For the Love of Nature and Everything Outdoors, Experience Cooper Lake State Park in February
February 1, 2024 – Cooper, Texas – Step away from the daily grind and embrace the love of nature at Cooper Lake State Park this February. Located in the heart of Northeast Texas, this natural gem offers a serene retreat for those yearning to recharge in the great outdoors. Whether you’re seeking to break free from the screen’s glare, work stressors and the strain of city life, or just eager for an adventure, Cooper Lake State Park is your gateway to exploration. With two unique parks encompassing over 3000+ acres of parklands and a 20,000-acre lake, you can engage in a host of activities designed to rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit. It’s the perfect spot for families and groups to gather, explore, and create lasting memories amidst nature’s backdrop.
Spending time outdoors, especially in the serene and natural settings provided by places like Cooper Lake State Park, has profound health and wellness benefits. Immersing oneself in nature is not just a breath of fresh air but a vital contributor to physical and mental health. Research has consistently shown that outdoor activities can significantly reduce stress, enhance problem solving, and improve mood and overall mental well-being. The natural sunlight, fresh air, and physical movement involved in exploring the outdoors, work together to boost energy levels, improve sleep, and increase vitamin D synthesis, which is essential for bone health and immune function. Moreover, the tranquil surroundings and scenic beauty of natural landscapes promote mindfulness and a sense of peace, helping individuals to disconnect from the digital world and the stresses of daily life. By participating in the programs at Cooper Lake State Park, visitors are not only engaging in enjoyable recreational activities and learning but also investing in their long-term health and wellness, fostering a deeper connection with nature and themselves.
In February 2024, Cooper Lake State Park will host a series of engaging programs at both the Doctors Creek and South Sulphur Units, designed to connect visitors with the natural world and inspire creativity. At Doctors Creek, the month kicks off on February 3rd with an early morning “Winter Birds of Cooper Lake State Park” walk, where enthusiasts can explore the shoreline and surrounding areas in search of varied bird species. The following week, on February 9th, the night sky will take center stage with a “Stargazing” event, complete with telescopes for planet viewing. The exploration continues on February 10th with the “Skins and Skulls” program, offering a closer look at local wildlife, and on February 17th, a “Guided Hike” will reveal the natural wonders of the park. Wrapping up the month on February 24th, “Art in the Park” invites budding artists to capture the beauty of the upcoming eclipse, with all supplies provided.
Over at South Sulphur, bird watchers can gather on February 3rd for a “Winter Birds” walk, this time exploring the area around Heron Harbor. Archery enthusiasts, both novices and experienced, are invited to join “Archery 101” on February 10th, with pre-registration required for this limited-space event. Another “Guided Hike” is scheduled for February 17th, promising more opportunities to immerse in the park’s natural beauty. The month concludes on February 24th with another “Art in the Park” session, once again focusing on the upcoming eclipse providing a creative outlet for all participants.
Each event is thoughtfully designed to encourage outdoor exploration and appreciation, offering something for everyone, from avid birders and stargazers to artists and hikers of all skill levels. Visitors are reminded to bring binoculars where applicable and dress appropriately for the quite variable February weather, ensuring a comfortable and enriching experience in the great outdoors.
All programs are free with your entrance permit. For more information on this or other events and programs at Cooper Lake State Park, please visit our Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website and also like our Facebook pages (Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur 903-945-5256 and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctors Creek 903-395-3100).
Doctors Creek
Saturday, February 3 – DC
Winter Birds of Cooper Lake State Park – 8:30 a.m. Meet at the South Loop Trailhead next to the Pelican Point Day Use Area. We’ll go on a walk around the shoreline, pocket prairie, and a day use area looking for varied birds. Bring your binoculars, and dress for the weather.
Friday, February 9 – DC
Stargazing – 7 p.m. meet at the Pelican Point Day Use Parking Lot. Join us as we explore the night sky. We’ll have telescopes out for viewing a planet or two. Bring your binoculars, and dress for the weather.
Saturday, February 10 – DC
Skins and Skulls – 2:30 p.m. Meet at Doctors Creek Headquarters – Get an inside look at a few of the local animals. Join us for a come-and-go program featuring the mammals of the park.
Saturday, February 17 – DC
Guided Hike – 10 a.m. Meet at the South Loop trailhead next to the Pelican Point Day Use Area – Join us on a guided hike to see the wonders of nature! Dress for the weather.
Saturday, February 24 —DC
Art in the Park – 10 a.m. Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion –
Calling all artists! The upcoming eclipse is our focus this month. All art supplies will be provided.
South Sulphur
Saturday, February 3 – SS
Winter Birds of Cooper Lake State Park – 11 a.m. Meet at Heron Harbor Day Use Area. We’ll go on a walk around the shoreline, grassy field and a day use area looking for varied birds. Bring your binoculars, and dress for the weather.
Saturday, February 10 – SS
Archery 101: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Meet at Buggy Whip Restroom. Registration is required, program limited to 12 participants.
No experience needed. Ages 10 and up. All equipment provided.
Reserve your spot by calling 903-945-5256 or email Alicia O’Connor Alicia.O’[email protected].
Saturday, February 17 — SS
Guided Hike – 1:30 p.m. Meet at Buggy Whip Equestrian trailhead – Join us on a guided hike to see the wonders of nature! Dress for the weather.
Saturday, February 24 – SS
Art in the Park – 1:30 p.m. Meet at Gulls Bluff Pavilion – Calling all artists! The upcoming eclipse is our focus this month. All art supplies provided.
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Soil Tests Can be Used to Help by Mario Villarino
Soil tests can be used to estimate the kinds and amounts of soil nutrients available to plants. They also can be used as aids in determining fertilizer needs. Properly conducted soil sampling and testing can be cost-effective indicators of the types and amounts of fertilizer and lime needed to improve crop yield.
The effects of adding a fertilizer often depend on the level of nutrients already present in the soil If a soil is very low in a particular nutrient, yield will probably be increased if that nutrient is added. By comparison, if the soil has high initial nutrient levels, fertilization will result in little, if any, increase in yield.
There are three steps involved in obtaining a soil test:
1) obtain sample bags and instructions,
2) collect composite samples,
3) select the proper test, and complete the information sheet and mail to the Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory at 2478 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2478 for U.S. mail or 2610 F&B Road, College Station, TX 77845 for commercial deliveries. Contact the lab at (979) 845-4816, FAX (979) 845-5958, or at the Web site http://soiltesting.tamu. edu for additional information.
Obtain sample bags and instructions. County Extension offices provide soil sample bags, sampling instructions and information sheets for mailing samples to the Soil, Water, and Forage Testing Laboratory of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Sample bags provided by the Extension service hold a sufficient amount of soil for use in most soil tests. Fill the sample bag or other suitable container with approximately 1 pint of a composite soil sample. Any suitable container can be used for the sample, but it is important to complete the information sheet and follow the instructions for collecting and mailing samples.
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].
What Issues are Important to You?
January 31, 2024 – What issues do you feel are of the highest importance for Sulphur Springs? Sulphur Springs City Council elections are coming up.
Here is a chance to anonymously voice your opinion and provide possible solutions. KSST has made a short Google Form to collect your thoughts and suggestions.
Click here to open the Google Form.
Voters Chose Dutton Over Money
Jill Dutton has narrowly defeated fellow Republican Brent Money in the special election runoff for a Texas House seat that marked an early flashpoint in the latest Texas GOP civil war.
Dutton’s win marks something of an upset after Money got the support of a who’s who of top Texas Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Attorney General Ken Paxton.
With all precincts reporting Tuesday night, Dutton was leading Money by 111 votes, or a margin of less than 1 percentage point, according to unofficial returns. Money reportedly conceded at his election night party in Greenville, while Dutton released a statement celebrating a “resounding victory for conservatives across this district.”
The two Republicans were vying to finish the term of expelled former state Rep. Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City. They will face one another again in the March 5 primary for the full term in the solidly red seat.
“While I’m excited to get to work for the people of HD 2, and while I look forward to being sworn into office in the coming days, this race is far from over,” Dutton said. “I look forward to earning your vote again in March.”
Money is a Greenville lawyer who previously served on the City Council there. Dutton is the former president of the Republican Women of Van Zandt and also was a Van ISD board trustee.
Unofficial Results of the Hopkins County Texas Runoff Election Have Been Reported
January 30, 2024 – According to the Hopkins County County Clerks Office, as of 9:04pm Tuesday, January 30, 2024, cumulative unofficial results from the Hopkins County, Texas, Special Runoff Election January 30, 2024, for State Representative, District Number 2, Unexpired Term, show that Jill Dutton (R) received 65 Absentee Votes, equaling 52.42% of the votes in that category, with Early Voting results giving her 547 of those votes, or 53.31%, and Election Day Voters giving her 627 votes, or 57.95% of the votes in that category. This unofficially gave Dutton, (R), a total of 1,239 of the votes, or 55.51% of the total votes.
Her opponent, Brent Money (R) received 47.58% of the Absentee Votes, at 59, and 479 Early Votes, equaling 46.69% of the votes in that category, according to Unofficial Results. Money, (R) appeared to have gotten 455 Election Day Votes, or 42.05% of that day’s votes, giving him a vote total of 993 Votes, equaling a Total of 44.49% of the total votes.
Stay tuned for further updates.
Project Talk: Conversations that Matter, a Discussion About End-of-Life Care to be Held February 17th
January 30, 2024 – Conversation Project event, talking about our wishes for our end-of-life care, with the Hospice Foundation of America and Penn State University Medical Center, will be held February 17th, 2024, from 10:00am to 1:00pm in the Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church. The community is welcome to join Pastor C. J. Duffey and Reverend Peter McNabb for this important conversation. Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided. Anyone over 18 years of age is welcome, but seating is limited. To reserve your seat or for more information, please call Nancy Rooks at 903-366-1616.
Greater Emmanuel MBC Celebrates Church Anniversary February 4, 2024
January 30, 2024 – Greater Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs will celebrate it’s Church Anniversary February 4th, 2024. The event will begin at 3:00pm. The special guest for the celebration will be Bishop Kerry Roy of True Gospel Ministries in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The church is located at 711 Fuller Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 75482. Reverend D. K. Young, Pastor. The public is invited.
Wood Ashes Can help Your Tomatoes From Master Gardener David Wall
January 29, 2024 – By saving fireplace or wood stove ashes this winter, you can use them in April to help grow bigger, better, and more productive tomato plants. Actually, wood ashes are very beneficial all over the vegetable garden. Besides raising the pH in overly acidic soils, wood ashes contain large amounts of calcium and potassium (potash), two nutrients tomato plants need in large quantities plus numerous other nutrients.
Calcium, for example, helps young tomato plants develop healthy cells and wall structure for strong stems and branches, and it also aids in successful germination of its blooms. Nearly 20% of a pile of ashes is made up of calcium.
Potassium, sometimes called potash. helps tomato plants absorb water, and a tomato is nearly 95% water. Potassium also aids photosynthesis, which helps tomato plants turn light into energy, that aid strong, healthy growth and more blooms. Wood ash also happens to contain magnesium, phosphorous and other trace nutrients that tomato plants love as well. Finally, ashes increase the soil’s ability to retain moisture.
The success is using ashes comes down to knowing when to apply them and in what quantity. One of the best times to use ashes is on planting day. Put 1.5 cups directly in your planting holes.
Placing your transplant deeper in the ground allow a better, faster root system to develop. Sprinkle some more around the planting hole. If you’ve ground your egg shells into powder, add two tablespoons to each hole. Finish by adding mulch around the plant.
To top dress, scatter about ½ a cup of ashes lightly around the base of each plant. Finish by mulching your tomato plants as you normally would with straw, shredded leaves or grass clippings. By putting the ash under the mulch, it will stay in place and do its job perfectly.
Paris Junior College Accreditation Renewed for Ten Years
January 29, 2024 – Just before the New Year, Paris Junior College received official news of reaffirmation of accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). PJC’s institutional accreditation was reaffirmed with no recommendations for improvement, an important feat.
“I am thrilled to announce that Paris Junior College has received reaffirmation from the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (SASCOC) with zero recommendations,” said Dr. Jerry King, PJC interim president. “This significant achievement is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff and administration to uphold the highest standards of academic quality and institutional effectiveness.””
Every ten years, colleges and universities in Texas must go through the reaffirmation process. In order to receive federal financial aid (Pell Grants) for students, institutions must be accredited. SACSCOC requires completion of a Compliance Certification Report (CCR), the development of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), off- and on-site peer reviews, and a Commission review.
The College’s CCR demonstrated PJC’s judgment of the extent to which it complies with each of the 75 SASCOC Core Requirements and Standards, and was reviewed by an off-site SACSCOC committee of peers.
PJC developed a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) aligned to the College’s strategic plans that enhances student learning. The College chose to focus on student mastery of basic skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, both for better success in class and in students’ future workplaces.
An on-site SACSCOC committee of peers came to PJC last fall to review the CCR and QEP proposal, then created a written report intended to help the College improve programs and refine the QEP. The report also aids the Commission in making its decision to reaffirm accreditation.
Accreditation is a form of self-regulation and quality assurance in higher education. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the recognized accrediting body for higher education institutions that award associate, baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral degrees in the 11 U.S. southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia), Latin America, and certain other international sites. Reaffirmation of accreditation requires the submission of a Fifth Year Interim Report (FYIR), decennial Compliance Certification Report (CCR), the development of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), off-site and on-site reviews, and review by Commission.
Paris Junior College’s no-finding reaccreditation was officially announced during the College Delegate Assembly Business Meeting as part of a report of accreditation and reaffirmation actions taken by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees. The report came as part of the SACSCOC annual meeting held in December 2023 in Orlando, Florida.
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.
Jake Wilson Memorial Amateur One-Day Open Bass Team Tournament Coming Up in April
January 29, 2024 – The 7th Annual Jake Wilson Memorial Amateur One-Day Open Bass Team Tournament will take place April 20, 2024. The event will be hosted by Minnow Bucket Marina on the world famous Lake Fork. Registration entries must be postmarked by April 15th. Two person entry fee is $160.00. There will be a free kid fishing event, on the shoreline, from 10:00am to Noon.
