West Texas A&M Will No Longer Require Students To Pay For Textbooks
August 29, 2023 – The president of the Canyon, TX campus announced by letter to students, faculty and staff that the university will be moving to eliminate the need for students to pay for textbooks by the Fall semester starting in 2024. The university is also encouraging faculty to explore how artificial intelligence can be used as a teaching aid.
The purchase of reference books and digital materials like style guides may still be required for courses, but Wendler said many virtual options are available to replace them as well. The university has also agreed provide additional free printing to students who wish to have a physical copy of course materials, Wendler said. Students’ allotment of free pages to print will be increased from 1,500 to 3,000, though students may be able to print more pages if they need them, he said.
The average college textbook in the U.S. is estimated to cost $105.37, and in-state undergraduates at four-year universities pay $1,226 in average a year for required books and supplies, according to the Education Data Initiative.
Wendler acknowledged the transition might be challenging but he said he is hopeful West Texas A&M will be able to eliminate textbook costs by next year’s fall semester. The university will offer more than a dozen workshops this semester to teach faculty and staff how they can use artificial intelligence and other digital tools when developing course materials.
Wendler’s letter also states that the various colleges will provide the funding in case a textbook is required, but no further details were provided on how that will actually work.
Official Rules for the Ribeye Roundup 2023
The 2023 Cattleman’s Classic and Ribeye Roundup will once again serve up steaks on Celebration Plaza this October 7th. The official rules for the cooking teams has been published.
Ticket are on sale now, click here for more details.
Here are some of the rules. You can find the complete list by clicking here.
Remember, this is a public event and good sportsmanship is appreciated. Visit with other cooks, make new friends, promote beef, and have fun.
Let the bragging begin! As a cook team entering the competition, you are agreeing to participate in the public dinner. Teams will be expected to cook steaks for the public dinner. Serving begins at 6:30. Teams should be prepared to cook 20 30 public steaks provided to you by CCRR.
Cook teams may begin setting up at 6:30 a.m. The square will be closed to all traffic at 10 a.m. sharp. All vehicles will be removed from the cook area immediately following setup. The square will be closed to traffic until 10:30pm. (Special parking available behind the First Baptist Church in the East parking lot).
One member of each cook team will attend the Cook’s Meeting located on the South end of the square. Steaks will be submitted in the same location.
No outside meat will be allowed for the competition or for the public steak dinner. Offenders will be immediately disqualified.
Teams are encouraged to prepare samples, hors d’oeuvres, appetizers, etc. as long as it compliments BEEF!
All steaks for the competition will be 14-16 oz. ribeyes, provided by the steak cook off.
Grills are limited to the following gas (propane), wood or charcoal.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report 08-21-2023 – 08-27-2023
Arrests:
Brassfield, Jerri, 39 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 8-20-2023 for Possession of Controlled Substance PG 1/1-B>=1G<4G and unlawful carrying weapon.
Harless, Johnny, 58 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 8-21-2023 on a Texas Parole Violation Warrant.
Hooten, Cody, 20 years of age, of Mineola, was arrested on 8-27-2023 on 3 Winnsboro Municipal Court Warrants.
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 147 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 38 citations and 44 warnings during this reporting period.
Emory Resident Arrested for 3rd DWI
August 28, 2023 – Emory resident CARLTON DEWAYNE CAGLE, age 61, was arrested this weekend and charged with at least his third DWI.
A report of a reckless driver was received by dispatch late Sunday night. The driver could not maintain his lane. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy traveled to 154 South and was able to locate the northbound vehicle.
A traffic stop was performed and the white Malibu came to a stop in the parking lot of a south Broadway store. Cagle show sign of intoxication and admitted to drinking alcohol before driving. He was asked to exit the vehicle. Open alcoholic beverage containers were found in his car. Cagle was unable to perform field sobriety tests and was arrested. His car was impounded.
At the Hopkins County Jail, Cagle refused to submit a blood sample. A warrant was obtained and a sample was taken.
Cagle, who lists himself as unemployed, has at least two prior convictions for DWI. A records checked shows his second occured in February of 2023 in Rains County Texas.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Sulphur Springs Man Stopped with Half Pound of Concealed Meth
August 28, 2023 – A Hopkins County Deputy was on routine patrol this weekend on I-30 when he noticed a vehicle fail to signal a lane change. The Hyundai was traveling east on I-30. The deputy pulled out and began following the car. The driver exited the interstate near Cumby and again failed to signal.
A traffic stop was performed in the parking lot of a gas station on the south service road. When contacted, the driver was nervous, sweating, had slurred speech and would not make eye contact. The driver, CRIS GLENN BROWN, was asked to exit the vehicle.
Brown was told why he was pulled over. He was asked if he had anything illegal in his car. Brown said ‘no’. He was then asked if a search of his car could be done. He granted permission for a search. A search of the interior of the vehicle reveal nothing illegal. Deputies then turned to exterior of the car.
Several magnetic boxes were found attached to the undercarriage of the vehicle. Inside those boxes were baggies containing a total of nearly 252 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
Deputies were careful to document and secure the evidence. The car was impounded. His cellphone was also confiscated as evidence.
Brown is charged with:
1 481.112(E) MAN/DEL CS PG 1 >= 200G < 400G
His bond is set at $100,000.
This is not the first time Brown has been in Hopkins County Jail. In August of 2020, Brown was arrested for allegedly choking a 19-year-old household member to the point she could not breath. A Hopkins County Grand Jury Indicted Brown on that charge. See that story here.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Burn Ban In Effect for Hopkins County
August 28, 2023 – The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court voted to enact a burn ban for Hopkins County effective immediately. No outdoor burning of any kind will be allowed during the ban. The dry conditions and lack of rain have elevated drought conditions across the State of Texas and few counties are left without burn bans. Hopkins County recently entered the “Abnormally Dry” level on the Texas Drought Monitor with no relief in sight. All but 10 counties in the panhandle are now listed at some level of drought in Texas The ban will stay in effect until such time as conditions improve.
Charged with Theft, Daniel Back in Hopkins County Jail
August 28, 2023 – Holly Rena Daniel is back in Hopkins County Jail. Her bond is set at $75,000. She now faces this charge:
1 31.03(E)(5) THEFT PROP >=$30K<$150K
Daniel was arrested earlier this year and charged with:
1 32.51(C-1) FRAUD USE/POSS IDENT INFO # ITEMS <5 ELDERLY
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Eggshells and Banana Peels for your Tomato Plants From Master Gardener David Wall
There’s a lot of confusion lately about what egg shells can do for your tomatoes. Literature, in the past, recommended putting egg shells in the planting hole before you transplant. It’s also recommended you crack an egg and drop the whole thing in the hole. This will help your tomato plant perhaps late in the season or, better yet, if you plant a tomato in the same spot next year!
The calcium in egg shells is highly desired by tomato plants, but the shell has to decompose first, and this takes time. There are two much faster ways to make calcium available. One is to puree eggs shells with some water in a blender and then allow it to dry to a powder. Now, the powder can be placed in the transplant hole. This works, but the process can get very messy! It’s best to do this process outside!
The second way is the simplest and easiest way to get calcium for your tomatoes. Go to the nursery or store and buy any of several products such as bone meal or calcium powders and/or sprays. Adding organic matter to the soil will also ensure adequate amounts of calcium for your plants. We add 1-2” of organic compost to our three home gardens every year and don’t worry about any nutrient shortages.
Past literature has also recommended dropping a whole banana or at least the peel before transplanting to ensure adequate phosphorus is available. Peels rot pretty fast, but they won’t provide a quick energy shot. Later in the season, however, they’ll provide some benefit. For faster results, put a banana peel in a quart jar, fill with water, seal, and wait 2 weeks. Remove the peel and pour the water around 3-4 plants. Repeat when the plants begin to flower.
State Fair Announces Food Winners
August 28, 2023 – Do you say “Corn Dog” or “Corny Dog”? Order it either way at this year’s State Fair of Texas and you won’t be turned away from the Fletcher’s concession stand. The correct term although for the State Fair mainstay is actually “Corny Dog”. An annual must-have since 1942 for lots of fairgoers, although there are plenty of other options around the State Fair grounds.
On Sunday, August 27th, the 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards were announced. Winners were announced in three awards – Most Creative, Most Taste: Sweet and Most Taste: Savory – with five nominees in each of the sweet and savory categories.
The winners were as follows:
Most Creative: Bourbon Banana Caramel Sopapillas, Cody & Lauren Hays
Hot and delicious traditional sopapillas topped with vanilla-caramel-infused bananas, sweet bourbon syrup, crushed candied pecans, sweetened mascarpone cheese, crumbled Nilla Wafers, and dusted with powdered sugar.
Most Taste – Savory: Deep Fried Pho, Michelle Le
Bringing a southern flare to this popular traditional Vietnamese comfort food that is both rich and savory. Deep Fired Pho is handcrafted, rolled up, and deep-fried Texas style! This unique combination creates a perfect balance between flavorful and refreshing. With every bite, you get a harmonious and succulent mouthful of noodles, slices of beef, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and a taste of aromatic pho broth that has been slowly simmered for hours. To tie this experience together, it is served with a side of pho broth for dipping, lime, jalapeños, cilantro, hoisin sauce, and sriracha for a spicy, fiery kick!
Most Taste – Sweet: Biscoff® Delight, Stephen El Gidi
Immerse yourself in the realm of a classic New York-style cheesecake coated with Belgian chocolate. Each bite reveals the symphony of an outer layer adorned with crushed Biscoff® cookies, offering a delightful crunch. To elevate this edible artwork, a drizzle of Lotus Biscoff® spread cascades gracefully, imparting a caramelized touch. Finally, a crowning glory is bestowed upon this culinary marvel with a perfectly placed Biscoff® cookie that entices you to embrace pure indulgence.
You may have explore the Fair Park grounds to taste all of this year’s winners and certainly all of the finalists. As for me, I will be enjoying a corny dog, with mustard, just one of the half million corny dogs Fletcher’s will sell during this year’s State Fair of Texas.
Please Be Seated Program Continues in Northeast Texas to Help Children Travel Safely in Approved Safety Seats
August 27, 2023 – PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation safety officials in Northeast Texas today reminded the public about a program to help parents ensure their children remain safe when traveling in a vehicle.
“If you see an unrestrained child traveling in a vehicle with Texas license plates, call the hotline and tell us the date, location and license number,” said Monica Yates, TxDOT transport funding specialist based in Paris. “We’ll take it from there…the driver will not be ticketed, but we will be in touch to help them get an approved child safety seat.”
The Paris District Please Be Seated hotline number is (903) 737-9290 and callers can remain anonymous, Yates said. Parents can call the hotline, too, to set up an appointment to have their car seat checked or to have a new one installed. Low-income persons often qualify for a free child safety seat courtesy of TxDOT.
“Also remember that used car seats, ones you get at a garage sale or from family members, may not be safe,” Yates said. “Child safety seats have an expiration date and shouldn’t be used after that date. They should also be replaced if and when the vehicle is involved in a crash.”
State law requires that children less than 8 years old and shorter than 4’9” travel in passenger vehicles in approved child safety seats. Those older than 8 and taller than 4’9” can travel using adult safety belts. State law also requires every person in a vehicle to be buckled up, regardless of where they are seated.
