Ag Commissioner Miller Touts Texas’s Farm to School and Farm to Food Bank Programs
March 14, 2025 – “I recognize that the USDA’s budget cuts are intended to eliminate fraud, abuse, and waste. However, even well-functioning programs that deliver real results are undergoing reviews to ensure fairness. These changes also provide an opportunity for states to assume greater responsibility in shaping their own programs.
Texas and the Texas Department of Agriculture do not depend on this funding to maintain a strong program. We’ve been at the forefront for years, developing sustainable initiatives. Texas will continue to effectively operate successful Farm to School and Farm to Food Bank programs. Eighty-eight percent of Texas child nutrition programs purchase local foods, and prior to this grant, over $257.8 million was spent by Texas schools on local foods.
I support a fair and consistent approach, which is precisely what the Trump Administration is implementing. This is not a final decision—it’s a reassessment. There’s always room for refinement, and we may see a revised version of the policy down the road that is even better for agriculture producers.
I want to thank our farmers and ranchers, local food banks, school nutrition departments, and Farm Fresh Network members for their dedication to providing fresh, nutritious meals to Texas students and families. Your hard work is building a healthier, more sustainable future for our state.”
Have Hummingbirds Arrived at Your Feeder Yet?
March 14, 2025 – Hummingbirds are expected to arrive in Hopkins County, Texas, in mid to late March as they migrate north for the spring and summer seasons. The first arrivals are typically ruby-throated hummingbirds, which travel from their wintering grounds in Central America and Mexico. These tiny birds follow the blooming of flowers and warmer temperatures, seeking nectar and insects to fuel their journey.
To make hummingbird nectar, mix 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water. Heat until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool completely. Do not add red dye or honey, as they can harm birds. Fill clean feeders with the nectar and change it every few days to prevent spoilage.
Weather conditions and food availability play a significant role in their migration timing. A mild winter and early spring blooms can bring hummingbirds earlier, while cooler temperatures may delay their arrival. Birdwatchers in Hopkins County can attract these vibrant visitors by putting out nectar feeders filled with a simple mixture of four parts water to one part sugar. Keeping feeders clean and providing native flowers such as salvia, trumpet vine, and bee balm can help sustain hummingbirds throughout the season.
By April, more hummingbirds should be seen across Northeast Texas as migration peaks. These fascinating birds will remain in the area through the summer before heading south again in the fall. Watching for the first arrivals has become a beloved spring tradition for many Texans, signaling the change of seasons and the return of these energetic pollinators.
Texas Association of Business Calls for Extension of Research and Development Tax Credits
New study finds extension would create thousands of jobs and generate billions in economic output over next decade
March 14, 2025 – AUSTIN, TEXAS – Today, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) called on Texas lawmakers to approve an extension of research and development (R&D) tax credits. These credits are responsible for massive economic growth and an extension would create thousands of jobs and generate billions in economic output over the next decade, according to a new study published by Texans for Innovation. The current R&D tax credit is set to expire in 2026 if not reauthorized by the Texas Legislature. This would be a devastating loss for the business community and our state’s economic potential.
Legislation filed this week – SB 2206 by Senators Paul Bettencourt and Joan Huffman and HB 4393 by Representative Charlie Geren – would offer a Franchise Tax credit for qualified research expenses that will encourage R&D investment across the state.
TAB President & CEO Glenn Hamer applauded the legislators for addressing the need to extend the expiring credits:
“With key R&D incentives set to expire, Texas risks losing ground to other states in research and development spending. Extending these incentives is critical to attracting high-tech industries, creating jobs, and maintaining Texas’ position as a national leader in technology and innovation. Ensuring long-term support for R&D strengthens our economy, workforce, and overall competitiveness.”
Members of Texans for Innovation include the Texas Association of Business, Texas Association of Manufacturers, Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, Texas Chemistry Council, Texas Oil & Gas Association, Texas Economic Development Council, Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greater Houston Partnership, North Texas Commission, Opportunity Austin, and Lockheed Martin.
Ag Commissioner Miller Applauds Trump Administration Proposed Rewrite of EPA’s WOTUS
March 14, 2025 – “The Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule has long been a thorn in the side of rural America. But now, President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are taking decisive action for the American people. Not only have they reclaimed $20 billion of taxpayer money from the Biden administration’s radical climate agenda, but they aim to finally narrow the scope of WOTUS in alignment with the recent Sackett v. EPA ruling—a major victory for rural communities.
For over a decade, I have been fighting for the rights of farmers and ranchers on this issue. Our concerns have often been misrepresented. It’s not that we oppose conservation—quite the opposite. Farmers and ranchers are the most dedicated stewards of the land because their livelihoods depend on its preservation. What we oppose is the ever-changing interpretation of WOTUS, which has led to federal overreach and regulatory abuse under both the Obama and Biden administrations. Agriculture depends on clean water, but we need WOTUS to be clear, fair, and equitable for rural communities.
I applaud President Trump for once again working to rein in WOTUS overreach and commend Lee Zeldin for his efforts to end the constant flip-flopping on this rule. It’s time for common sense to prevail. I look forward to the EPA’s updated WOTUS ruling, which will finally put an end to this bureaucratic overreach once and for all.”
Attorney General Paxton Announces Investigation into Dallas for Open Borders Sanctuary City Policies that Violate State Law
March 14, 2025 – Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation and issued a formal request for records from the City of Dallas concerning the Dallas Police Department’s refusal to comply with state and federal immigration laws.
Recently, Dallas Interim Police Chief Michael Igo said that “[t]he Dallas Police Department is not assisting any federal agency on detaining people that are either documented or undocumented in the City of Dallas.” This assertion raises serious concerns that the City of Dallas and its police department may be violating Texas law, which prohibits local entities from adopting sanctuary city policies that limit immigration enforcement.
The Office of the Attorney General has formally requested all policies, training materials, and communications related to Dallas’s enforcement or non-enforcement of immigration laws, including any records reflecting decisions to decline cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
“The law is not optional. Local governments do not have the authority to disregard state and federal immigration laws,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The people of Texas expect law enforcement agencies to uphold public safety, not to implement sanctuary policies that put our communities at risk. My office will take all necessary legal actions to ensure compliance with state law and hold accountable any local entity that defies its legal obligations.”
Measles Outbreak Hits Close to Home
March 14, 2025 – Four confirmed cases of the measles have been reported by the Paris-Lamar County Health District. The instances of measles were in persons from 5-months-old to adult age.
The Paris-Lamar County Health District says the four people are unvaccinated against the measles and came to Lamar County from Gaines County in West Texas during their recent measles outbreak.
The Health District is actively investigating the cases with the help of the Texas Department of State Health Services. They are working to contact people who were potentially exposed to the measles and warned that more cases of the “highly contagious” disease may occur, especially among those who haven’t been vaccinated against it.
Officials say that symptoms of the measles include the following conditions:
- High fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- And a rash, typically starting on the face and spreading downward 2 to 5 days after initial symptoms.
The health district says anyone exposed or experiencing symptoms should isolate themselves immediately and contact their healthcare provider to arrange testing in a safe manner.
Those infected can spread the disease four days before and four days after getting the measles rash.
The measles vaccine becomes 93% effective 10-14 days after the first dose, and offers full protection after second dose is given 4-6 weeks after first dose.
Governor Abbott Activates Additional State Emergency Response Resources For Extremely Critical Wildfire Danger
March 14, 2025 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott today announced that he directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional state emergency response resources in anticipation of extremely critical wildfire danger expected across West Texas and ongoing elevated-to-critical fire weather conditions across most of the state into the weekend.
“The State of Texas continues to monitor the heightened wildfire threats that are impacting large portions of the state,” said Governor Abbott. “Due to the unpredictable nature of wildfires, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to ready additional emergency response resources to assist local communities with any wildfire outbreaks. With dry conditions, wind gusts, and low humidity increasing wildfire danger, Texans are encouraged to make an emergency plan, limit any activities that can cause a spark, and heed the guidance of local officials to keep yourself and your family safe.”
According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, dry surface fuels, very strong wind gusts, and low humidity will continue to support increased wildfire danger across nearly all of the state, with extremely critical wildfire danger expected in areas including the High Plains, South Plains, Permian Basin, Big Country, Texoma, Metroplex, and Hill Country. High winds could promote large wind-driven fires with high resistance to control.
The Texas A&M Forest Service is monitoring conditions for the potential of a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak tomorrow, a dangerous fire weather pattern that could develop under the current forecast. According to the National Weather Service, increased wildfire danger is expected to continue over the next several days.
The Wildland Fire Preparedness Level remains at Preparedness Level 3, indicating that wildfire activity is impacting several regions of the state as the result of drought, dry vegetation, or frequent fire weather events.
The Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) remains activated at Level II (Escalated Response) as the state stands ready to support local officials’ response to wildfire danger. At the Governor’s direction, more than 750 state emergency responders and over 300 pieces of equipment have mobilized from more than 16 state agencies to support the state’s wildfire response across Texas.
The following state emergency response resources continue to remain ready to support local wildfire response operations, including:
• Texas A&M Forest Service (Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System): Local, state, and out of state firefighters and support personnel, fire engines, bulldozers, and motor graders; federally contracted firefighting aircraft, including large air tankers, single-engine air tankers for retardant drops, air attack platforms for surveillance and spotting, super scoopers for water drops, helicopters with firefighting capability, fire bosses and an aerial supervision module for aerial guidance
• Texas Division of Emergency Management: The State of Texas Incident Management Team to support deployed emergency response resources across the state
• Texas National Guard: Chinook and Blackhawk helicopters with firefighting capability
• Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Wildland Fire Support Packages consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Texas Highway Patrol Troopers to patrol roadways and assist stranded motorists
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens, State Park Police
• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 2): Type 3 Urban Search and Rescue Teams
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents as well as AgriLife Extension Agents to support agricultural and livestock needs
• Texas Animal Health Commission: Coordinating animal resource needs
• Texas Department of Agriculture: Coordinating agricultural resource needs
• Texas Department of Transportation: Personnel monitoring road conditions
• Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordination with utility providers
• Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring of the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission: Personnel to provide information on available services through the 2-1-1 Texas Information Referral Network
• Texas Department of Information Resources: Monitoring technology infrastructure
Texans are urged to implement wildfire prevention measures, including avoiding activities that may cause sparks or flames, making an emergency plan, follow instructions from local officials, and keeping emergency supplies easily available.
Texans can visit TexasReady.gov for wildfire prevention information, locate all-hazards preparedness information at tdem.texas.gov/prepare and find the latest wildfire information at tfsweb.tamu.edu.
Governor Abbott continues to take action to provide all available resources to help support local communities and protect Texans from wildfire impacts, including:
• Encouraging Texans impacted by wildfire to report damage by using TDEM’s online damage reporting tool.
• Increasing the Readiness Level of the State Emergency Operations Center and adding counties to the state’s wildfire disaster declaration.
• Deploying additional state emergency response resources ahead of extremely critical wildfire danger.
• Activating state wildfire response resources ahead of wildfire danger.
CHRISTUS Health: Importance of Pulmonary Rehab for Lung Patients
March 13, 2025 – (SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas) – CHRISTUS Health is championing the importance of rehabilitation programs for lung patients in recognition of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week.
Initiated by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week aims to educate the community about the role of pulmonary rehabilitation in enhancing the quality of life of individuals with chronic lung disease.
Medical research has shown that more than 90% of lung disease patients who undergo pulmonary rehabilitation spend fewer days in the hospital.
“Pulmonary rehab, we believe, is a necessary addition to the management of many respiratory diseases,” said Chassity Hall, a respiratory therapist with CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. “Pulmonary rehabilitation has been proven to improve an individual’s ability to take care of themselves, improve their health and improve their overall quality of life.”
Hall and Sara Batchell, both respiratory therapists at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, say most programs see patients two to three times a week.
Ninety-two-year-old Sue Beck is one of those patients.
“Working out not only changes more than your body, it changes your habits and you gain confidence,” she said. “You gain a better mental outlook, and it will really change your life. It has changed mine.”
Placement in the program is on a referral basis through a primary care provider or pulmonologist cardiologist and each patient is given a pulmonary function test prior to entering the program. This test often includes an exercise stress test, breathing test and walking test.
“We recognize that every patient is different, so each program and intensity level is different,” Batchell said. “That said, we know that rehab is beneficial for everyone, not just for their short term recovery, but in building habits and routines that can benefit them long-term.”
Patients also receive education on at-home exercises, breathing exercises, proper use of medicines and inhalers, nutrition, and stress reduction techniques.
“If you have had any sort of pulmonary procedure done, we highly encourage you to talk with your doctor right away to see if rehab is right for you,” Hall said. “We know it is not always fun or easy, but we know the benefits are worth it.”
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The Next Hopkins County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting to be Held March 20th
March 13, 2025 – Join us in-person, if you can, by Zoom, if you can’t make it!
Thursday, March 20, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m. @ 611 N. Davis St., Sulphur Springs Tx– Emily Richardson
Emily is a professional genealogist and lecturer living in Denton, Texas. She began her genealogy research working with her mother in courthouses and cemeteries finding records for her ancestors in Ohio and Pennsylvania. She is the president of the Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS) for a two year term that began on January 1, 2025. Emily’s topic will be:
Collateral Research: Using 9 nine) children and DNA to Develop the story.
To achieve thorough genealogical research, one must take the time to research individuals who are not direct ancestors but are related to your primary research subject, collateral relatives. These could include aunts, uncles, and cousins, as well as siblings of your grandparents, great grandparents, etc. The time you spend researching these individuals may help you to gain a broader context for understanding family dynamics as well as fill in missing pieces of your research.
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Mar 20, 2025 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Dinner Bell for March 19, 2025
DINNER BELL, First United Methodist Church
SPONSOR: Summit Dental
The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal.
Summit Dental, located at 422 Oak Avenue, offers both preventative and restorative care for adults and children. A dental team led by Dr. Matthew Johnson, DDS and Dr. Tyler Robinson, DMD take continuing education seriously and are up-to date on dental technology and techniques that produce amazing results. Invisalign, an alternate to traditional braces, is also available.
This full service dental practice has office hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Payment plans are also available.
Whatever is needed: from a routine cleaning to a completely new, beautiful and healthy smile, the team at Summit Dental has the expertise and technology to give splendid results.
Dinner Bell appreciates the support of Summit Dental as a Community Partner.
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
MENU:
- Hamburger Steak with Brown Onion Gravy
- Mashed Potatoes
- Squash and Corn Casserole
- Garden Salad
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake (out of the box baking)
The Dinner Bell Ministry
First United Methodist Church
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
