4th.
Early Childhood Specialist Leads PJC-Sulphur Springs Workshop
Area child care employees will have an opportunity on March 25 to learn from a well-respected early childhood education specialist in a workshop at Paris Junior College. The workshop meets Texas Department of Family and Protective Services continuing education.
Early childhood specialist Lisa Murphy, M.Ed., founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc., will lead the workshop designed for all child care employees. The training provides caregivers an opportunity to learn the newest techniques for addressing children’s behaviors, to discover the latest findings on what children need as they develop, and to refresh and re-energize.
The session begins with a motivational keynote, “What if Today was their only day?” Later topics include identifying and creating child-centered environments, sensory play for every day, outdoor time is not wasted time, and finger-play songs and chants for transition and circle time. The lunch keynote is a licensing update covering what has changed.
Murphy has been involved with early childhood education for over 20 years; teaching and working with children in various environments including Head Start, kindergarten, private preschools, family childcare, park and recreation centers, group homes and many child care centers.
Having authored four books, produced dozens of teacher training DVDs and become a popular keynote speaker at educational conferences, Murphy’s standing-room-only seminars have become nationally known for their information, humor, inspiration and energetic delivery.
Space is limited to the first 175 to register. The workshop includes a box lunch and will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, in the PJC Student Center Ballroom, 2400 Clarksville Street, Paris. For more information and to register, call 903-782-0447.
Buck, Golightly Sign Intent to Play Baseball at Eastfield; Motes Signs for Golf with LeTourneau
Wildcats’ baseball players Mason Buck and Heston Golightly have signed letters of intent to play college baseball for the Eastfield College Harvesters of Mesquite. Both players play outfield and pitch. Both players also play travel ball for Coach Cubby Wilson’s Texas Cubs. Golightly said Coach Wilson introduced him to the Eastfield coaches. Buck met the coaches at the Heat Baseball Academy. Both players tried out.
Golightly said he really likes Harvesters Coach Michael Martin. Eastfield is currently ranked in the top ten in the nation. Golightly said he expects to have the opportunity to pitch and play a position for the Harvesters.
Buck said he would be strictly an outfielder for Eastfield. He said he and Golightly should have the opportunity to play right away and Buck said that opportunity made the two-year college attractive to him. He said he was told that he and Golightly might hit in the middle of the Harvesters lineup next season. Both players said they are looking forward to their senior year of baseball as they hope to turn things around after a disappointing year for the Wildcats last year. Golightly said the team is looking better than last year’s team already. Buck said having 8 starters back plus depth at pitching would help the Wildcats this season.
Alex Motes, a four year member of the Wildcats’ varsity golf team, has signed a letter of intent to play college golf at LeTourneau University in Longview. He said they have a nice campus. LeTourneau also has a new coach and Motes said he looks forward to joining the team and being a part of an effort to build up the program. New Wildcats Coach Chris Owens said Motes has come a long way in four years. He noted that Motes struggled to break 100 as a freshman. Motes said he averaged about 75 during tournaments this summer. Coach Owens said he has talked with Motes about taking a leadership role on this year’s mostly young Wildcats’ golf team and Motes has accepted. Motes said his favorite memory as a Wildcat was the team qualifying for the State Tournament in 2015. The Wildcats ended up in seventh place in the state. In all three of his seasons on the varsity, Motes has been part of a team that has qualified for the regional tournament at the district meet. At the regional tournament last year, Motes shot a first round 73, a score that was matched by teammate Brody Blackmon, who is now playing at Ole Miss.
Ground Breaking For Armorock Polymer Concrete Begins Expansion for Nevada Based Company
Armorock Polymer Concrete chose Texas for their first expansion of the Nevada based Company and Sulphur Springs is the location in Texas. Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation and Armorock Polymer Concrete conducted a ground breaking ceremony at their construction site, 207 Heritage Court in Sulphur Springs Thursday, February 2, 2017.
Vince Bussio, President and Chairman of the Board stated that the company is delighted to move to Sulphur Springs. In spite of the cold and windy conditions, Bussio said the company has received a warm welcome to Sulphur Springs. He states they will employ 30 when the facility opens in mid-year and will increase employment to 50. The company will make Sulphur Springs the Texas hub for their product which will be primarily manhole covers for municipalities. Drawing from 56 years of experience, the manufacturing location will build a rigid, structural polymer concrete structure that meets the structural and corrosion needs required by the engineering community as well as the financial life cycle required by municipalities.
The product will have no cement thus making issues of damage and cracking no longer an issue. The product is corrosion resistant and weighs less enabling an easier installation.
Armorock officials, Bussion, Mike Bussio, Vice-President National Sales, Jeff Graffio-Operations Manager, Grand Donovan, Member of the Board, and Alizarin Salinas, Texas Sales Representative were present for the ground breaking. Representatives of Governor Abbott’s office, State Representative Dan Flynn’s office, and Senator Bob Hall’s office were present for the event.
Sulphur Springs Mayor Emily Glass and County Judge Robert Newsom welcomed the company to the area. Tom Sellers, CEO and President of Alliance Bank, served as master of ceremonies.
Construction work for the new facility began weeks ago at the location on Heritage Court.
