Community Juneteenth Celebration
Saturday, June 18th, at Pacific Park in Sulphur Springs the community will be celebrating Juneteenth. The celebration will begin at 10:30 am and conclude at sundown. Juneteenth was born June 19, 1863 when General Gordon Granger and troops arrived in Galveston, Tx with the delayed news that slaves had already been freed by the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln two and a half years earlier on January 1, 1863. June 19th was coined as Juneteenth and the celebration was on!
Sulphur Springs’s Juneteenth celebration was revived six years ago by several young men and women chaired by Prince Beachum. The 2016 Juneteenth festivities will “kickoff” this Saturday with a 10:30 am parade of floats, car, horses, wagons, cycles, performers, etc. throughout the Pacific Park community honoring Mrs. Guyeula Watson as the Parade Marshall. Mrs. Watson was a longtime educator in our community along with her husband Tommy Watson. Both were exemplary educators, church leaders, community leaders, examples of dignity, pride, and valor to Sulphur Springs and the surround communities. We They are also celebrating Mrs. Watson’s 90th birthday.
After the parade, they’ll have games, horse and cycles rides, bounce houses, watermelon and dance contests, history exchanges, fellowship, and the best grilled meats, BBQ, foods, dishes, desserts, refreshments ever prepared in East Texas! The Juneteenth Committee coordinates will be delivering plenty of food early Saturday as “meal deliveries” to their senior citizens and shut-ins who are unable to attend.
All are invited to join in the Juneteenth Celebration this Saturday, June 19th at Pacific Park as they celebrate American History!
History background and information submitted by Carolyn Thomas.
Agrilife: Controlling Beaver Damage
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
With our constant rain overrunning our fields, wildlife has the tendency to become displaced from their natural habitat due to flooding. This is true about insects and snakes. Last week I wrote about snake population managements. Just as snakes and insects, beavers are also important for our county ecology.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension information, most of the damage caused by beavers is the result of bank burrowing, dam building, tree cutting or flooding. Levees or pond dams weakened by beaver burrows may collapse during periods of high water. If creeks, drainage ditches, culverts and spillways become blocked by beaver dams, adjacent pasture land, timberland and roadways can be damaged by flooding and erosion. Beavers can damage boat docks and fishing piers by building their lodges underneath them. Beavers also can cause extensive damage to agricultural crops such as corn or sugar cane, although their damage is more commonly inflicted on trees along rivers, streams and lakes. In urban areas, beavers damage fruit trees, gardens and ornamental trees Beaver control is best accomplished as soon as there is evidence of beaver damage.
Once beaver colonies become established over a large area, controlling them can be difficult and costly. Fencing of culverts, drain pipes or other structures can sometimes prevent damage; however, beavers often simply incorporate the fence into their dam. Fencing lakes and ponds to exclude beavers is generally not practical. Barriers of sheet metal or hardware cloth placed around the bases of valuable trees may help prevent damage. The barrier should extend from ground level to a height of about 4 feet. A variety of traps and trapping methods is effective in controlling beavers. Live traps, leghold traps, conibear traps and snares can be used. The effectiveness of any trap is determined by a person’s knowledge of beaver habits, as well as proper trap selection and placement. Beavers are classified as furbearers in Texas, but it is legal to trap them. Under state law, a person may trap a furbearing animal at any time if it is causing damage; however, the pelt can be sold only during furbearer season and with the proper licenses.
Other furbearers include otter, mink, ringtailed cat, badger, skunk, nutria, weasel, raccoon, opossum, muskrat, fox and civet cat. Landowners needing help or wishing to live trap beavers and relocate them after they have been caught must notify a representative of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. We currently have a professional trapper working for Hopkins and Wood Counties capable of providing services and information related to beaver control. For additional information contact the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Hopkins County and ask for Beaver Control Program at 903-885-3443.
Heat Advisory Extended Through Friday
A heat advisory issued earlier this week will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Friday as temperatures continue to reach the middle to upper 90’s with afternoon heat index values between 103-108 across all North Central and Northeastern Texas. Heat exhaustion or heat stroke can quickly occur to anyone working or participating in outdoor activities. Children, persons with health problems, and pets are most susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening, wear light or loose fitting clothing and drink plenty of water.
3 SSHS Varsity Cheerleaders Seek Dairy Festival Crown
CONTESTANTS # 8 LaMIER PRYOR, #6 ANN-MARIE WINBORN AND #7 STORY THOMPSON
When we met the final trio of Dairy Festival Queen’s contestants, we found out they are all SSHS Varsity Cheerleaders. In fact, all 8 contestants are classmates who have shared experiences over the years in academics, sports and music. They have grown even closer as friends and made fond memories through this year’s Dairy Festival.
Contestant # 6 Ann-Marie Winborn is age 17 and is the daughter of Jennifer Lansou. She loves all type of dance from pointe to modern to hip hop, winning awards in competitions and invitationals through the Ardis Centre for Dance Instruction. In school, she is historian for BPA, Vice President of National Technical Honor Society, and received an Agriculture Proficiency award in Veterinary Science. She has played on the SSHS Varsity Tennis team, and has been a cheerleader all through high school. This summer, she is volunteering at a local vet office and plans to study for a career in Veterinary Medicine. For her talent, Anne-Marie will perform a hip-hop dance solo to “Home”. Her evening gown selection is a halter-top sequined gown in shades of purple.
Contestant #7 Story Elizabeth Thompson, age 17, is the daughter of Jason and Holly Thompson. She is Captain of the SSHS Varsity Cheer Squad, Chapter President of the National Honor Society and Chapter Secretary for NTHS. She plans to pursue a career in Business after graduating from Texas A and M-Commerce. Besides cheerleading, Story enjoys youth activities at First United Methodist Church, and taking voice and ukulele lessons. She will play and sing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” as her talent. Look for Story in a sparkling coral-colored formal. Story’s grandmother and cousin were former Dairy Festival contestants.
Contestant #8 is LaMier Pryor, daughter of Leanetta Pryor. She is age 17, attends Sulphur Springs High School and loves cheerleading. Among her others interests are hip-hop dancing, drawing, writing poetry and singing. She will perform the song “Storm” by Mia Wright accompanied on guitar by Peyton Howard. After high school, LaMier plans to attend Blinn College, then transfer to Texas A and M to earn a Doctorate in Psychology. In the evening gown competition, she will wear a peach strapless formal.
Plan to attend the Dairy Festival Queen’s Pageant on Saturday June 18 at 8pm in the Hopkins County Civic Center auditorium in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Tickets are $7 advance and $10 at the door.
Business As Usual for Local Hospice Office As FBI Conducts Sealed Investigation of Company
It’s business as usual at Heart to Heart Hospice in Sulphur Springs. However, companywide the FBI is investigating the Plano-based hospice company under a sealed investigation. The local manager for Heart to Heart Hospice had no comment regarding the investigation when contacted by KSST News. She did say that the investigation is having no effect on quality of care given those served by the local office.
The company describes itself on its website as providing quality care and supportive services for people with life-limiting illnesses. An employee at the Carrollton location declined to comment, and messages left with the company headquarters have not been answered. A spokesperson for the Justice Department in Washington DC would only confirm that there is law enforcement activity in the area, the details of the investigation are under seal.
With 11 offices around the state in Sulphur Springs, Mt Pleasant, Longview, Tyler, Lufkin, Huntville, Austin, San, Marcos, Boerne, Beaumont, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Sherman, the hospice company served more than 11,000 patients in Texas last year. It is among the state’s largest hospice providers. Heart to Heart also has locations in Indiana and Michigan.
Most FBI investigations into a hospice company often centers on Medicare, Medicaid fraud. This is not the first investigation for Heart to Heart Hospice. In 2014, a Dallas woman Jada Necole Antoine, stole the identity of a registered nurse and used that identity to work at several Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area hospice companies including Heart to Heart. The woman fraudulently obtained employment as a registered nurse at Heart to Heart and Odyssey, Antoine had direct responsibility for patient care. She submitted documents to Heart to Heart and Odyssey that falsely indicated that care was provided to patients under her supervision by a registered nurse, namely the registered nurse whose identification she had stolen. Antoine’s false statements, theft of the victim’s identity, and other fraudulent activity caused Heart to Heart, Odyssey and other hospice agencies to submit false claims for, and obtain reimbursement from, Medicare and Medicaid for hospice services provided to Medicare beneficiaries and Medicaid clients. From approximately January 2009 through April 20, 2012, approximately $2.3 million in hospice claims were submitted to Medicare for services purportedly performed by Antoine while she was impersonating the victim registered nurse. Antoine received compensation of $5,077 from Heart to Heart and $49,851 from Odyssey.
The FBI is also investigating another North Texas hospice provider, Novus Health Services, based on allegations a company executive ordered nurses to give patients fatal doses of morphine and other dangerous drugs, court records show. Novus officials have denied those allegations, and the FBI has made no arrests in that case.
Trump Rally to be Held in Dallas Thursday
by Steven Payne
Hopkins County citizens have an opportunity for a short drive to hear the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, Donald Trump, who will be holding a rally tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Dallas, TX. The rally will be held at Gilley’s, a 92,000 square foot music and entertainment venue which sits close to the Dallas Police Department headquarters. While the rally is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., doors will open to supporters at 4 p.m. People wishing to register for tickets can do so online. A fundraiser for the Trump presidential campaign will also be held on the same afternoon, but the location of the fundraiser has not been revealed.
The Dallas PD is expecting protesters at the venue. Officers participated in riot training and drilling at Fair Park Wednesday morning. Nearly 500 officers, including mounted patrol, participated in the drill using riot gear, shields and smoke bombs. Other officers volunteered to act as mock protesters during the drill. An Anti-Trump Rally is scheduled to be held just outside of Gilley’s at 6 p.m.
The Danger Of The Zika Virus!
Zika Virus is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected mosquito. The symptoms of the Zika Virus include fever, joint pain, and red eyes also known as conjunctivitis. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by and infected mosquito. People don’t usually get sick enough to go to the hospital, and people can rarely die of Zika. This means not many people would be able to realize that they have been infected.
The Zika Virus can also be harsh for women pregnant with a child. During pregnancy the Zika Virus can cause serious birth defects to the child, known as microcephaly, along with other fetal brain defects.
Ways to prevent getting this horrible Zika Virus would be to wear insect spray that contains picaridin oil, lemon eucalyptus, and at least 20 percent DEET or IR3535 when traveling outdoors.You can also control the birth of mosquetos by not allowing standing water around your living enviroment. For Example: puddles, old water filled bird baths, and even drainage plates under your plants. Also people who travel to Mexico or Brazil can most likely catch this virus if not wearing the proper insect repellent. When traveling and when you have the Zika vVirus do not return to your home town because it will reduce the risk of spreading to your community.
Due to many cases of the Zika Virus in Brazil the powers behind The Olympics are deciding whether to relocate or cancel the Olympics for this year of 2016.
Texas County Diagnostics:
- Bexar- 6
- Collin- 2
- Dallas- 6
- Ellis- 1
- Fort Bend- 2
- Grayson- 1
- Harris- 13
- Tarrant- 4
- Travis- 2
- Val Verde- 1
- Williamson- 1
- Wise- 1
Total: 42 cases in Texas
All these diagnosed were travelers who were infected then returned home without being cured. The Texas Department of State Health Services is encouraging travelers to follow all safety precautions and all who might enter the outdoors.
Story and Photos by Molly Clegg, HS Intern
Tauck Journeys
Tauck tours is a perfect way to see the National Parks or other land tours around the United States. Although they have trips all over the world, they specialize in premium land tours in great areas of the U.S. One attractive trip that we have found is an 8 day trip highlighted below.
-
JOURNEY TYPE:
-
DAYS
8
-
FROM
$3,590
Traveling Well Includes:
- Insider stories about the national parks during filmed narratives by Ken Burns & Dayton Duncan
- Stays at sought-after inside-the-national-park accommodations in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks
- Rafting adventure along the Snake River, surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the Tetons
- Extensive exploration inside the world’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park
- Visits to the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Wild West rodeo or a performance of the Dan Miller Cowboy Music Revue in historic Cody
- Visits to the museums of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody for a comprehensive look at the history, culture, art and natural history of the West
- Authentic working ranch experience at the TA Guest Ranch in Buffalo, site of a historic 1892 standoff in the Johnson County War; experiences include a cookhouse lunch, a trail ride and a horse whisperer demonstration
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
- 17 meals (7 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 7 dinners), service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage
Email [email protected] for more details.
Winnsboro Police Department Report!
The Winnsboro Police Department had a very busy week between the days of June 6 and June 12.
On 6-6-2016 a 2005 Chevy pickup was pulling a trailer traveling East bound on Nichols Street when a 2014 Subaru backed out of a driveway without safety and striking the Chevy.
On 6-7-2016… A Ford F-250 was west bound on West Broadway in the 600 blk approaching S. Post Oak. Harley Davidson was east bound on West Broadway the 600 blk approaching South Postoak. Unit 1 non contact vehicle failed to yield the right of way turning left causing unit 2 to lay down his motorcycle on the roadway to keep from causing an accident.
On 6-10-2016… 2008 Kia was traveling North bound on South Main Street, attempting to turn into a private drive. 1998 GMC was following to closely and struck the Kia in the rear.
The Winnsboro Police Department Issued 59 citations and 55 warnings during the reporting period. Also responded to 177 calls for service.
Avila Sentenced to 20 Years for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
Jesus Avila, 39, of Saltillo was sentenced to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Wednesday morning in 8th Judicial District Court. Avila had appeared for a pre-trial hearing but made a plea bargain for the 20 years. He pled guilty to a first degree felony, Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child under the age of 14
Avila was arrested Saturday, March 12, 2016, for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child under the age of 14. Hopkins County Sheriff Deputies received a call from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office informing them that Avila, who was accompanied by a child, turned himself in on previous sexual assault incidents. Both Avila and the child voluntarily came to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed. During the interview, Avila admitted that he had sexually abused the victim for approximately 4 years. Deputies then placed Avila in custody and booked him into the Hopkins County Jail.
Avila had remained in Hopkins County jail after Justice of the Peace B.J. Teer set bond at $300,000 with a requirement for Avila to wear a GPS monitor if released on bail.
