Hoover’s “It Ends With Us” Premiers at Civic Center This Summer
A production of Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends With Us” will be presented at the Regional Civic Center this summer. Triston Pullen will direct the play. The first three nights and the last two performances of the play are already sold out. KSST News interviewed Hoover and Pullen Thursday.
Texas Residents Asked to Assist in Documentation of Bat Species and Populations
COLLEGE STATION — The Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources bat research team is asking Texas residents to help document bat species and populations throughout the state.
The institute’s Bat and Hibernacula Surveys team is conducting surveys statewide to determine the location of wintering bats and their roosts.
“We are trying to get baseline numbers in anticipation of white-nose syndrome, a deadly, cold-adapted fungal disease that could affect hibernating bats throughout the state,” said Melissa Meierhofer, College Station, a research associate at the institute.
Meierhofer said the disease has already caused catastrophic bat losses in the eastern U.S. and is projected to come to Texas within the next few years.
She said maintaining healthy bat populations is critical, particularly for the agriculture industry, because certain bat species eat insects that can harm crops.
“The destruction of crops without these bats could be pretty big. Bats are worth more than $1 billion to the corn crop industry, for example,” she said. “Without sufficient bat populations, there would be an increase in insects and with that could also come an increase in diseases.”
Dr. Brian Pierce, associate director of the institute, College Station, said research has demonstrated bats have a significant impact on the Texas economy due to their control of agricultural insect pests.
“Research has also shown the loss of bat populations in North America could have an estimated impact of $3.7 billion per year,” he said.
Pierce also noted the contribution of bats to the control of insect vectors for disease, particularly mosquitoes, has been estimated by Bat Conservation International to be approximately 10 grams per bat per night.
“That means the estimated 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats just living within Bracken Cave north of San Antonio can consume 220 tons of insects each evening,” he said.
Krysta Demere, another institute research associate working on the survey, said accurate data on the species and populations of bats throughout the state will be helpful in the event white-nose syndrome crosses into Texas.
“There have been reports of positives for the disease in Arkansas and as close as 200 miles from the Texas border,” Demere said. “And while instances may not have resulted in the death of the infected bat, it still shows the disease is close and we need to be vigilant.”
She said the disease was first reported in New York about 12 years ago and has been spreading to bat populations in the U.S. over a distance of about 100 miles each year since.
Meierhofer said data from the survey could help characterize suitable habitats where the fungus could appear so the state will be better prepared to manage the disease.
While the survey team is constantly traveling to different parts of the state, it cannot cover all locations, so they need the assistance of landowners throughout Texas to help them identify overwintering and roosting locations, said Dr. Roel Lopez, institute director, San Antonio.
“By filling out the survey form and providing as much information as possible to the team, landowners can help protect an animal that not only provides a benefit to our ecosystem but also is a draw for nature tourism in the state,” Lopez said.
The form is available at http://bit.ly/2i6bq31.
Lopez noted the popularity of bat-watching sites, especially in Central Texas, but also in the eastern and northern part of the state.
He said by providing information for any bat seen from January through March, individuals can help the team document which bat species are overwintering in the state and where they can be found.
“We’re asking that those using the form provide as much information as they can,” he said. “If possible, we would appreciate individuals providing photographs of both the bat and the location to help the team with species identification.”
Completed forms should be sent to Meierhofer by email at [email protected] or by mail to Texas A&M Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, 1500 Research Parkway, Suite A110, College Station, Texas, 77843-2260.
Team members said they are asking any landowners who have caves on their property to contact the team directly and let them know if they would be willing to allow the team to survey the caves.
With assistance from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Cave Management Association, Texas Department of Transportation and private landowners, the team has already surveyed 49 wintering sites and visited a total of 165 sites. These include caves, bridges, culverts, abandoned buildings and tunnels.
Additionally, Meierhofer said the team has swabbed and visually assessed more than 100 bats for signs of the syndrome. So far, all have tested negative for fungal spores and appear to be healthy.
For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/
Money Laundering Charges Filed on Denton Man
Cumby Police stopped a 2017 Lexus RX330 for doing 88 mph in a 75 mph zone Thursday at the 110 mile marker on I-30. After a roadside investigation, a positive alert was made on the vehicle using a K-9. A probable cause search resulted in two weapons and $12,300 in cash found in the vehicle and $1700 carried by the driver.
Charles Hershel Compton, III, 21, of Denton was arrested for money laundering and place in Hopkins County Jail where he is being held on a $10,000 bond.
DPS Traffic Stop Results in Drug Arrest
When the DPS Trooper stopped the 2016 Mazda 6SP for speeding, the odor of marijuana was apparent. The trooper found marijuana and a substance containing cannabis oil.
Gregory Mack, 38, of Little Rock, Arkansas was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana under 2 oz and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2 less than 1-gram. He is in Hopkins County Jail on $11000 in bonds.
Meth and Weapons Found in Vehicle in Ditch
January 6, 2017 – Hopkins County Deputy was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle in the ditch at FM 69 and FM 71. Christopher Corey Connally, 36 of Pickton, was showing signs of recent narcotics use.
Connally denied Cpl. Koby Hume of the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office permission to search his 2006 Ford F-150. The DPS K-9 unit was called and the K-9 alerted on the vehicle. A small clear plastic baggie containing a crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine was found along with two firearms.
Connally is in Hopkins County jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram, less than 4-grams and with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon. He is being held on a total of $20,000 in bonds.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Tira News January 6, 2017
by Jan Vaughn
The [Robert Weir family] spent New Years Eve with Brenda Allen, Kesley Laurence, James, Malorie, Daniel, Desirea, and Denise, Sarah Lucas and Dakota . Yvonne commented, “We had lots of fireworks and food.”
Chip and I took our daughter, Tiffany, and grandchildren, Kenden and Jaidyn, to Piney Shores Resort on Lake Conroe, over the New Year’s weekend. On Thursday, we took our time driving to the resort. We stopped to get an up close look at the Sam Houston Memorial at Huntsville, and then swam in the wonderfully warm indoor pool that night. We spent the day at the resort on Friday and enjoyed playing miniature golf, volleyball, hiking, and swimming. That night we went to The Ice Rink at The Woodlands and I watched Chip, Tiffany, and the kids skate. After another nice warm swim on Saturday morning, we drove to Kountze, near Beaumont, to visit our great-granddaughter, Dixie, and deliver her Christmas gifts. We returned to the resort to celebrate New Year’s Eve with another dip in the pool, and then played board games and watched the ball drop. We packed up and headed home on Sunday.
Jenifer Lucas, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) director at North Hopkins ISD, reported that the NH elementary and junior high students earned the academic championship in the district UIL meets. Congratulations to all the UIL participants and kudos to the teachers, who helped coach the students in their events!
I hope you all have a wonderful 2017! I would still like to hear more reports of your holiday celebrations.
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].
Master Wellness Volunteer Program By Johanna Hicks
Master Wellness Volunteer Program
Today’s column will focus on another Extension banner program which makes an impact in Hopkins County – Master Wellness Volunteer Program. Finding reliable resources of health and wellness information can be a challenge. Since 1906, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has provided Texans with guidance in various health areas and is now training volunteers to provide more communities with the education and tools needed for healthy living. Be sure to read the last paragraph about the upcoming 2017 training!
Relevance: The Master Wellness Volunteer initiative is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program that will provide volunteers with 40 hours of training in health and nutrition education. In return, the volunteers agree to give back 40 hours of service. The volunteer opportunities are diverse – giving presentations for local community groups, assisting with periodic cooking schools, distributing information at health fairs, and much more. Previous health or wellness training is not required, but an interest in living healthfully and helping others do the same is important.
Master Wellness Volunteers can help teach classes to any age group about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. They can help implement diabetes education programming, such as the Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes series which takes place twice annually. Master Wellness Volunteers can provide healthy recipe demonstrations for Head Start parents, senior citizen’s groups, and others. The opportunities are endless.
Being a Master Wellness Volunteer doesn’t have to mean getting up in front of people and teaching a class, although some of the Hopkins County MWV’s have done so. It can involve administrative tasks, like helping to register people for programming, entering important data into computers that is gathered from AgriLife Extension programs, and designing newsletters or flyers.
Response: Hopkins County has ten trained Master Wellness Volunteers. A newsletter, “Volunteer Connection”, is sent out six or more times per year to keep in touch with volunteers and to announce opportunities to assist with various events and programs. Volunteers are recognized annually at the Extension Leadership Advisory Board banquet, as well as at each event in which they participate. Their activities are also highlighted in the “Volunteer Connection” newsletter. An annual Master Wellness Volunteer Luncheon also provides opportunities to fellowship and receive professional development training.
Results: Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers have contributed a combined total of 419.55 hours in 2016. (And they have already hit the ground running in 2017!) Volunteers assisted with the following events in 2016:
- Kids’ Safe Saturday Fair – 650 attendees
- Kids’ Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness – 27 registered participants, 12 Blue Blaze Drill Team helpers
- Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest – 286 entries
- Senior Citizen’s Expo – 200 attendees
- Ag-in-the-Classroom planning sessions and implementation – 872 attendees, 3 planning sessions
- Annual Leadership Advisory Board Banquet preparations – 60 attendees
- 4-H Foods Project workshop – 27 registered participants
- Annual Holiday Program goody bag preparations, registration, and distribution of materials –147 attendees
- Programming: Head Start Walk & Talk fruit lesson – 15 attendees
- Holiday Program – Appetizers demonstration – 147 attendees
- Kids’ Camp lesson implementation (3 sessions) – 27 registered participants
- Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes registration, tray preparations, evaluation implementation – 5 sessions, 9 participants
- Head Start Parent Fair – 175 attendees
- 55+ Health Fair – 250 attendees
- Christmas Sewing workshop (3 days)– 10 registered participants
- 3 Master Wellness Volunteers attended the Regional training
They reached approximately 7,489 individuals by assisting me with educational programs, food demonstrations, health fairs, marketing/promotion, planning meetings, program preparations, trainings, and other methods. The “Volunteer Connection” newsletter contains volunteer opportunities, recognition, and professional development articles.
Future Implications: The training takes place every two years, and 2017 is the year! Now is the time to get involved if you are interested. The training is scheduled for five consecutive Mondays, starting January 30 and ending Monday, February 27, at the Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston, in Sulphur Springs. We’ll get started at 9:00 a.m. and dismiss at 3:30 p.m. Some days will include lunch, while others will allow you to dine out or bring a sack lunch. Please call 903-885-3443 for registration information
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]
Cold Weather Complications By Mario Villarino
Cold weather can be a challenge for everybody, even for farmers and ranchers. Cold weather makes everything a little bit harder to accomplish and equipment tends to get broken or fail more often in winter, or at least seems to be. Horses are specially sensitive to cold weather and lack of proper hydration during cold days. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, when horses consume winter feeds, water requirements may increase. Hay and grain typically contain less than 15% moisture, while in contrast, pastures posses 60 to 80% moisture. There are two common complications resulting from inadequate water consumption during cold weather: decreased feed intake and impaction colic. Even if quality feed is offered, horses will consume less if not drinking enough water. If less feed is consumed, horses might not have enough energy to tolerate the cold. Fecal contents must maintain adequate moisture levels. If fecal material becomes too dry, intestinal blockage or impaction may occur. A horse will not develop an impaction in one day, but can over several days to several weeks of inadequate water consumption.
Most adult horses weighing 1,000 pounds require a minimum of 10 to 12 gallons of water each day for their basic physiological needs. During winter months, water should be kept between 45 to 65°F to maximize consumption. Previous research indicated that ponies increased their water consumption by approximately 40% each day when the water was warmed above freezing during cold weather. Increasing salt intake will also stimulate a horse to drink more; adult horses should consume one to two ounces of salt per day. Waterers should be cleaned regularly, and clean, fresh water should always be available, regardless of temperature. If using a tank heater to warm water, inspect it carefully for worn wires or other damage, and check the water for electrical sensations or shocks. Snow or ice is not an adequate water source for horses. There have been a few scientific studies that show some horses who are acclimated to winter weather conditions can meet their water requirements from snow. However, there are serious health risks associated with snow consumption, including the length of adjustment period as horses learn to ingest snow, the actual water content of the snow, and total water intake. Therefore, some wild horses can receive their water needs from snow, but the risk of gastrointestinal tract problems, colic, and reduced feed intake is significant for domestic horses. It is important to have a good working client relationship with a trusted veterinarian that can help you if your horse colic. Colic is a veterinary emergency that needs prompt care.
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
Senior Bridge
Bridge players at the Sulphur Springs Senior Center are always looking for new teams to join in the fun. Currently a “substitute” from Winnsboro drives each week to complete a team. The group is missing a 98 year-old player due to medical issues. Men are welcome to join, but historically Men lack the commitment required to keep harmony among the other players. Assemble a team of 4 or just watch each Thursday at 12:30 pm.
The Hood Is In; First United Methodist Church
New oven and a much needed Vent-A-Hood
Things are looking up in the kitchen at First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs. A gigantic Vent-A-Hood now has dominion over heat and fire safety. The kitchen where Dinner Bell makes it weekly meals is nearing completion. In addition to the ventilation and fire safely upgrades a new commercial double oven stands ready.
Head cook Judy Gilreath gives a tour to remember. Highlights include the washing station, the French “industrial food processor” and the time saving Iced Tea machine. “It’s a community event each Wednesday”, says Gilreath. Cooks and helpers from different denominations help in the preparation and delivery of meals.
Support for the Dinner Bell come from many sources. United Way helps foot the bill as well as a weekly sponsor. The sponsor provides food and helpers. Sponsors can be a business, a group, or even in memory of a loved one. Sunday School classrooms have a jar where church members make donations as well.
Diners come from all walks of life. The dinning room is wheelchair accessible. Young, old, needy or just hungry… Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to come.
Dinner Bell is on for January 11th after a 3 week hiatus due to the essential upgrades to the kitchen.
