Annual Hay Clinic is March 30th
by Mario Villarino
As our winter season starts dwindling into spring, our pastures and hay meadows must be getting for the spring and summer hay season. Depending on the farmer plan our hay schedules are mainly divided in a fall-winter cycle and a spring-summer cycle. The fall-winter cycle relies on winter crops, mainly rye grass and a short crop before or wheat and oats. The rye grass crop picks during February and March and must be completely harvested before then Bermuda grass gets out from dormancy (April or May depending on weather) to avoid shading the spring cycle. The spring cycle is mainly based on Bermuda grass and its different varieties.
To further discuss our spring-summer hay cycle, the Hopkins County Extension Office in conjunction with Holt Agribusiness will be participating on the Holt Agribusiness Annual Hay Clinic March 30, 2016 at 1109 w. industrial drive from 9:00 to 2:00 PM. The topics of the Hay Clinic will be my discussion on soil fertility and the role of soil pH in weed management, Wild pig damage and control with Billy Higginbotham, wildlife specialist from Texas AgriLife Extension in Overton, Texas, a complementary lunch sponsored by Holt Agribusiness and a discussion in forage varieties for Northeast Texas by Vanessa Olsen, forage specialist from Texas AgriLife Extension in Overton, Texas. We hope to discuss several hay alternative methods during this session and I have invited hay producers to come and share their experiences with some of the innovative methods implemented during last year. Three CEU’s for private applicators will be granted. Attendees must register by calling 903-439-3007 by March 25, 2016. Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service or accommodation in order to participate in this activity are encouraged to contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 for assistance by March 25, 2016. Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Court of Texas Cooperating.
For more information please call the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Business History Month: Bright Star Floors
Mike Miller opened Bright Star Floors nine years ago in a great business location along Interstate 30 East in Sulphur Springs. Mike possessed three decades of experience in the flooring installation business when he opened his doors, and that experience lends a priceless value to the customer who is considering a flooring decision. Today’s new products are the best ever offered because the technology is constantly improving, yet there are important factors to be considered besides color preference and pattern. That’s where Mike’s expertise and customer solutions come into play.
His career began in 1980 as a carpet and vinyl installer for Home Construction Company owners Gene Watson and Tim Kelty, as well as for Home Lumber Company owner Clovis Fox. For the next 25 years, he served as store manager for Discount Floors owned by Doc Groves and later Larry White, and flooring department manager at Foxworth Galbraith in Sulphur Springs. When the business closed its doors, Miller decided to own his own business instead of working for another.
Mike Miller is currently the sole owner of Bright Star Floors. He offers high quality carpeting, ceramic tile, wood laminates and the newest flooring choices available on the market. As well as floors, Miller does shower and backsplash tiling. His estimates are free, and he hires the best contractors and carpet crews from the local area. His floors are seen in businesses, churches, banks, offices and homes throughout the area.
He believes in giving customers the kind of value and support that he appreciates as a consumer himself, and works to provide guaranteed customer satisfaction with his product. Visit Bright Star Floors at 401 East Industrial Drive.
Monday through Friday 8:30-5 and Saturdays til noon.
Phone: (903) 885-7913
Email: [email protected]
Primary Runoff; Municipal Election On Horizon
One election has just ended and another will begin soon. In fact, more than one election is on tap.
For the Sulphur Springs School Board and Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board, no election will be held. Those races were no race since only incumbents filed… except for one seat on the hospital board where on one filed. That place will be filled by law by appointment of the board.
However, for the City of Sulphur Springs, there will be an election May 7th. For City Council Place 4, Charles G. Oxford will appear first on the ballot followed by incumbent Freddie Taylor. In the Place 5 race, incumbent and present Mayor Pro-tem Emily Glass will be first followed by Jimmy Lucas. Early voting in the city election will begin April 25th and be conducted Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through May 3rd. Early voting will be conducted at the Municipal Building, 201 North Davis Street. Tuesday, April 26th and Thursday, April 28th will allow voters to cast ballots from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. as mandated by Texas House Bill 2309. Application for ballot by mail may be made to Gale Roberts, 125 South Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Application for mail ballots must be made by April 26th.
The Republican and Democrat Primary Runoff election is May 24th, with early voting beginning May 16th and ending May 20th. Early voting will take place at the SSISD Administrative Board Room on Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. Hours for primary runoff early voting are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. Polling places will be consolidated for the Primary Runoff. Only five (5) polling places will be open on May 24th. Those five include Wesley United Methodist Church, VFW, the County Courthouse, League Street Church of Christ, and Miller Grove ISD. Both Republicans and Democrats will vote at these locations only.
The Miller Grove polling place will be open due to the Commissioner Precinct 1 runoff between Maci Mattison Newsom and Mickey Barker. Miller Grove is also the only rural school where senior graduation will not affect the primary runoff.
Other primary runoff votes will be cast in both the Republican and Democrat Railroad Commissioner races, two Republican Primary Court of Criminal Appeals (Place 2 and Place 5), and in the Republican runoff for State Board of Education Place 9.
On May 24th, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Sulphur Springs Municipal Judge Rogers Retires
“The last 13 years have been a real eye-opener for me,” said Phyllis Rogers retiring Sulphur Springs Municipal Judge. Rogers said the work was totally different from any legal work she has ever done. Rogers will retire at the end of March when she and her husband will move to Nacogdoches to be geographically closer to family.
Rogers’ court hears all Class-C misdemeanors in city arrests, indigent dockets, juvenile dockets, all traffic violations, conducts pre-trials, jury trials, and non-jury trials. She stated that being fair is the great responsibility of her office. She also goes to the jail seven (7) days per week to hold magistrate hearings. Her court hears over 900 cases each year.
Rogers began her career in law with Smith, Johnson, and McDowell. After time in real estate law and life in Dallas, her family returned to Sulphur Springs where she worked with District Attorney Frank Long. She then worked at the private practice of Powers and Blount. When Dusty Rabe became County Attorney, she moved to that office. Having worked with felony law, she finds herself very comfortable with Class C misdemeanors. She continued her education through continuing education courses.
The City of Sulphur Springs has an associate judge under contract which will allow the city time to seek the next municipal judge.
Dixon Jury Views Videos of CPS Forensic Interview
In what Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison called a bit unusual, an agreement between the prosecution and the defense was reached to play the video of the Child Protective Services Forensic interview with the children who made an outcry that led to the arrest, indictment, and now trial of Hunter James Dixon in Eight Judicial District Court Tuesday. Most of the day was spent with the jury viewing the video and the questioning of the CPS expert. Before the afternoon ended, Harrison expected to conclude the prosecution’s case by calling members of law enforcement for testimony as well. It is expected that testimony in the case will end Wednesday.
Monday afternoon, Harrison had called as witnesses those whom he called key relationships to Dixon that were involved in the case. Harrison had diagrammed for the jury the relationships of Dixon to his sister, his parents, to the father of the children who made the outcry, and others.
Harrison is following his step by step plan described Monday in opening arguments to the jury. He said that witnesses for the prosecution would include social workers, law enforcement officers. Law enforcement officers testified that Dixon made a confession that was not coerced. The confession made in May, 2015 followed an approximate 45 minute interrogation when Dixon also provided information that was not requested by interrogators.
Defense Attorney Frank Long is expected to call his first witness Wednesday morning.
Lady Cats Golf Finishes Second in Tourney
The Lady Cats Golf Team finished second Monday at a tournament at Twins Lakes Golf Course in Canton sponsored by Martin’s Mill. The Lady Cats shot a team total of 434. The Lady Cats were led by Alissa Sotelo with 100. Jessie Ash shot 104, Morgan Landers had 113 and Emma Lane 117. Lady Cats Golf Coach Chris Owens said he was glad they got the tournament in. It was postponed due to rain last year. He said he had hoped his team would shoot better but he said the strong wind made conditions tough.
Coach Owens added Twin Lakes is a tough, long course with lots of sand and water on it. Next Monday the Lady Cats will be playing at the Hide-A-Way Lake course in Lindale.
Wildcats Golf Won Twin Lakes Tournament
The Wildcats Golf Team won a tournament at Twin Lakes Golf Course in Canton Monday. Wildcats Golf Coach Ross Funk said his team shot a 315 score. He called it a good day on a tough golf course in windy conditions. One highlight for the Wildcats was Alex Motes’ first hole in one that he got on the ninth hole. Brody Blackmon finished second in the tournament.
The Wildcats have played a lot of golf recently. They also played 54 holes at the Twisted 54 Tournament in Longview last Friday and Saturday. They played 36 holes on Friday and another 18 Saturday. Coach Funk said Blackmon won the Twisted 54 Tournament. He added the team got off to a bad start and was ninth after the first round Friday. They improved to seventh place after the second round Friday and then wound up in fourth place for the tournament.
Coach Funk said he would be taking some of his team to a tournament in Lindale next Tuesday. Several team members will be unavailable next week as they will be taking family trips during spring break.
Traffic Stop Leads To More Woes For Sulphur Springs Woman
Recently released from Hopkins County Jail after posting bail for multiple charges, Katelin Leann Gumpert, 24, was arrested Monday night as a result of yet another routine traffic stop. The stop occurred around the 300 block of Church Street shortly after 7 p.m. Monday when officers learned of two warrants out for Gumpert that were issued by the Special Crimes Unit.
Gumpert was wanted for Possession of Controlled Substance greater than 1 gram and less than 4 grams in a Drug Free Zone and Possession of Controlled Substance less than 1 gram in a Drug Free Zone. Sulphur Springs Police Department Investigator Mark Estes and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Tony Crouse arrested Gumpert and transported her to the Hopkins County Jail.
Gumpert sits on $60,000 total bond with $40,000 for Possession of a Controlled Substance greater than 1 gram and $20,000 for Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 1 gram. Friday, March 5th, Gumpert posted bail totaling $40,000 for previous charges that led to her arrest during a traffic stop on March 4th: $20,000 for Abandonment and Endangerment of a Child, $10,000 for Delivery and Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance, and $10,000 for Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 1 gram.
Reed, Elliot to Retire; Parents Address SSISD School Board
SSISD
Two parents addressed the Sulphur Springs School Board in support of their children’s teacher during Public Forum at Monday night’s March board meeting. Lindsay Barton spoke in support of her son’s teacher and Denise Campbell addressed the board in support of her daughter’s teacher. Both children are autistic. Both parents praised their child’s teacher for loving their job and loving the children in the classroom. Ms. Barton stated that her son did not want to go to school on days when his teacher would be absent and could not express his feelings regarding any long term absence of his teacher. Both parents were in tears as they concluded their emotional support for the teacher. The board could not respond to the parents according to rules that govern the public forum time.
Two major forces in the life of SSISD are retiring. Randy Reed, Assistant Superintendent and Rickie Elliot, Director of Food Services are retiring at the end of the school year. Both have been with the district for many years and have secured improved life for the district during their terms of service. (Other Resignations and retires found below.)
Chris Clements, with Tandum Consulting told the board that work on the civic center auditorium is moving briskly. Electrical work is nearing completion as service to the building has been completed. Waterproofing on the east side of the building was accomplished thanks to weather that cooperated. The theatrical lighting gear is arriving and will soon be in place and the property room is finding form with foundation completed and structural frames being erected.
The board canceled the May 7th election declaring unopposed candidates John Prickettee, Leesa Toliver, and Kerry Wright elected to new 3-year terms, effective May 1st.
Contract extensions of one-year were recommended for professional certified instructional administrative personnel and administrative support services personnel currently employed.
Other retirements include Patricia Clement VI Teacher/OM Specialist in Special Services, Betty Lawson Principal at Travis, Kathleen McDonald Education Specialist at ECLC, Sheila Rorie Second Grade Teacher at Lamar, DeLana Huffines Secretary at Douglas Intermediate, Robbie Horton PE/Coach at Middle School, Dorothy Pace Food Services Manager at the high school.
Laura Cleveland resigned as Special Education at Bowie.
New personnel hired include Jaimie Hale Special Education Aide at ECLC, Alma Ramirez ESL Aide at Bowie, and Chelby Murrary Special Education Aide at Middle School.
Ahh, Spring is in the Air! Time for Weddings! by Johanna Hicks
Ahh, Spring is in the Air! Time for Weddings!
If you are the least bit familiar with my educational programming, you are aware that marriage education and diabetes education are a few of my favorite things! (I also like raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, but that’s another song!)
I’ve received good response for the 2016 spring Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes series thus far, and want to encourage anyone who is interested in attending to contact my office. These sessions do not take the place of a physician’s visit, but they do provide valuable information on managing diabetes. The series information is based on and approved by the American Diabetes Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and includes both nutrition and diabetes self-management topics. Although the series is targeted toward people with type 2 diabetes, those with type 1 or pre-diabetes also benefit from the information provided. The sessions will take place at the Extension Office, from1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on April 4, 7, 11, 14, and 18. A one-time fee of $25, payable at the first session, covers materials, refreshments, door prizes, and more. Give us a call at 903-885-3443, or go to http://hopkins.agrilife.org
and click on “events” and we’ll give you more information.
Now, on to my other favorite thing – marriage education! Each week in the local newspaper, I notice several couples who have applied for a marriage license and could have saved $60! Not only that, but they could have received valuable information and skills to put their marriages on strong footing. The Twogether in Texas marriage education workshop is offered for engaged, married, or seriously dating couples. Upon completion of the workshop, engaged couples receive a certificate to take to the County Clerk’s office to receive a $60 savings when applying for a marriage license. The certificate is good for one year, so even couples who are not planning to get married until later in the year or early 2017 may still take advantage of the upcoming workshop.
The next Twogether in Texas workshop is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B. W. Houston, Sulphur Springs. I will cover marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals & dreams. Videos, group discussion, couple interaction, and hands-on activities will keep the workshop interesting. We’ll have plenty of coffee, water, refreshments, and lunch. There is NO CHARGE for the workshop. The state of Texas recognizes the importance of marriage education on the well-being of families and communities, thus the $60 savings when applying for a marriage license. Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up.
Hopkins County 4-H’ers Excel
Now that the dust has settled from the recent NETLA Junior Market Show (literally!), we want to recognize an entirely different area of 4-H involvement. County 4-H Roundup contests were held recently as an opportunity for our Hopkins County 4-H members to showcase their project work. Educational presentations, public speaking, food show and fashion show contests involved 21 Hopkins County 4-H’ers. Most will advance to District 4-H contests to be held at Texas A&M –Commerce, on April 15 and 16. The local contests provide excellent experience in speaking in front of a group and/or going through an interview process. Those participating and advancing to district are:
Educational presentations: Senior – Pilar Ortiz, Health (Childhood Overweight);Intermediates – Elida Miller, Public Speaking; Adam Johnson, Open (Types of Bows); Honesty Bridges, Ag/Natural Resources-Open (Alternative Types of Energy); Juniors – Judah VanRijn, Horse (Use of Essential Oils in Horses); Alexis Villarino, Ag/Natural Resources (Owls); Christian Ebel, Open (Hydraulic Jacks); Zia Miller, Promote 4-H; Eric Bridges, FCS Open (Food Chain).
Food Show: Senior – Aleigh Bessonett, Fruits & Vegetables; Intermediate – Jorja Bessonett, Dairy; Juniors – Jolie Sweat, Fruits & Vegetables; Clover Kid (not eligible for District due to age, but still deserving of recognition!), P.J. VanRijn, Dairy.
Fashion Show: Senior – Aleigh Bessonett, Buying, Semi-formal to formal; Intermediate – Jorja Bessonett, Construction, Everyday Living; Juniors – Judah VanRijn, Construction, semi-formal to formal; Kami White, Construction, Everyday Living
Intermediate, Savannah Allen also plans to participate in District Educational Presentations after giving her Beef demonstrations to our staff. Junior, Ethan George plans to participate on the district level in Educational Presentations (Beef), Food Show (Grains), and Fashion Show (Buying, Special Interest).
First-time high point individuals (“rookies”) in each contest were: Christian Ebel, Educational Presentations; Jolie Sweat, Food Show; and Kami White, Fashion Show. Thanks to Sulphur Springs Dodge for sponsoring prizes for these individuals! We look forward to reporting the results of the district contests next month! Until then, if you see any of these 4-H members, congratulate them for a job well done!
Closing Thought
Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it – Andy Rooney
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]
