Lady Cats Earn Spot in Idabel Tourney’s Championship Game
The Lady Cats’ basketball team earned a spot in the championship game of the Idabel, Oklahoma Warrior Winter Classic with a nail-biting 44-42 win over Marlow, Oklahoma Thursday afternoon. The Lady Cats play an opponent to be determined in the final at 7 p.m. Friday.
Marlow led the Lady Cats, 14-12 after one quarter. The Lady Cats had a 22-19 lead at halftime and a 38-32 lead after three quarters. The Lady Cats were outscored 10-6 in the fourth quarter but hung on to win.
Autumn Tanton led the Lady Cats with 13 points. She also had 6 rebounds, 5 steals, 3 deflections and 2 assists. Kaylee Jefferson had 10 points and a team leading 10 rebounds along with 2 blocks, a steal, 1 deflection and 3 assists. Sadavia Porter had 8 points, 3 rebounds, 5 steals, 4 deflections and 1 assist. Tori Moore scored 7 points including the team’s only successful three pointer. Moore also had 5 rebounds, 5 deflections and 1 assist. Sheretta Hill scored 6 points along with 4 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal. The Lady Cats shot 36% from the field despite only 1 of 14 from three-point range.
The Lady Cats are now 16-3 for the season.
Wildcats Lose to 6A Powerhouse in Tourney; Return to District Play Tuesday
The Wildcats’ basketball team hung around a long time with a very talented Houston Sam Houston team before losing, 66-50 in a quarterfinal game at the Leroy Romines Memorial Basketball Tournament in Longview Thursday night. The Wildcats are done after winning two and losing two in the tournament featuring good competition. Their other loss was to Pro Vision of Houston, a powerful charter academy.
The Wildcats actually led the Class 6A Sam Houston Tigers, 17-12 after the first quarter. The Tigers rallied to lead 32-23 at halftime. The Wildcats only trailed 46-43 after three quarters.
Victor Iwuakor led the Wildcats with 17 points. Michael Jefferson scored 10 points and Keaston Willis added 9. The Wildcats hit 7 three-pointers in the game. Sam Houston was led by Kendric Davis with 31 points and Jacob Wiley, a 6-7 post, with 14 points.
The Wildcats season record slips to 16-4. Next the Wildcats, 1-0 in district play, return to district action as they play Marshall Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Wildcats Gym.
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Malorie Patrone, James Turcios, and Daniel, Desirea, and Denise visited Robert and Yvonne Weir and had supper with them on Friday night. Wesley and Yvonne attended the candlelight service at the Tira Methodist Church on Christmas Eve. Yvonne reports that “it was a lovely service.”
Floyd Payton had to undergo surgery for an abdominal aneurism and he came home from the hospital on Christmas Eve. Martha reports, “Regina had lunch ready and we enjoyed some comfort food.” They are glad to be home and want to thank everyone for all the “good wishes.”
Landon, Laiken, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin celebrated Christmas with Laiken’s family on Christmas Eve.
Jaidyn, Kenden, and Morgan Joslin and Morgan’s girlfriend, Alexis, and Landon, Laiken, and their family had Christmas dinner and exchanged gifts with Malcolm and Tanja in Sulphur Springs on Sunday night.
We attended the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. Our son, Delayne, arrived from Waco on Christmas Day. After church, our family – Tiffany, Morgan, Kenden, Jaidyn, Morgan’s girlfriend Alexis, Landon, Laiken, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden, joined the three of us for lunch and opening presents. Chip’s mother and sister, Grace and Linda Ellen Vaughn, visited us on Christmas night.
Kenden Joslin celebrated his 15th birthday on Tuesday, December 27th. Our family visited Liz Steinsiek at her Tira cabin that afternoon. Also there were Michael, Tracy, Jordyn, Madison, and Lani Horn, and Carol, Jessica, and Jared Cowley. The kids, and some of the adults played badminton and bean bag toss. Others enjoyed the nice weather, while sitting on the porch and visiting. Afterward, the group (except the Cowleys) went to the ROC (First Baptist Church’s Recreational Outreach Center), where they were treated to pizza and cake and had fun playing games. Malcolm and Tanja were there, as well as Kenden’s girlfriend, Abby, and her brother.
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]
Marriage and Parenting Education Wrap-Up By Johanna Hicks
Marriage & Parenting Education Wrap-up
This is the 3rd in a series of program summaries in the area of Family & Consumer Sciences for 2016. (If you missed the first two, they covered Diabetes Education and Health & Wellness in Hopkins County.)
One of my favorite workshops to teach is Twogether in Texas Marriage Education. This is a program recognized by the state of Texas and is deemed as being so important that the state portion of the marriage license fee is waived for engaged couples who attend the workshop.
Relevance:
Marriage and parenting education are recognized by the State of Texas as being vitally important to the economy and well-being of families, leading to a safer environment (Baseline Report on Marriage in the Lone Star State, Health and Human Services Commission, 2009). Marriage overwhelmingly benefits individuals, couples, families, and communities throughout the United States (National Marriage Project: The State of the Unions, 2007). The benefits of a healthy marriage seem to span almost all domains of lived experience. Children that live in the homes of those who have healthy marriages are respected and nurtured by two dedicated and loving parents.
Workshops focusing on marriage education and parenting education are held separately, while the first has a great impact on parenting. Strong marriages make strong families, and strong families make strong communities.
Response:
1) Five Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshops were held in 2016. Engaged couples or married couples are welcome to take part. The topics covered in the workshops include:
– Marriage expectations: What expectations does each individual bring to the relationship, either spoken or unspoken, and how does that impact the future or current marriage?
– Communication: What is each individual’s communication style – expander or contractor – and how does that play out in the relationship? Neither style is bad if used in the correct context.
– Conflict Resolution: What are the red flags exhibited in each individual? What is the response to conflict? The 10-step conflict resolution approach is reviewed.
– Money Management: How does each individual in the couple handle money? Do they know the basics in money management? The Bean Game serves as a tool for couples to plan a budget.
– Goals & Dreams: What does the couple want their marriage to look like 10, 20, 30 years down the road? Couples receive a project to complete during the workshop and share their thoughts and dreams.
– The workshop includes a combination of teaching styles – lecture, video, group activities, and group interaction.
2) A Regional Childcare Conference was conducted in partnership with Paris Junior College and Texas Workforce to reach childcare providers with required face-to-face training hours, as well as provide
resources for an effective childcare center. Texas A&M AgriLife FCS agent plays a valuable part on the planning committee and implements many of the breakout sessions each year. The 2016 workshop provided the following:
– Four hours of training provided by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialists in Pest Management and Parks/Indoor Play areas
– Four 1-hour-long breakout sessions on seasonal crafts, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Shaken Baby, transportation, and childhood nutrition. Participants selected two sessions.
Results:
Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshops:
Nineteen couples (38 individuals) participated in the 2016 marriage education workshops. Upon completion of the workshop, each couple is given a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. This came to a total savings of $1,140. Community partners included:
– Idzi Bitsy Bakery (provided cake balls), Chocolate Finale (provided chocolates)
– Master Wellness Volunteers and Family & Consumer Sciences committee prepared lunch for the couples
I am also a member of the Wedding Professionals of Northeast Texas group, which hosted a bridal fair and event tour in 2016.
Regional Childcare Conference:
The Childcare Conference had 125 in attendance, with each participant receiving 8 hours of Continuing Education Credits. This meets their face-to-face requirements. In addition, childcare providers are provided the link to access a variety of on-line courses provided by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. These are accepted by the State of Texas Licensing Board as credible resources. The childcare providers can take the courses at their own leisure and a certificate is available upon completion of each course.
I led two concurrent sessions on “Child Development – Ages and Stages” with 45 participating in my sessions.
In addition, the Better Living for Texans newsletter is provided on-line for daycare centers, schools, individuals, and agencies. The newsletter provides nutrition information, recipes, and family mealtime segments and reaches over 5,000 households with each edition.
Future Implications: Twogether in Texas Marriage Education workshops and Childcare Provider Workshops will continue to be conducted in Hopkins County. Dates have been set for 2017 for both events, and partnerships will remain to be a vital part of the planning and implementation of these valuable events. The next Twogether in Texas Marriage education workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 11.
Master Wellness Volunteer Training Reminder
I am now taking registrations for the 2017 Master Wellness Volunteer Training, to take place face-to-face on five consecutive Mondays, starting Monday, January 30. A hybrid option is also available upon request (part face-to-face and part on-line.) Be sure to call my office for details. More to come!
Closing Thought
Happy New Year! Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year – Ralph Waldo Emerson
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]
Mistletoe By Mario Villarino
As I was visiting several sites recently, I noticed the presence of mistletoe in several big trees in Hopkins County. According to Texas A&M plant pathologist J. Johnson, mistletoe is an important part of the holiday season. Branches are frequently hung over the door as part of the celebration. Unfortunately that is the only good use for this plant.
For the rest of the year homeowners are concerned about how to rid their trees of this pest. Although it is a green plant and manufactures its own food, it is a parasite. Water and nutrients needed by mistletoe for its growth and development are taken from the tree’s sap. The plant is present on the tree 12 months of the year, but property owners become more concerned about controlling the parasite during the winter months. During this time the leaves have shed from the tree and it is more noticeable. Species of Phoradendron (which means tree thief in Greek) are the leafy mistletoes found in Texas.
The European leafy mistletoe species is Viscum album but is not found in Texas. Mistletoe produces a white berry that is part of many bird’s diet. The seed are covered with a sticky substance. They are spread by birds to other trees and deposited on limbs in their excrement. The gelatinous coating acts like a glue to bind the seed to the limb until it germinates. After germination, a root like structure penetrates the bark and grows into the xylem, water conducting tissue of the limb. The root like structures ( haustoria) take materials needed by the mistletoe. Mistletoe seldom kills a tree outright, but heavily infested limbs are stressed. This can increase a tree’s susceptibility to other problems. Small infested limbs can be removed by pruning. This is one of the more effective control methods. Cut limbs at least 12 inches below the mistletoe. Cuts that are made immediately below the stem of the mistletoe, may leave some of the root system. The remaining haustoria will develop a new top.
Mistletoe also grows on large limbs or the tree’s trunk. When growing on a large limb or trunk, remove only the mistletoe. Do not try to scoop out a portion of the host when removing the plant. If a portion of the wood is removed in an attempt to remove the mistletoe roots, the structure of the limb or trunk is weakened and is more susceptible to breakage due to wind or ice accumulation during the winter months. Wood rotting and canker fungi use the cut as an entry point. There have been reports that covering the plant with a black plastic bag for 1-2 years was an effective control for the plant. This has the same effect as trying to grow a green plant without sunlight.. Chlorophyll and sunlight are necessary to the manufacture of food for the mistletoe. If this technique is to be effective, the plastic would have to be tightly wrapped and sealed to prevent sunlight from reaching the mistletoe.
On small trees with limited infestation, this technique might be used safely. On large trees, unless special lift equipment is available, it would be difficult to wrap the limbs. The presence of the black plastic wraps detract from the appearance of the tree. Because of the close relationship between the mistletoe’s haustoria and the tree’s vascular system, chemical control has not been effective. Herbicides such as Round Up, 2,4 D, Paraquat, MSMA and DSMA evaluated in field trials conducted by members of the Texas Agricultural Extension have been ineffective or caused injury to the tree. Currently no herbicide is recommended for mistletoe control.
In the last few years a commercial product, Florel was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for mistletoe control. The active ingredient is an ethylene compound and is manufactured by Rhone Poulenc. Ethylene is a natural occurring plant hormone that increases during fruit ripening. It is labeled for several uses in production agriculture and on ornamentals. Florel is applied during the winter months. When used in the field, Florel kills the top but by late summer new growth is observed breaking through the bark of the limb. Another concern with Florel is that some plants exposed to the drift may experience leaf shedding. However, it has not killed plants exposed to spray drift. Berries are produced only on mature plants. It normally takes 2-3 years for a plant to reach maturity. By removing the mistletoe plant before it reaches maturity, seed are not produced. This would reduce the spread of the plant. This approach is only effective if all property owners are willing to participate by removing mistletoe from their trees. Trees vary in susceptibility to the parasite. Cedar and juniper are not bothered by this plant and pecan, live oak and magnolia trees are seldom infected with mistletoe. Water oak, Spanish oak, elm and hackberry trees are frequently observed to be infested.
To answer the question is mistletoe a pest or nuisance? It is a parasite and its presence is one more stress factor that a tree must overcome. However, it is not a plant that must be removed for most trees to survive, removal is suggested if it can done safely and economically. 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
‘North’ Sulphur Springs Gas Station Getting an Upgrade
The new owner of the ‘Northline’ convenience store recently began a significant remodel of the building on Church Street. The project is scheduled to be complete in 3-4 weeks. The improvements include pay-at-the-pump, a new compliant restroom, new kitchen, new ceiling, and a new bank of coolers. Other aspects will not change such as the food and friendliness.
This store is 1 of 5 now owned by Frank Himani. Store manager Tony Parker said they were modernizing “virtually everything”. Until the kitchen is complete, food prepared at another store will be delivered to help meet customer needs. There are no job openings, as all currently employees have been retained. The store also has a alcohol resale permit. “We want to preserve the (Northline) store as much as we can, but we also need to update it”. Along with the new stone facade, the store’s new name will be “Starmart #5”.
Lady Cats Win Would Send Them to Idabel Tourney Final for Second Year in a Row
The Lady Cats’ basketball team will play in the semi-final game at the Idabel, Oklahoma Warriors Winter Classic against Marlow, Oklahoma Thursday at 4 p.m. The Lady Cats opened the eight-team tournament with a solid 66-34 win over Haworth, Oklahoma Wednesday morning.
Kaylee Jefferson led the Lady Cats with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Autumn Tanton had 12 points and Sadavia Porter 11 points. The Lady Cats season record is 15-3.
A victory Thursday afternoon would put the Lady Cats into the championship game Friday at 7 p.m. It would mark their second year in a row to make the final game in this tournament.
Wildcats In Gold Bracket at Longview Tourney
The Wildcats’ basketball team won their way into the top Gold Bracket at the Leroy Romines Memorial Basketball Tournament in Longview Thursday morning with a 69-51 victory over Henderson in pool play. The Wildcats won two out of three in pool play also defeating Pleasant Grove 69-65 Wednesday night. Their only loss was 83-57 to powerful Pro Vision of Houston, a charter school academy, Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday morning the Wildcats led Henderson after one quarter 17-10, then at the half 35-22 and after three quarters 50-37. The Wildcats shot well from beyond the arc hitting ten three-point baskets. Keaston Willis led the Wildcats in scoring with 22 points including 4 three-pointers. Bryson Lynn has 12 points on 4 three-pointers. Dedric Godbolt and Michael Jefferson had 8 points each. Godbolt had two three-pointers. Henderson’s LeKendrick Van Zandt had 16 points.
The Wildcats open play in the quarterfinals of the Gold Bracket Thursday at 7 p.m. The tournament matchmakers did the Wildcats no favors in the bracket, which was redrawn from the original. The Wildcats now face Houston Sam Houston, the #1 rated team in Class 6 A according to some polls. The Wildcats are now 16-3 for the season.
City Mails Refund Checks for Inaccurate Building Permit Fees
Refund checks totaling $195,000 have been mailed by the City of Sulphur Springs following the discovery of inaccurate building permit fees during a review of the budget. During a four year period 618 permits out of 2363, or one in four permits were overcharged.
During the fall of 2012, the City of Sulphur Springs Department of Community Development upgraded its permit process by acquiring and implementing the IWORQ permitting system. The new systems provided many positive changes according to a news release from City Manager Marc Maxwell. He stated, “Unfortunately, its implementation was flawed.” Problems occurred at the time that the Community Development Department was reorganized with a new department head and a new Chief Building Official. As new staff transitioned and as the new program was implemented, some of the permit fees were incorrectly entered. Utilizing those incorrectly entered permit fee amounts, approximately one in four permits issued during the past four years contained overcharges.
Since the discovery of the improperly entered fee amounts in October, the City has taken action to correct the errors going forward. Additionally, during the same period, the City has manually audited every permit issued since the implementation of the IWORQ software. Beginning Thursday, December 29, 2016, the City of Sulphur Springs is issuing refund checks to each person who was overcharged for the building permits they received from the city.
The city of Sulphur Springs has also taken effective action to ensure that this kind of problem does not occur again in the future. We, as a City, strive to maintain an environment that fosters responsible and progressive economic growth and that will not change, according to Maxwell. He stated, “We strive to be a partner to those persons willing to invest in the growth and progress of Sulphur springs. As we move forward, we will continue to promote that partnership, to build on our successes and to create a strong and inviting city.”
