Dove Hunters Warned About Wildfires
August 30, 2023 – During the upcoming dove hunting season, Texans are urged to help protect the lands and natural resources that we all love by being mindful of activities that may cause a wildfire.
Persistent triple-digit temperatures and minimal rainfall over the past two months have resulted in extremely dry vegetation across the state, which increases the likelihood of dangerous wildfires. Any outdoor activities that create heat or sparks can ignite dry vegetation and wildfire.
“Since mid-June, Texas has been marked by devastating wildfires that have burned more than 75,000 acres,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. As Texans recreate this hunting season, it is important to remember that your actions can leave a lasting impact, and everyone has a role to play when preventing wildfires.”
Every year, hunters take to Texas lands for the start of dove hunting season. Wildfires caused by vehicles, trailers, ATV/UTVs and other equipment frequently used while hunting and camping are common during the season, which occurs each year from September to January.
This year, conditions are favorable for wildfire ignitions and Texas land management agencies urge everyone to be cautious on hunts, whether it takes place on public or private land.
“We are excited to welcome hunters back to the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas for another successful season. Hunting season is one of the busiest times on the forests and grasslands, and safety is always our primary concern,” said Kimpton Cooper, National Forest and Grasslands in Texas Forest Supervisor. “Combining efforts with our state partners to spread awareness, while encouraging our visitors to follow guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of wildfires during hunting season. Remember, practicing responsible behavior and being vigilant can help preserve the natural environment and ensure everyone’s safety.”
As the upper-level ridge continues over Texas, widespread temperatures will remain in the triple-digits with lower relative humidity values. With little to no improvement in fuel dryness, fire potential is expected to persist for North, Central and East Texas.
“As Texans venture outdoors, it’s important to remember just how dry the vegetation is. It doesn’t take much for an inadvertent spark or carelessness to cause a wildfire,” said Chis Schenk, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Statewide Fire Program Leader. “The high temperatures cause fires to spread rapidly and make it hard for firefighters to work. Please enjoy the outdoors but be careful with fire.”
Nine out of 10 wildfires in Texas are human-caused and everyone can make a difference by taking personal responsibility for their actions. Remain vigilant as drought conditions continue to expand and intensify and be cautious with any activity that may cause a spark.
To avoid accidentally starting a wildfire while dove hunting:
- Avoid driving over and parking on dry grass – the heat from your vehicle can easily ignite the grass.
- Always check with local officials for burn bans or other outdoor burning restrictions. Each county in Texas sets and lifts its own burn bans. View the latest burn ban map here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/burnbans/.
- If you are taking a trailer out on your adventures, make sure that the tires are properly inflated, chains will not contact the road and any loose metal will not continually hit anything else, all of which can cause sparks.
- Always be ready to put out a fire should one start. Have a shovel and water with you in camp and have a fire extinguisher with you at all times.
For more information on preventing wildfires this hunting season, please visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/HuntingFireSafety/.
Temporary Fossil Park in Ladonia
August 30, 2023 – Along the banks of the North Sulphur River, construction is underway on Lake Ralph Hall which will evenutally cover 12 square miles. The Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) is in charge of the project. Construction of the new lake has displaced a fossil park along the shores under a the State Highway 34 bridge, but fossil hunters are still in luck as a temporary park has opened while construction of the reservoir is ongoing. The temporary park is located immediately east of Farm to Market Road 2990, on the north side of the river, just west of the old park site. This temporary fossil park will remain open until construction of Lake Ralph Hall is finished, according to the water district.
A new permanent fossil park can be created downstream of the lake’s dam, UTRWD said. UTRWD and the city of Ladonia “are working to select another spot where fossil hunters can continue to easily access the river bottom after the reservoir is built. By offering access to different locations on the Sulphur River, the park relocation will provide opportunities for additional untapped fossil discoveries,” UTRWD said in a statement on its website.
The fossil park will continue to be a huge draw for tourists looking for prehistoric artifacts washed away by water that removes sediment from the fossil beds. The largest piece recovered so far is a six-foot section of jawbone from a mosasaurus, an “underwater lizard” that used to swim in the region tens of thousands of years ago, back when it was a sea. The jawbone is being kept at the Perot Museum of Science in downtown Dallas.
To find out more information including location and hours of the temporary park, visit the City Of Ladonia’s webpage about the park. Ladonia Temporary Fossil Park
Expert Hands on Training is One of the Many Advantages to Getting an Education From Paris Junior College
WELDING PROJECT
Structural welding student Lane McGraw of Cumby, left, and pipe welding student Harlie Harred of Birthright, center, listen as PJC-Sulphur Springs welding instructor John Plemons shows them the correct weld bead placement on their project.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
West Texas A&M Will No Longer Require Students To Pay For Textbooks
August 29, 2023 – The president of the Canyon, TX campus announced by letter to students, faculty and staff that the university will be moving to eliminate the need for students to pay for textbooks by the Fall semester starting in 2024. The university is also encouraging faculty to explore how artificial intelligence can be used as a teaching aid.
The purchase of reference books and digital materials like style guides may still be required for courses, but Wendler said many virtual options are available to replace them as well. The university has also agreed provide additional free printing to students who wish to have a physical copy of course materials, Wendler said. Students’ allotment of free pages to print will be increased from 1,500 to 3,000, though students may be able to print more pages if they need them, he said.
The average college textbook in the U.S. is estimated to cost $105.37, and in-state undergraduates at four-year universities pay $1,226 in average a year for required books and supplies, according to the Education Data Initiative.
Wendler acknowledged the transition might be challenging but he said he is hopeful West Texas A&M will be able to eliminate textbook costs by next year’s fall semester. The university will offer more than a dozen workshops this semester to teach faculty and staff how they can use artificial intelligence and other digital tools when developing course materials.
Wendler’s letter also states that the various colleges will provide the funding in case a textbook is required, but no further details were provided on how that will actually work.
Official Rules for the Ribeye Roundup 2023
The 2023 Cattleman’s Classic and Ribeye Roundup will once again serve up steaks on Celebration Plaza this October 7th. The official rules for the cooking teams has been published.
Ticket are on sale now, click here for more details.
Here are some of the rules. You can find the complete list by clicking here.
Remember, this is a public event and good sportsmanship is appreciated. Visit with other cooks, make new friends, promote beef, and have fun.
Let the bragging begin! As a cook team entering the competition, you are agreeing to participate in the public dinner. Teams will be expected to cook steaks for the public dinner. Serving begins at 6:30. Teams should be prepared to cook 20 30 public steaks provided to you by CCRR.
Cook teams may begin setting up at 6:30 a.m. The square will be closed to all traffic at 10 a.m. sharp. All vehicles will be removed from the cook area immediately following setup. The square will be closed to traffic until 10:30pm. (Special parking available behind the First Baptist Church in the East parking lot).
One member of each cook team will attend the Cook’s Meeting located on the South end of the square. Steaks will be submitted in the same location.
No outside meat will be allowed for the competition or for the public steak dinner. Offenders will be immediately disqualified.
Teams are encouraged to prepare samples, hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, etc. as long as it compliments BEEF!
All steaks for the competition will be 14-16 oz. ribeyes, provided by the steak cook off.
Grills are limited to the following gas (propane), wood or charcoal.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report 08-21-2023 – 08-27-2023
Arrests:
Brassfield, Jerri, 39 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 8-20-2023 for Possession of Controlled Substance PG 1/1-B>=1G<4G and unlawful carrying weapon.
Harless, Johnny, 58 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 8-21-2023 on a Texas Parole Violation Warrant.
Hooten, Cody, 20 years of age, of Mineola, was arrested on 8-27-2023 on 3 Winnsboro Municipal Court Warrants.
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 147 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 38 citations and 44 warnings during this reporting period.
Emory Resident Arrested for 3rd DWI
August 28, 2023 – Emory resident CARLTON DEWAYNE CAGLE, age 61, was arrested this weekend and charged with at least his third DWI.
A report of a reckless driver was received by dispatch late Sunday night. The driver could not maintain his lane. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy traveled to 154 South and was able to locate the northbound vehicle.
A traffic stop was performed and the white Malibu came to a stop in the parking lot of a south Broadway store. Cagle show sign of intoxication and admitted to drinking alcohol before driving. He was asked to exit the vehicle. Open alcoholic beverage containers were found in his car. Cagle was unable to perform field sobriety tests and was arrested. His car was impounded.
At the Hopkins County Jail, Cagle refused to submit a blood sample. A warrant was obtained and a sample was taken.
Cagle, who lists himself as unemployed, has at least two prior convictions for DWI. A records checked shows his second occured in February of 2023 in Rains County Texas.
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.
Sulphur Springs Man Stopped with Half Pound of Concealed Meth
August 28, 2023 – A Hopkins County Deputy was on routine patrol this weekend on I-30 when he noticed a vehicle fail to signal a lane change. The Hyundai was traveling east on I-30. The deputy pulled out and began following the car. The driver exited the interstate near Cumby and again failed to signal.
A traffic stop was performed in the parking lot of a gas station on the south service road. When contacted, the driver was nervous, sweating, had slurred speech and would not make eye contact. The driver, CRIS GLENN BROWN, was asked to exit the vehicle.
Brown was told why he was pulled over. He was asked if he had anything illegal in his car. Brown said ‘no’. He was then asked if a search of his car could be done. He granted permission for a search. A search of the interior of the vehicle reveal nothing illegal. Deputies then turned to exterior of the car.
Several magnetic boxes were found attached to the undercarriage of the vehicle. Inside those boxes were baggies containing a total of nearly 252 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
Deputies were careful to document and secure the evidence. The car was impounded. His cellphone was also confiscated as evidence.
Brown is charged with:
1 481.112(E) MAN/DEL CS PG 1 >= 200G < 400G
His bond is set at $100,000.
This is not the first time Brown has been in Hopkins County Jail. In August of 2020, Brown was arrested for allegedly choking a 19-year-old household member to the point she could not breath. A Hopkins County Grand Jury Indicted Brown on that charge. See that story here.
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.
Burn Ban In Effect for Hopkins County
August 28, 2023 – The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court voted to enact a burn ban for Hopkins County effective immediately. No outdoor burning of any kind will be allowed during the ban. The dry conditions and lack of rain have elevated drought conditions across the State of Texas and few counties are left without burn bans. Hopkins County recently entered the “Abnormally Dry” level on the Texas Drought Monitor with no relief in sight. All but 10 counties in the panhandle are now listed at some level of drought in Texas The ban will stay in effect until such time as conditions improve.
Charged with Theft, Daniel Back in Hopkins County Jail
August 28, 2023 – Holly Rena Daniel is back in Hopkins County Jail. Her bond is set at $75,000. She now faces this charge:
1 31.03(E)(5) THEFT PROP >=$30K<$150K
Daniel was arrested earlier this year and charged with:
1 32.51(C-1) FRAUD USE/POSS IDENT INFO # ITEMS <5 ELDERLY
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.
