Alexander Sentenced to TDCJ in Parole Violation
In Eighth Judicial District Court Thursday afternoon, Robert Mitchell Alexander, Jr was sentenced to seven (7) years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for Engaging in Organized Crime and two (2) years in prison for Assault Family Violence Impeding breathing and/or circulation. County Court at Law Judge Amy Smith pronounced the sentence in the place of District Judge Eddie Northcutt.
Alexander, who had been charged with engaging in organized crime in 2008, violated his probation and was also charged with committing family violence in 2015. He was arrested in January of this year on a bench warrant for violation of probation regarding both charges.
Herrera Sentenced in Indecency with a Child by Contact
24-year old Rene Herrera of Sulphur Springs received 10 years deferred sentence in a plea-bargain agreement made Thursday in Hopkins County’s Eighth Judicial District Court. Herrera had been charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child which was reduced to Indecency with a Child by Contact as a part of the plea bargain. As a result of the plea, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.
Lady Cats Regional Quarterfinal Game Tonight
softball
If the weather cooperates, there should be Lady Cats playoff softball tonight. The Lady Cats are scheduled to face Mansfield Legacy at 7 p.m. this evening in Royse City. This is the first game in a best two out of three series. Game two is scheduled for tomorrow night at 6 p.m. in Royse City with game three, if necessary, to follow game two. Legacy went undefeated through their district and they have lost only 4 games all season long. The Lady Cats also have a sterling record as they are 29-6 for the season.
Legacy defeated Dallas Samuell and Mt. Pleasant to get to this regional quarterfinal game while the Lady Cats have downed Corsicana and Waxahachie. The Lady Cats and Legacy also met in a regional quarterfinal game three years ago with the Lady Mustangs taking a 4-2 win. That game was also at Royse City.
We’ll bring you all of the playoff action tonight from Royse City beginning at around 7 p.m. as the Lady Cats play Mansfield Legacy. We’ll also videotape the game for replay at a later date on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable.
HCMH Celebrates National Hospital Week
A hospital is more than a place where people go to heal, it is a part of the community that fosters health and represents hope. From providing treatment and comfort to the sick, to welcoming new life into the world, hospitals are central to a healthy and optimistic community. That’s the message organizers are touting with the 2016 National Hospital Week theme “Health Care from the Heart.”
“National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” Michael McAndrew, CEO of Memorial Hospital and Clinic said. “We’re extremely proud of each member of our staff and we recognize the important role they play in extending a sense of trust to our patients and our communities.”
Events for National Hospital Week and Nurses’ Week.
In honor of National Nurses’ Day, the nursing staff was treated to an evening of food, fun and fellowship at Arturo’s Wood Fired Pizza Gallery.
The annual health and wellness fair was held and all employees were encouraged to participate.
An employee appreciation dinner was held on Tuesday, May 10th for the hospital evening shift.
An employee appreciation luncheon was held on Wednesday, May 11th in The Gardens at Memorial. Memorial Hospital and Clinic managers and friends from Alliance Bank served BBQ from Bodacious. The food was provided by Memorial Hospital and Clinic Administration and Board of Directors. In conjunction with the picnic the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation held their annual cake walk to raise funds for use by the foundation to benefit the hospital.
Friday, the annual “5 Star Performance” featuring employees of both the hospital and clinic is held.
Sewer Line Completion Will Speed Work on Bill Bradford Road, Aid Development on Broadway
Work on Bill Bradford Road should increase speed now that the work on a new sewer line behind Chili’s, Whataburger, McDonalds, and one half of the apartments on Duckworth Street has been completed. The new sewer line will open new properties for development which will in turn increase tax revenues for the city, according to City Manager Marc Maxwell. The increased speed of work on Bill Bradford Road will be welcomed by many.
The new sewer line relieves the stress of use on a sewer line from Duckworth to Mockingbird. The new sewer line was the only remedy to the problem. Maxwell said no developer wanted to include the improvement in their costs. The city spent $130,000 dollars on the improvement. He expects development to begin soon on some properties now served by the new line.
On Bill Bradford Road, water lines have been completed from Broadway to Elm and now crews will double back and begin work on the sewer line in that segment. He stated that street work will begin as soon as segments of the sewer line are laid.
Maxwell expects work to move more quickly also with the National Weather Service recent statement that drier conditions can be expected this summer.
SCU Marijuana Bust Leads To More Problems For Sulphur Springs Man
Kelvin Dionn Harrison, 47, of Sulphur Springs was arrested Wednesday morning by Special Crimes Unit Detective Sergeant Tony Crouse on three charges. A caller, who asked to remain anonymous, informed Sgt. Crouse of suspicious activity taking place at an East Beckham Street residence. During an investigation of the property, Sgt. Crouse noticed from the street that marijuana plants were being grown outside the residence in plain view allowing for a probable cause search of the home to be conducted at which time it was discovered that Harrison was also growing marijuana inside the hot water heater closet. Sgt. Crouse also located cocaine above a kitchen cabinet as well as a gun that was stolen during a previous burglary in Hopkins County. Harrison was then taken into custody and transported to the Hopkins County Jail where he now sits on $27,000 total bond: $15,000 for a 3rd degree felony Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 1 gram in a Drug Free Zone, $10,000 for Possession of Marijuana less than 2 ounces in a Drug Free Zone, and $2,000 for a State Jail felony Theft of a Firearm.
Lawn Damage and White Grubs
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
by Mario Villarino
Our recent intensive rains not only affect our hay farmers. Your lawn might be also become affected by diseases due to the intensive and prolong water and moisture. From typical “take- all” fungal to fire ants and white grubs can all be culprit due to the amount of water displacing air forcing insects to come out seeking air.
A common culprit of lawn damage are white grubs. White grub damage can be easily be confused with fungal diseases in lawns.White grubs are the immature stages of May or June beetles, commonly called “June bugs.” There are more than 90 species of scarab beetles in Texas that are considered to be white grubs or May and June beetles. Their biologies are similar, but they differ in distribution, habitat preference, length of life cycle and seasonal occurrence. Common white grub species belong to the genus Phyllophaga, with P. crinita being particularly common in Texas on bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass and tall fescue. The southern masked chafer and the green June beetle are other species within the white grub group. The Japanese beetle has recently been detected in some Texas counties.
White grubs are whitish, C-shaped larvae (up to 1-inch long) with brown head capsules and chewing mouthparts. They have three pairs of legs (one pair on each of the first three segments behind the head); this separates them from larval hunting billbugs (weevils), which they otherwise superficially resemble.White grubs feed on the roots of many plants including turfgrasses, weeds, vegetable transplants and ornamentals. Larvae develop mainly during the fall and spring. During extreme environmental conditions (cold, drought), the larvae burrow deeper into the soil. In Texas pupation occurs mainly during the spring. Severely damaged turfgrass dies and can be rolled up like a carpet because of the lack of roots. Heavily infested lawns are attractive to moles, raccoons, skunks and armadillos, which dig through the surface to feed on the grubs.
Adults of many May and June beetle species begin emerging in February. However, peak emergence of turf-infesting species usually occurs during late June in central Texas, somewhat earlier in South Texas and later in North Texas. Peak adult emergence is important because approximately 5 weeks later eggs laid by mated females will hatch. This is the best time for insecticide treatment to prevent white grub damage where there is a history of white grub problems. Insecticides are most effective when the turf is watered thoroughly just before and after treatment. Turfgrasses that are highly fertilized and frequently watered have a thick thatch layer and/or are grown in highly organic soils are most vulnerable to attack. The need for insecticide treatments also can be determined by sampling for white grubs. One proposed action level is four grubs per square foot. Applying insecticide while white grubs still are small prevents unnecessary damage to turf and increases the chances that the chemical will be effective in controlling the grubs.
Master Wellness Volunteer Program
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]
Master Wellness Volunteer Program
Did you know that Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers contributed 55 hours of volunteer service in April? From helping with Kids’ Safe Saturday to Kids’ Camp planning, from assisting with the Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes series to helping distribute educational information at the Region 8 Education Service Center Parent Fair, our certified volunteers have helped make an impact!
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.
The Master Wellness Volunteer Initiative is an AgriLife Extension program that provides 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 a key factor.
Nell Shipp, long-time volunteer, is perhaps the most “seasoned” volunteer, and she always provides a smile and a hug! She was recognized in 2014 as the Outstanding Extension Volunteer of the Year at our annual Extension Leadership Banquet. Nell took the very first training offered in Hopkins County (2007), and has not slowed down one bit!
Volunteer training for the next program will be held in January and February, 2017, in five sessions (one day a week for five weeks). Tentative dates are on Mondays, January 30, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2017. The training will focus on physical activity, nutrition, food safety and food demonstrations, child health, various AgriLife Extension health programs, and more. The first and last training days will be face-to-face, with the other sessions being offered face-to-face or on-line, whichever is most convenient to participants.
If you are undecided about taking the training, but would be interested in learning more, put this date on your calendar: Thursday, July 21, 2016. A regional Master Wellness Volunteer Conference will be held at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension & Research Center, in Dallas. I will be taking a carload of current volunteers and invite anyone else who would like to attend. The conference will be from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m. Contact my office at 903-885-3443 for more information!
Twogether in Texas Marriage Education – Last Call!
As of this writing, five couples have signed up for the Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop, scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. That’s a good group, but we have room for more! This workshop has had great reviews, and the price can’t be beat – free! Topics covered are: Marriage Expectations, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Money Management, and Goals & Dreams. Video, couple interactions, and group discussions are all part of the workshop.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and perhaps the best advantage is the great information couples receive. Engaged couples have an added advantage of saving $60 when applying for a marriage license.
Whether engaged, seriously dating, or married, all couples are invited to participate. To sign up, simply call my office at 903-885-3443. For more information, go to www.twogetherintexas.com.
Closing Thought
“The difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’ is like eggs and ham for breakfast: the chicken was involved, the pig was committed” – unknown
Animal of the Week: Peanut the Pit
Peanut with Officer Blanch
Peanut is a female Pit Bull puppy who is only five weeks old. She was signed over and given to the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter by the Police. “The Sheriff’s Office arrested somebody who apparently is not getting out of jail, so we got him to sign the dog over so we can find her another home,” Animal Shelter Officer Barbi Blanch said. “He couldn’t get any family members to come get her.”
The Police originally believed Peanut to be a male when handing her over to the Shelter. It wasn’t until after she was named that the Shelter discovered the mistake. She is currently too young to receive any vaccinations until next week. “She is a little playful, but she’s a little shy,” Officer Barbi said. “It’s a whole new world for her and all of the noises in the Shelter scare her.”
She is currently being kept in an open cat cage due to her small size and lack of vaccinations until next week. “Other than keeping her away from other animals, you have to be very careful where you set her down because she can be easily exposed to Parvo at her young age,” Officer Blanch said.
She will be involved in the off-site adoptions at Atwoods this Saturday, May 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Shelter will be open during that time from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
