Rabies Report, 2015 First Quarter
As of March 31, 2015 The Texas Department of Public Health has investigated 17 potential cases of rabies. Fifteen animals were positive with 2 raccoons having test results re-turned as destroyed. Within the 35 counties Region 4/5N covers there was a total 138 animals tested consisting of horses, raccoons, skunks, dogs, cats, bats, cattle and foxes. So far this year we have a percent positive of 10.8% which is in line with our final of 11.3% for 2014.
We have dispensed rabies post-exposure prophylaxis to 4 individuals this year. Two persons were potentially exposed to a known rabid horse and another for a raccoon bite which could not be tested. One exposure occurred outside of the country from a dog bite in Bolivia, where canine rabies variant still exists.
We continue to encourage our veterinarians, Animal Control Officers and other personnel involved in the investigation of bite cases to send in specimens to the Austin laboratory. The surveillance efforts aid us in risk assessments for potential human and animal exposures. Thank you for your time and
As usual, do not hesitate to call or even stop by the new office with any questions you might have!
Zoonosis Control Region 4/5N
2521 W Front Street
Tyler, Texas 75702
903-533-5260 phone
903-533-5383 fax
Rabies 2015
SSHS UIL Academic Team 2nd in District
The Wildcats UIL Academic Team may still qualify more teams and students for Regional competition to be held on April 24-25 at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. Nineteen students including two teams, Computer Science and Literary Criticism, have already qualified at District competition last Friday and Saturday at Texas High. Three teams, Current Events, Social Studies and Spelling and Vocabulary, finished second and might be selected as wild cards for Regional if they turn out to be the top scoring second place teams across the region.
In the Computer Science team, Tim Charlton placed first, Trenton Brock placed second, and M. Hunter Allen placed third. In Current Issues and Events, Riley Dixon earned second place. In Journalism, Lacey Jackson placed second in Feature writing, and Patricia Parks placed third in News Writing. In Literary Criticism, McKenzie Hohenberger placed first, and Laura Graham placed third. In ready Writing, Lydia Burleson placed first, and McKenzie Hohenberger placed third. In Social Studies, Ariel Gonzalez earned first place, and Andrew Allen earned second place. In Spelling and Vocabulary, Jenna Ash earned first place, and Carson McIllwain earned third place. IN L-D Debate, Josh Burgin won second place. In One-Act Play, which was held on March 25, 2015, Sulphur Springs performed Maelstrom by Don Nigro. Liam Pollard was named to the All-Star Cast while both Sadie Evans and Carson McIllwain were named to the Honorable-Mention All-Star Cast. Hailey Farmer received the tech award for Sulphur Springs.
Wildcats UIL Academic Coordinator Gina Wilder said it could be two weeks before that is determined
April showers!!!
The first days of spring has brought plenty of rain to Hopkins County. As temperature increase, it is important to take actions before our landscapes get out of control (and trust them, they will if you let them!). Texas A&M AgriLife Extension published the following recommendations for the month of April:
a) Prune spring-flowering shrubs soon after flowering. Keep the natural shape of the plant in mind as you prune, and avoid excessive cutting except where necessary to control size.
b) Roses have high fertilizer requirements. For most soils, use a complete fertilizer for the first application just as new growth starts, then use ammonium sulfate, or other high nitrogen source, every 4 to 6 weeks, usually just as the new growth cycle starts following a flowering cycle. For organic sources use cottonseed, rotted manures or alfalfa meal.
c) Continue to spray rose varieties susceptible to black spot, using a spray recommended for fungus control every 7 to 10 days. Many of the Old Garden Roses and some of the newer ones have considerable resistance to black spot.
d) Climbing hybrid tea roses may be pruned as soon as they complete flowering.
e) Removing spent flowers, trimming back excessive growth, and applying fertilizer to an established annual bed can do wonders towards rejuvenating and extending the life of the planting.
f) As soon as azaleas have finished flowering, apply an acid type fertilizer at the rate recommended. Don’t over fertilize, as azalea roots are near the surface and damage can occur. Water thoroughly after fertilizing.
g) Seeds of amaranthus, celosia, cosmos, marigold, portulaca, zinnia and other warm-season annuals can be sown directly in the beds where they are to grow. Keep seeded areas moist until seeds germinate. Thin out as soon as they are large enough to transplant. Surplus plants can be transplanted to other areas.
h) It will soon be time for bagworms to attack junipers and other narrow-leafed evergreens. Control measures, such as Sevin dust or spray, should be applied while the insects and the bags are about one-half inch in length.
i) When caterpillars attack live oak trees en masse, it is very alarming, but usually nothing can be done. A healthy live oak will usually regrow its leaves and resume normal activities.
j) For instant color, purchase started annual plants. Select short, compact plants. Any flowers or flower buds should be pinched to give plants an opportunity to become established.
k) Check new tender growth for aphids. A few can be tolerated, but large numbers should be controlled. Always follow label instructions on approved pesticides for control. Washing them off with a strong spray of water may be all that is necessary for adequate control.
l) Many flower or vegetable seeds left over after planting the garden can be saved for the next season by closing the packets with tape or paper clips and storing in a sealed glass jar in your refrigerator.
m) Start weeding early in the flower garden. Early competition with small plants can delay flowering. A mulch will discourage weed growth and make those that do come through easier to pull.
n) Soil purchased for use in beds, low areas, and containers should be examined closely. Often, nut grass and other weeds, nematodes, and soil-borne disease are brought into the yard through contaminated soil sources.
o) Watch newspaper and other publicity for information regarding wildflower trails, and open garden days. Plan to take a trip to enjoy beautiful gardens and trails that are abundant in many areas of Texas
Coming Up:
Homeowner Maintenance of Aerobic Treatment Units, April 17th, 2015 starting at 8:30. Registration required by calling 903-885-3443. Directed to the homeowner, this session provides basic training in proper evaluation of structures, equipment and operation of already installed aerobic septic systems. Cost of the training: $100. Minimum 10 participants for the class to make it.
Spring Field Day, in cooperation with NRCS-Hopkins. A great opportunity to visit forage producer Mr. Tracy Knight in Brashear, Texas. Mr. Knight has incorporated innovative and traditional farming technologies to produce the highest quality hay possible. Participants will discuss subjects related to precision agriculture (Pickering), forage management & weed control (Corriher-Olson), drought preparedness and tree removal (Wright). April 27th 2015 8:30 AM to Noon. Starting at the Hopkins County Extension Office located at 1200B Houston Street, in Sulphur Springs. Personal transportation required. 2 CEU for private applicators. Free. Register by calling 903-885-3443.
Rainy Month of March
It was another rainy month in Sulphur Springs during March, the third straight wet month to start 2015. Rainfall was measured at 6.18 inches at the Sulphur Springs Water Treatment Plant during March. We see an average of 4.27 inches during a typical March. Sulphur Springs has now had 14.02 inches of rain during the first three months of the year. That’s 3.67 inches of rain above the normal. There is one ominous sign. There has been recorded precipitation since March 23. There were 17 days of rain recorded during the month of March’s first 23 days. We usually see 4.34 inches of rain during April. Average high and low temperature during March were 61 and 45. The high temperature during March was 83 degrees on the 26th and 30th, Lowest temperature was 22 degrees on March 6.
Former Sheriff Remembered
Funeral services are pending with West Oak Funeral Home for former Hopkins County Sheriff Bill Dirks. Dirks was Hopkins County’s first African American sheriff. Sheriff Dirks is remembered fondly by former deputy Henry Turner, now the Bailiff for the Hopkins County Courthouse.
Turner, who started as a jailor was invited by Sheriff’s Dirks to be a deputy. Dirks was popular with the community according to Turner, who called the former Sheriff an overall good man to work for along with being a father figure to him. Turner said Dirks held his employees to the highest levels of integrity. His sense of humor was also unique as well.
Dirks is credited by Turner with being a great influence on fellow African American officers. “He will be missed,” stated Turner.
‘The Voice’ Poll, Team Blake
With Team Blake narrowed down to the Final 5 after the last Knockout Round, Hannah can focus on her immediate competition. As the show moves forward, Hannah will first compete with her own teammates. The staff at KSST is interested in who you think may be Hannah’s toughest competitor on Team Blake.
[poll id=”3″]
Can’t remember who’s who? Here are links to each performers’ ‘The Voice’ page.
Lady Cat Softball Sink Pine Tree 13-3
The Lady Cats’ softball team scored in every inning as they defeated Pine Tree, 13-3 in five innings at Lady Cat Park Monday night. The Lady Cats had five run innings in the first and third. Molly Johnston went three for three and her double drove in three runs. Kasey Moore hit a home run. Summer Wyatt got the pitching win. The Lady Cats are 5-2 in district play. They open the second half at Longview Friday.
The JV team also scored 13 points but held the Pine Tree JV squad to only a single point. The JV Lady Cats remain undefeated in district play 6-0.
Powdered Alcohol Ban Sent to Full House
by Ryan McCrimmon, The Texas Tribune – March 30, 2015
The same month federal regulators approved the sale of powdered alcohol, Texas has joined a growing number of states moving quickly to outlaw the new product that health officials say could make it easier for minors to conceal and consume alcohol.
The House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee approved a bill Monday by state Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, that bans the sale and possession of powdered alcohol, or “Palcohol,” in Texas. The powder is sold in a small pouch — in an amount equivalent to a shot — for consumers to mix into a glass of water, soda, juice or other beverage to create an instant mixed drink.
At a committee meeting last week, Geren said allowing powdered alcohol in the state could lead to alcohol abuse by minors.
“Some have gone so far as to suggest the public health ramifications of powdered alcohol could make the darkest days of the Four Loko era look tame,” Geren said, referring to the alcoholic energy drink that changed its formula in 2010 after widespread criticism that it posed a health risk for young drinkers.
Powdered alcohol, available in vodka, rum, cosmopolitan, margarita and lemon drop flavors, was approved earlier this month by the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
Creator Mark Phillips invented Palcohol so he could have a drink when he went “hiking, biking, camping and kayaking” without carrying a heavy bottle of booze around, according to the product’s website.
But critics say Palcohol’s size and portability is more problem than feature.
“With packets small enough to fit into a child’s pocket, it will be harder for schools and parents to identify and confiscate this substance from our youth,” Grace Barnett, a spokeswoman for Texans Standing Tall, a nonprofit that advocates against youth drug and alcohol use, said at the hearing last week.
“They could spike the punch, they could snort it, they could just put it in their mouth,” Geren said. “I just don’t think it’s something that we need to have on the shelves in our liquor stores.”
Geren’s House Bill 1018 would classify powdered alcohol as an illicit beverage, illegal to sell or possess in Texas. The legislation is one of 47 bills filed across 28 states in this year to somehow regulate powdered alcohol, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Alaska, Louisiana, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia already prohibit the sale of powdered alcohol, and Delaware and Michigan have extended liquid alcohol restrictions to powdered alcohol. In Maryland, wholesalers and distributors agreed to a voluntary ban on the product.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/30/powdered-alcohol-ban-sent-full-house/.
Winnsboro Police Weekly Report
Four arrests were made during the week of March 23-29 by the Winnsboro Police Department:
- Stephen Thorp, 33, of Winnsboro was arrested for possession of a controlled substance more than 4 grams and less than 200 grams.
- Merissa Grey, 28, of Qutman was arrested for possession of Marijuana less than 2 ounces.
- Demetrius Williams, 20, of Tyler was arrested for one municipal warant for the City of Winnsboro and one warrant for Hopkins County.
- Trevor Williams, 21, of Winnsboro was arrested for two municipal warrants for the City of Winnsboro.
One accident was investigated involving a sedan traveling east on Coke Road. An SUV pulled out of a private drive and struck the sedan. No injuries were reported.
During the week, the WPD received 170 calls for service, issued 29 citations and 33 warnings.
Dutch Oven Cooking Class Offered
The annual John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Class offered by Rick Wilson with the Hopkins County Historical Society will be held soon in Heritage Park. Wilson discussed the class on KSST’s Good Morning Show with Enola Gay Monday morning.
The cooking class is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, at Heritage Park from 8 a.m. until noon. Cost of the class is $15 per person. Wilson said that those attending would learn the in’s and out’s of cooking with a Dutch Oven by preparing and enjoying the fool while learning. Lunch and door prizes are included in the entry fee.
For more informtaion contact Wilson at 903-885-9692 or 903-335-2752 or Carlie Penson aat 903-383-2648 or 903 348-2239.
