NETSA Receives Grant From TCA
The Northeast Texas Association (NETSA) under the leadership of the Sulphur Springs Symphony League has been approved to receive one the 256 Art Respond Project grants through the Texas Commission of the Arts (TCA). These grants fund arts-based projects that address on the priority areas of economic development, education, health and human services, natural resources and agriculture, or public safety and criminal justice.
NETSA applied for funds for the June 27, 2015 Independence Day Celebration to be held on Celebration Plaza in downtown Sulphur Springs. It will cite the economic development this concert and fireworks show provide to the area restaurants and hotels, and the application references the impact this long-running concert has had on the community both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Founded in 1992, the Northeast Texas Symphony Association and the Sulphur Springs Symphony League provide entertainment for Hopkins County residents and visitors at professional orchestra concerts such as the Independence Day Celebration and the Children’s Concert, as well as provide string instruments and college scholarships for SSISD students.
Good Problems to Have by Dr. Mario Villarino
Earlier in the week, a phone call of one of our hay producers was very interesting to me. As he shared with me his pasture situation after the rain, we started talking about the clover in his meadow. According to the rancher, his meadow had a large number of clovers in it. With the rain, he was having trouble getting his cattle to eat it. We talked about the need of “pushing” the clover with cattle and the benefits of high nutritional forage for his cows.
According to the university of Georgia –Extension, in addition to improving animal performance, a frequently mentioned benefit of including clover in pastures is nitrogen fixation. The earth’s atmosphere is made up of about 80 percent nitrogen; this nitrogen is not, however, in a form plants can utilize. Nitrogen is “fixed” in clovers through a symbiotic relationship with rhizobium bacteria that infect roots. The plant provides energy for the bacteria, and bacteria provide the “machinery” necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen to a form available to plants.
Nitrogen fixation is one of many economically important features of clover, particularly when clover represents a substantial proportion of available forage. A vigorous stand of white clover will fix 100-150 pounds of nitrogen per year depending on soil and growing conditions. At fertilizer nitrogen prices of $0.30 per pound, this translates to $30-$45 per acre. The economic value of nitrogen fixation alone should more than pay for seed and establishment expenses. Direct benefits of nitrogen fixation are realized almost exclusively by clover plants. Studies have shown that mixed grass and clover stands can produce forage yields equivalent to those of nitrogen fertilized grass stands. In the clover-containing system, overall grass yields decrease, but clover yields offset these decreases.
In addition to clover plants supplying forage without nitrogen fertilization, overall forage quality available to animals is higher in pastures containing clover. Most people envision a “pipeline” that transports nitrogen directly from clover to grass. Unfortunately almost no nitrogen is contributed to grasses this way. Essentially all nitrogen supplied to grasses from clover is indirect. Because of this indirect route, nitrogen from clover root nodules is not immediately available to companion grasses. Root nodules must decompose and nitrogen must be converted into a form available to plants. This conversion or “mineralization” releases nitrogen slowly, much like a time release fertilizer. This slow, steady nitrogen supply from a healthy stand of white clover can keep perennial grasses green and productive through the growing season. Fixed nitrogen from clovers is also supplied to grasses via grazing animals. Most of the nitrogen in consumed high quality clover plants is not digested or deposited in the animal and returns to the pasture as dung or urine. After our discussion, he shared with me his experiences with fertilization and his abundance of forage now.
In a way, I was glad to hear that his cattle were doing good and an excess of forage a good problem to have. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please call me at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Dr. Mario Villarino, CEA- Hopkins
Updated; Another Online Solicitation Arrest
April 14, 2015 – Another online solicitation of a minor arrest can be credited to local law enforcement. This time the arrest was made at Coleman Park when 51-year old GARY CURTIS GEORGE of Greenville, TX arrived with a gift for the under aged minor—the gift, a vibrator.
He made a full confession to his online activity of solicitation of a minor.
Gary Curtis George has made bail, and is no longer in Hopkins County Jail.
See a follow-up story on George by clicking here.
GARY CURTIS GEORGE
Five Wilcats Named to All-District Soccer
Five Wildcats made the All-District Soccer Team. Senior Juan Gomez was named a first team defender. Second team selections included sophomore forward Chris Espinoza, junior midfielder Tanner Ramirez and senior goalkeeper Jorge Roque. Sophomore defender Bryan Roque made the Honorable Mention list.
Lady Cat JV Softball Celebrates an Undefeated Season
The Lady Cat JV team went completely undefeated this season.
Karlee Adams, Mia Pharis, Ruby Pennington, Coach Val Dovinos, Destiney Godbolt, Maci Merrell, Brooklyn Moon. Stetsin Fielding, Jacklyn Selmer, Macee Hollins, Kate Potts, Kelly Orsorino
Today’s Deadline to Vote for Hannah Kirby – 11 AM
All Voting options begin at approximately 8:55pm Monday night.
It is more important than ever to vote RIGHT NOW and encourage anyone else you know to do the same.
The easiest and fastest way is to VOTE by calling 1-877-553-3701 and you can do so up to 10 times from each phone. Encourage everyone you know to call this number up to 10 times from each of their phones as well. You can continue to vote by this method until 11 am Tuesday morning.
You can also text from a SPRINT phone, the number “01” to 8642
You can also VOTE 10 TIMES on the website. www.nbc.com/the-voice/vote
AND You can also use your smartphone app to VOTE and additional 10 times.
Of course you can download any Hannah song that you haven’t already downloaded on iTunes and that gives her votes as well.
Many have referred to this portion of the contest as a “popularity” contest and in some ways it is just that. At this point, some of the contestants may stay or go even though they haven’t had their best performance or may not have continued to grow with their talents. Hannah absolutely knocked it out of the park singing a Stevie Nicks’ song, “Edge of Seventeen”. Her maturity and confidence singing such a tough song was not missed by the judges who ALL were blown away with her performance.
Still no Love for SB1158
With the most recent check up on SB1158, absolutely NOTHING has happened with it as of yet. The Hall-sponsored bill is still stuck in the Finance Committee of the Texas State Senate. Not only stuck, but yet to even be read (or considered) by the committee. Senator Hall actually explained another one of his bills to the Finance Committee last week, but even that bill was in effect “tabled” as no one else spoke for or against it. It is a tough road for a bill in the Texas legislature, time will only tell if it makes it out of this committee. KSST has reported on each taxing authority’s position on the bill, and although this bill is only the first step to give the voter’s of Hopkins County the option to increase their sale’s tax, there are many unanswered questions as to what else can occur if the bill passes. In doing some fact checking on City Manager’s Marc Maxwell’s comments on Texarkana’s sales tax rates, I found that Marc was mostly correct. As we drove through Texarkana last weekend, I stopped at a Starbuck’s and was shocked to find out that the sales tax on the Arkansas side was 12.25 % Yes, over TWELVE percent!!! I actually checked into why Mr. Maxwell got his facts wrong, as he stated that there was a 2% difference between the Texas side and the Arkansas side (8.25 & 10.25 respectively). I came to realize that the Arkansas side has an ADDITIONAL 2% “prepared food” tax on top of their already higher than normal sales tax!!! So, I have to say that he had it mostly right and missed the sometimes higher tax on prepared food.
In talking with the clerk at Starbuck’s she admitted that she gets complaints all the time, especially from customers that were excited to have a new Starbuck’s closer to them as the other one was on the Texas side, but they were disappointed to know that the tax was so high. She further stated that some customers choose to drive back over to the Texas side to save the difference in the tax. This statement got me to wondering that if people will drive a short distance to pay a lower tax on a cup of coffee, how far would people drive to pay a lower tax on big ticket items??? I realize, that the proposed tax increase is only 1/2 of 1%, from 8.25 to 8.75 but you have to consider the impact of losing the entire tax. If someone chooses to purchase a new refrigerator for $1000, the higher tax only costs the customer an additional $5. Unfortunately, if the customer chooses to buy that refrigerator in Greenville, our city, county, and EDC lose $87.50 collectively, so now more than 17 additional refrigerators need to be sold to make up for the loss. It may be a stretch to think that someone would drive to Greenville to save $5 on such a big purchase, but it’s just an example. Taxing is a complicated game, I just hope no one considers a “prepared food” tax here like the Arkansas side of Texarkana, I think that Starbuck’s wishes they hadn’t located in that neighborhood.
PJC Cheer Clinic and Tryouts
Paris Junior College will sponsor a cheer clinic and tryouts on Saturday, April 25 in the Old Gymnasium in the center of campus in Paris. Those wishing to tryout must attend the clinic, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Tryouts will begin at 1 p.m.
The packet must be completed and returned by Wednesday, April 22 by 5 p.m. to the PJC Student Life Office. Other requirements include current enrollment in or acceptance to PJC. Incoming freshman and transfer students must provide a copy of their acceptance letter. All applicants must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Participants must be 18 or have a parent or guardian signature.
At the clinic, participants will learn changes, a cheer and a dance, and be required to perform what the learned at the tryouts. They should wear black shorts and a white t-shirt to the tryouts.
Those succeeding at the tryouts must be available to practice and attend camp over the summer. If they cannot participate over the summer, the next highest-ranking participant will be chosen.
All participants must complete a tryout application. To get the application packet, download at www.parisjc.edu/cheer, or contact PJC Director of Student Life Kenneth Webb at 903-782-0433.
16-Month Old Death Under Investigation in Winnsboro
Winnsboro Police Department is investigating the death of a 16-month old child. As of Monday at noon, Chris Hill with WPD said his department is working with Child Protective Services, the Wood County District Attorney’s office and DA investigator along with Texas Ranger John Vance in the investigation of the death.
Thursday EMS in Winnsboro responded to a call regarding a non-responsive 16-month old. According to Hill, the child was flown by medical helicopter to Children’s’ Hospital in Dallas. Based on the numerous bruises and abrasions on the child, WPD called CPS and an investigation was initiated.
Friday, WPD investigated doctors and nurses at Children’s Hospital. Saturday the child was ruled brain dead but kept on life support until, with family permission, organs were harvested for other children in need of transplants according to Hill. An autopsy is being performed in Dallas and results are expected tomorrow since no toxicology results are needed.
Hill said suspects in the case are being questioned. As of Monday morning, Hill said he has questioned at least 10 individuals, including the suspects, regarding the case. He said everyone was being cooperative. He expects to question several others related to the case today.
