Sulphur Springs Whataburger Adds DoorDash as McDonald’s Closes for Rebuild
July 11, 2024 – The Sulphur Springs Whataburger recently added DoorDash as a delivery option to the many ways to get your Whataburger fix. DoorDash remains the most prevalent delivery service for restaurant delivery in Hopkins County as UberEats and others don’t seem to have as many drivers. Staff at the local eatery reports that the DoorDash delivery option has been very popular since implementation, and now that McDonald’s has closed for a planned rebuild, Whataburger expects to be even busier. You can find out more about DoorDash by going to their website at DoorDash.com or downloading the app from the appropriate app store.
The Sulphur Springs McDonald’s posted a crudely made sign on their door the first week of July, stating that the store is closed for a rebuild. A building permit filed with the City of Sulphur Springs at the end of February shows that the new commercial construction was valued at $1.5 million. The new building should take approximately six months to be constructed.
Foundation Announces First Handbag Bingo Title Sponsor
July 9, 2024 – Sulphur Springs, TX –
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Designer Handbag Bingo has a title sponsor for the first time in its five-year history. The Alliance Bank family of businesses (Alliance Bank, Alliance Bank Financial Services, and Galyean Insurance) is this year’s title sponsor.
This sponsorship augments the Alliance Bank group’s relationship with the Foundation and underscores its support of local healthcare. In particular, the free mammography clinic funded with proceeds from Designer Handbag Bingo is a cause close to the hearts of many who work and are customers of the Alliance Bank, Alliance Bank Financial Services, and Galyean Insurance.
Hopkins County Market President Keith Shurtleff shared, “Alliance Bank, Alliance Bank Financial Services, and Galyean Insurance, together as a business family, are excited to be the Title Sponsor for this year’s Handbag Bingo. We are proud to play a continuing role in supporting the Health Care Foundation. The Foundation provides important services for our community. As a local community Financial Group, we know the importance of supporting this and other, local activities that bring support and value to the whole community.”
“We are so pleased Alliance Bank, Alliance Bank Financial Services, and Galyean Insurance have joined us as the title sponsor for Designer Handbag Bingo. Alliance has been with us as sponsors from the start of Designer Handbag Bingo, so we are thrilled they have taken this step to help us further our mission including the fight against breast cancer in Hopkins County,” responded Foundation Board Chair Maleta Reynolds.
Designer Handbag Bingo is sold out, but raffle tickets for a Mystery Designer bag, sponsored by The Jypsy Willow, are on sale at handbagbingo24.givesmart.com.
The Foundation is in its 27th year of serving Hopkins County. It is an IRS 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit governed by a Hopkins County board of directors.
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Thousands of SWEPCO Customers Without Power Across East Texas
July 9, 2024 – According to SWEPCO 33,614 customers in East Texas are without electric services as an effect of tornadoes from Hurricane Beryl. Residents of East Texas began losing power as the storm moved into the area Monday. The estimated restoration of power is still to be determined in most areas.
SWEPCO serves over 500,00 customers in the area. According to their message to customer via text at 6:04 yesterday “In the wake of tornadoes, energy delivery systems are damaged. Please prepare for extended service loss while we work to restore power safely.”
Power on for Hopkins County and Surrounding Counties
July 9, 2024 – Hopkins County received the blessing of needed rain, but none of the destruction other parts of Texas received. Once a Category 5 hurricane, Beryl was classified as tropical depression when close to Sulphur Springs.
A tropical depression forms when a low pressure area is accompanied by thunderstorms that produce a circular wind flow with maximum sustained winds below 39 mph. An upgrade to a tropical storm occurs when cyclonic circulation becomes more organized and maximum sustained winds gust between 39 mph and 73 mph.
According or Encore and Farmer Electric Coop, one one residence was without power in Hopkins County.
Other regions of East Texas were not so lucky. Thousands of customer around and south of Tyler are without power this morning. Some without an estimate of when power might be restored.
Although a flood watch was issued for Hopkins County, no reports of flooding were received. Several inches of rain fell, but the rate was slow enough that most of the water was absorbed.
Armyworms are Notorious Pests that can Cause Significant Damage by Mario Villarino
July 8, 2024 – Armyworms are notorious pests that can cause significant damage to crops, pastures, and turfgrass. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offers comprehensive resources and advice to help farmers and gardeners manage these pests effectively. Armyworms are the larvae of certain moth species, commonly the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and the true armyworm (Mythimna unipuncta). These caterpillars are typically green, brown, or black and have distinct stripes running along their bodies. They are named for their behavior of moving in large, “army-like” groups from one area to another, devastating vegetation as they go. The armyworm life cycle begins with adult moths laying eggs on host plants or nearby surfaces. These eggs hatch into larvae within a few days. The larval stage, which causes the most damage, lasts about two to three weeks. During this time, the caterpillars feed voraciously on plant material. After the larval stage, they burrow into the soil to pupate, emerging as adult moths about a week later. This cycle can repeat several times a year, especially in warmer climates. Armyworms are highly destructive due to their feeding habits. They consume a wide range of plants, including grains (like corn, wheat, and rice), grasses, and many vegetables. Damage is often seen as ragged holes in leaves, chewed leaf margins, and in severe cases, complete defoliation. Young seedlings are particularly vulnerable and can be entirely consumed, leading to significant yield losses.
Effective management of armyworms involves an integrated approach: Monitoring: Regular field scouting is crucial for early detection. Look for egg masses, young larvae, and signs of feeding damage. Use pheromone traps to monitor adult moth populations and predict larval outbreaks.
Cultural Practices: Implement crop rotation to disrupt the life cycle of armyworms. Maintain healthy soil and plant vigor to reduce susceptibility to infestations. Avoid late-season planting, which can coincide with peak armyworm activity.
Biological Control: Promote natural predators such as birds, parasitic wasps, and beneficial insects like lady beetles and lacewings. Consider introducing commercially available biological control agents like *Bacillus thuringiensis* (Bt), a bacterium that targets caterpillar pests.
Chemical Control: Insecticides may be necessary when armyworm populations reach damaging levels. Select products that are effective against armyworms and follow label instructions carefully. Rotate insecticides with different modes of action to prevent resistance development.
Armyworms present a significant challenge to agricultural production, but with vigilant monitoring and a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical controls, their impact can be managed. For tailored advice and the latest information on armyworm management, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service remains a valuable resource. 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].
Texas Schools Spending Millions on Electric Buses
Districts are buying the vehicles with grants from a $5 billion Clean Bus Program funded by federal taxpayers.
Erin Anderson | July 5, 2024
Texas school districts are taking advantage of a federal grant program to buy electric buses that will cost taxpayers millions.
The grants are part of a $5 billion Clean Bus Program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Funds for the program were included in the $454 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
According to a January press release from the Biden administration, Texas school districts are slated to receive at least $26 million in taxpayer-funded grants from the EPA program.
Fort Worth Independent School District is expected to receive $6.1 million to purchase 15 electric school buses.
Other Texas school districts selected to receive electric bus subsidies include Alief ISD ($7.9 million for 20 buses), Austin ISD ($6.25 million for 25 buses), and San Antonio ISD ($5.9 million for 15 buses).
Three corporations—Envirotech Vehicles, Lion Electric, and Highland CSB 1, LLC—will receive $78 million from taxpayers to provide electric buses to multiple school districts in Texas and other states.
Fort Worth ISD recently previewed the new buses, manufactured by Georgia-based Blue Bird.
The electric school buses cost $350,000 to $400,000, about four times the cost of diesel buses.
An analysis by the Electric School Bus Initiative determined that electric buses save $100,000 in fuel and maintenance costs over a 15-year lifespan, compared to an equivalent diesel bus.
Even so, the electric buses would still cost school districts far more than their diesel counterparts without massive subsidies from federal taxpayers.
For now, the Biden administration’s subsidies are driving “a boom in electric school bus sales” for Blue Bird and other manufacturers.
The buses have a range of up to 120 miles before they need to be refueled. Recharging takes three to eight hours, depending on the type of charger.
Aside from the cost, Texans are concerned about how the expanded use of electric vehicles will impact the state’s power grid.
The EPA will offer more taxpayer-funded electric bus subsidies in future rounds of grants.
The Clean Bus Program falls within Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of the benefits of certain federal programs to “disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.”
This article originally appeared here.
A Visit From Santa in July Mentioned on This Second Cup of Coffee
On this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, Sulphur Springs Public Library Director Hope Cain stopped by to visit. The two discuss the Sulphur Springs Library’s website, sslibrary.org, and some of the features it offers. They also talked about the ratings site, commonsensemedia.org, and all that it has to offer parents and guardians. John Mark and Hope also chatted about other resourceful websites sslibrary.org has links to. The conversation came to a conclusion with the topic of the Sulphur Springs Public Library’s Story Hour on July 16, 2024 having the theme, “Christmas in July”. Hope Cain mentioned a special guest will drop down the chimney for a visit on that day. This and more is discussed on this episode of A Second Cup of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey… Be sure to check it out below!
Make Your Own Hot Pepper Spray From Master Gardener David Wall
July 7, 2024 – Many of you probably have or carry pepper sprays in your pocket or purse to deter bad guys. These containers are compact and can quickly deter a bad guy. The only problem with a spray is its short duration. It would be nice to have a spray bottle that could be used repeatedly at home, and in the garden.
Pepper sprays are safer that chemical pesticides and repellents. They are non-toxic to your vegetable plants and won’t harm pollinators. Also, it deters, not kills, except for spider mites and cabbage worms. Pepper sprays leave a “hot” layer of heat on the plant which pests don’t like.
Cayenne is the most used pepper, but hotter peppers up to habanero can also be used. Peppers can be powder, dried, fresh, or flakes. Adding garlic can intensify the spray. To make your pepper spray, take one gallon of water, 10 cayenne peppers (or 5 tablespoons of pepper flakes or powder), and six cloves of garlic. Use a blender to puree the peppers and garlic.
Now, add the water, stir, and simmer on stovetop for 30 to 45 minutes. All this is done to increase absorption of the pepper oils into the water. Remove heat, wait 24 hours, and strain through a cloth. Store in a sealed container or spray bottle for up to a month. Add a few drops of natural biodegradable dish soap for better plant adhesion when putting in a sprayer.
Best time to apply is early in the evening. Avoid spraying in the heat of the day. Be sure to spray as much of the underside of plants where smaller pests love to hang out. Reapply every few days and whenever it rains.
Always wash vegetables to rinse off any of pepper residue. If not, you’ll get some “hot” produce!
Hopkins County United Way Excess Allocation Check Distribution
July 7, 2024 – On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the Hopkins County United Way distributed Excess Allocation Checks. The event was held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Thanks to the generous community of Hopkins County, United Way received contributions exceeding original allocations for the 2022-2023 Campaign, Chaired by Emily Glass. Hopkins County United Way Board members were pleased to distribute an additional $42,638.77 to select non-profit organizations supported by the 2022-2023 Campaign. Each organization received a portion of the excess. Each non-profit mentioned in the blow video serves people who live in Hopkins County. “Local dollars helping local people.” The Hopkins County United Way thanks donors for their generous support! Be sure to check out the event in the video down below.
City Managers Report July 2nd 2024
CLAIMS – We had one workers’ compensation claim in June for poison ivy exposure. We did not have any liability claims.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN –
We have applied for a $250,000 grant from the General Land Office (GLO) to help pay for the plan. They required an amendment to our Financial Management Policy. The amendment was approved at the May meeting. The GLO says that they will make a decision on July 15.
COLLEGE STREET –
The College Street project is completed!
HOLIDAY DRIVE –
Water and sewer lines are completed. The Capital Construction Division has installed about 90% of the underground drainage. After the drainage is completed the Capital Construction Division will replace some of the curbs and then Texana Land and Asphalt will pave the street. This is a complete reconstruction project, like College Street. After Holiday Drive Capital Construction crews will move to Alabama Street and Thermo for water main and sewer main installation.
WATER FILTER REHABILITATION –
The project is 99% finished. A bit of painting and cleaning is all that remains.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PLAN (SIP) –
Following is the list of streets to be repaved in the 2024 Street Improvement Program. The highlighted streets have been completed. I expect Oak, Melony, and League to be completed by the next city council meeting. Carter, Weaver, and Shook should be completed in August.
| Street | Between | Length |
| League | Asphalt Repairs | 1000 |
| League | Connally to KCS Rail | 1200 |
| W.A. | MLK to end | 2223 |
| Cranford | Robertson to Beasley | 1287 |
| S. Moore | Bellview to Tate | 449 |
| Oak | Gilmer to College | 3446 |
| Pollard | Mulberry to end | 211 |
| N. Davis | Glover to Airport | 1728 |
| Kirtley | Bellview to Nicholson | 412 |
| Ninth | Woodlawn to VanSickle | 845 |
| Carter | Bill Bradford to Whitworth | 2000 |
| Henderson | Craig to League | 449 |
| Melony | Azalea to end | 1215 |
| Jennings | Jefferson to College | 929 |
| Beckworth | Whitworth to Beckham | 690 |
| Sharon | W. Industrial to W. Pampa | 803 |
| Spence | Lemon to Carter | 639 |
| Weaver | Jackson to Teer | 2877 |
| Shook | Weaver to Jefferson | 536 |
| Jacobs | Houston to Bonner | 848 |
| 23,787 |
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES –
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present the usual report of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Demolished 3 structures, 1 on Ross Street and 2 on Jefferson.
- Power washed the interactive fountain and the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial fountain.
- Changed out downtown banners.
- Fertilized grass and flowers downtown.
- Held 83 activities at the Senior Center.
- Hosted 3 softball tournaments.
- Removed dead trees from parks.
- Rented the Grays Building 17 times.
- Mowed the airport twice.
- Conducted 59 building inspections, 37 electrical inspections, 7 plumbing inspections, 1 mechanical inspection.
- Issued 41 building permits and 80 trade permits.
- Checked out 5,573 items from the Library.
- Responded to 284 fire/rescue calls including 17 grass fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance of 30 fire hydrants. Conducted 30 fire inspections.
- Responded to 284 animal control calls while achieving an 80% adoption rate. • Made 4 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 2,142 police 911 calls.
- Responded to 35 accidents, issued 503 citations, recorded 45 offences and made 33 arrests in the Patrol Division.
- Sold 3,797 gallons of AvGas and 6,729 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Accommodated 1,550 airport operations including 375 for the Short Take-off and Landing (STOL) event.
- Restored power to Highway 11 lift station and Cantex lift station (behind hospital) after storms.
- Treated wastewater effluent to a daily average total suspended solids reading of 0.71 mg/L.
- Hauled 309 tons of Sludge to the landfill.
- Repaired 11 water main breaks.
- Replaced 15 water meters.
- Unstopped 25 sewer mains.
- Washed 79,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Flushed 37 dead-end water mains.
