Boaters Urged To ‘Clean, Drain and Dry’ To Stop Aquatic Invasive Species
Every year, Texans enjoy the Fourth of July by soaking in the summer sun on the water. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) urges boaters and paddlers to do their part to protect the Texas lakes we love from aquatic invasive species during the heart of boating season.
“While we want everyone to have a great time, we also want them to avoid giving invasive species free rides to new lakes,” said Brian Van Zee, TPWD Inland Fisheries regional director. “The best way to prevent the spread of many harmful aquatic invasive species is to clean, drain and dry your boats and equipment every time.”
Zebra mussels and giant salvinia continue to spread to new areas in Texas. While they remain as some of the biggest threats to Texas lakes, other highly invasive species that boaters can transport include water hyacinth, crested floating heart and quagga mussels.
Zebra mussels, a non-native shellfish that attaches to hard surfaces, also pose a significant threat to our lakes. These invasive mussels damage boats and infrastructure for water supply and control, alter lake ecosystems and cause harm to native species. They also litter shorelines with hazardous, sharp shells that impact lakefront recreation.
“Zebra mussels and quagga mussels can be attached to boats or even carried by anchors or attached to plants clinging to boats,” said Monica McGarrity, TPWD senior scientist for aquatic invasive species. “Microscopic zebra mussel larvae can be transported in residual water in the boat. Taking just a few minutes to clean, drain and dry boats can make a huge difference in our efforts to prevent further spread of this highly damaging species and harm to Texas lakes.”
Zebra mussels are now found in 36 Texas lakes across seven river basins, as well as in river reaches downstream of infested lakes. TPWD and partners monitor numerous at-risk lakes around the state for early detection of zebra (and closely related quagga) mussels, but once they’ve been introduced and become established in a lake, nothing can be done to control or eradicate them.
Giant salvinia, a free-floating aquatic fern that can double its coverage area in a week, is one of the major threats to our lakes. This highly invasive plant can produce thick surface mats that make fishing, boating, swimming and other water recreation nearly impossible.
“There’s no doubt that Texans love their lakes, but we also need Texans to take action to help protect them,” said John Findeisen, TPWD aquatic habitat enhancement team lead. “It only takes a tiny fragment of an invasive plant to create a new infestation and preventing aquatic invasive species introductions avoids costly, long-term efforts to manage these species once they infest a lake. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure — a small amount of our time as responsible boaters to clean, drain, and dry our boats and equipment can prevent new introductions of aquatic invasive species.”
Giant salvinia is currently present on 36 East Texas lakes and numerous rivers, creeks and marshes between Houston and Beaumont. While TPWD efforts have kept giant salvinia from limiting angling or boating access in Texas public waters, they can still hitchhike from one lake to another on a boat, trailer or other equipment.
TPWD urges boaters to follow these three simple but crucial steps to clean, drain and dry boats and gear before traveling from lake to lake.
- Remove plants, mud and debris.
- Drain all water from the boat and gear.
- Once back home, open compartments and allow everything to dry completely for at least a week, if possible.
If a boat has been stored in the water at a lake with invasive mussels, it is likely infested and poses an extremely high risk for transporting these invasive species to a new lake. Before moving the boat, call TPWD at (512) 389-4848 for guidance.
In addition to the harm invasive species can cause to aquatic ecosystems, water infrastructure and the recreational experience at lakes, the transport of these organisms can result in legal trouble for boaters. Transporting prohibited aquatic invasive species in Texas is illegal and punishable with a fine of up to $500 per violation for the first offense. It’s also the law that boaters must drain all water from their boat and onboard receptacles, including bait buckets, before leaving or approaching a body of fresh water. They must also remove all invasive plants from the boat and trailer before leaving a lake.
For more information on how to properly clean, drain and dry boats and equipment, visit the TPWD YouTube channel for a short instructional video. To learn more about zebra mussels and other invasive species in Texas, visit tpwd.texas.gov/StopInvasives.
TPWD and partners monitor for invasive species in Texas lakes, but anyone who spots them on boats, trailers or equipment that is being moved can help prevent new introductions by reporting the sighting to TPWD at (512) 389-4848. Anyone who finds invasive species such as zebra mussels in lakes where they haven’t been found before can help identify new introductions by emailing photos and location information to [email protected].
Homer Returned to Hopkins County to Face Fraud Charges
June 30, 2023 – APRIL DANIELLE HOMER was escorted back to the Hopkins County Jail this week to face:
1 32.51(C-1) FRAUD USE/POSS IDENT INFO # ITEMS 5<10 ELDERLY
Homer was arrested in November of last year after a traffic stop. See that story here.
Homer was transported from Hillsborough County Jail to Hopkins County jail without indicent.
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.
The Ladonia Rodeo is Coming up July 7th and 8th
The 57th Annual Ladonia Rodeo will be held July 7th and 8th. The event opens at 8:00pm each night, at Eastman Arena in Ladonia, Texas. Friday night will be Patriot Night. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids. Admission includes admission to the dance Saturday night, featuring Braxton Keith. Look them up on facebook.
Paris Junior College Coding Camp is Underway at the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center Campus
CODING CAMP
THE PJC Coding Camp for 6th through 8th graders is underway at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus. PJC computer science instructor Cedric Crawford, above, is the camp instructor. Learning computer coding and programming from Crawford are Liam Schott, left, Caeden Lucas at the computer, and Casen Cowden, right. PJC-Sulphiur Springs Center will host another week of coding campus from July 24 through July 28. Call the campus at 903-885-1232 to register.
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.
Overly Rich Soil
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
10+ years ago, I wrote articles on gardens’ ideal soil organic percentages being 5%. An interesting aspect is an awful lot of organic material doesn’t raise the overall percentage very much. Getting up to 5% can take several years. Finally, anything over 5% is a wasted effort. There was also an article that too much fertilizer could result in excess vegetable plant growth at the expense of fruit.
Well, it’s finally hit home. I’ve got three raised bed gardens, 9’ X 17’, 11’ X 23’, and 4’ X 38’. All started with a mixture of firewood, leaves, mulch, top soil and compost. Initial compost pH was 7.5 which was offset by the other raised bed contents. Several years ago, I switched to compost having a pH of 5.5 – 6.5. Compaction lowers the bed level, so every year, each garden takes on 1-2” of new compost, thus
further enriching the soil.
All have done well from day one except for a few bone head moves, such as watering corn with a hose which knocked off all the pollen and resulted in no corn!
Well, last year I noticed some unusual aspects in these gardens, okra, for example. We’re all used to 8’ tall plants which, toward end-of-season, require bending the plant over to reach the pods. 8’ is fine, but last year, okra plants were over 10’ tall. Fortunately, fruit production was good.
This year, I’ve already had to prune tomato plant tips due to excessive growth. Fruit production varies from very light to very heavy. Purple hull pea pants have multiple 6’+ runners. As a result, I’ve had to prune virtually every runner to force fruit production, which is running from almost non-existent to extremely well.
If this is the overly rich soil result, I think I’ll keep it!!!
Hopson Back in Hopkins County Jail to Face Credit Card Abuse Charges
June 29, 2023 – MICAH ISIAH HOPSON, age 22 of Sulphur Springs, was contacted by Sulphur Springs Police this week. A record check found active warrants for his arrest.
HOPSON was an employee at a local farm and home store in Sulphur Springs. Earlier this year, video surveillance verified Hopson was going through a fellow employees belongings and taking pictures of their credit cards. When confronted by Police, Hopson allegedly confessed to using the cards several times.
A Hopkins County Grand Jury found sufficient evidence to proceed, and indicted Hopson in June of 2023.
Hopson is faceing 2 counts of:
32.31 CREDIT CARD OR DEBIT CARD ABUSE
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.
Center For Women Entrepreneurs Announces Texas Rural Woman Grant Awardees
The Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership’s Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) at Texas Woman’s University has selected 35 woman-owned businesses to receive $10,000 awards through its Texas Rural Woman Grant program. The program supports economic development activity in rural Texas by enabling rural, woman-owned small businesses to undertake new and innovative projects.
The awardees include:
Mette Hansen, The Flower Pot, Perryton
Victoria Fletcher, Muddy Boot Cattle Company LLC, Hubbard
Amber Ross, Raven Aerial Solutions, LLC, Granbury
Christina Isbell, Haskell Funeral Home, Inc., Haskell
Mindy Myers, The Bohemian Shepherdess, LLC, Cumby
Bertha Griego, Beacon’s R.V. Park & Marina, LLC, Rockport
Diana Perry, Di-Hard Fitness Studio, LLC., Rockdale
Kate Thayer, Eve’s Garden Bed and Breakfast, Marathon
Anne Calaway, Front Street Books LLC, Alpine
Jolie Estes, Broadmoor Farm, Paris
Jessica Moore, Ready, Set, Shine! Pediatric Therapy, Hart
Emma Morales, Poole Oh, Charlie, Lockney
Maegan Balog, Kickbox Leasing, LLC, Bowie
Shonda Folsom, The Folsom Law Firm, PLLC, Big Spring
Stephanie Falkner, Bloom ‘N’ Sprout San, Saba
Jennifer Been, JBeen Properties, LLC, Dalhart
Crystal Melton, Top Shelf Industries, Tulia
Stacy Robles-Boil, Faith Fitness Gym, Sweetwater
Cheri Whatley, Walleck Rusty Hook Winery, Port Lavaca
Paula Duwe, Schumann’s Inc, Eden
Marnie Long, M Design Studio, Inc., Rockport
Shani Shofner, Rocky Oaks Ranch Construction, Eldorado
Amy Thornhill, The Studio on Main, Lamesa
Devin Sisk, Devin Sisk Photography, Muleshoe
Amy Horn, Rockin A Design, Dalhart
Tamara Hood, Circle S Pest Control Inc, Burnet
Melissa Rusek, Texas One Stop of La Grange, La Grange
Susan Jolliff, Brady Dental Group, P. A., Brady
Lisa Owens, Ready to GLO’ Skincare, Rockdale
Angelita Ponce, Aguilar Doggie Do’s Dog Parlor, Three Rivers
Catina (Tina) Souder, Rolling Plains Counseling & Wellness Center, Wellington
Linsey A. Taylor, Ahart Real Estate, Graham
Shannon Horta, Innovative Office Systems, Lufkin
Savanna Smith, Munch-oes Bakery LLC, El Campo
DeAnna McDearmont, One Soul Yoga, Sulphur Springs
Grant applications were received from across Texas for this first-time grant program aimed specifically at helping rural, woman-owned businesses throughout the state.
The Center for Women Entrepreneurs is a program of the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman’s University. The institute is dedicated to preparing more women to take on successful roles in business and public service. Its three specialized centers ensure women have the education to establish careers as successful executives, the skills for building entrepreneurial businesses and the framework needed to run for public office.
2023 CANHelp Hopkins County Back To School Fair
CANHelp is very excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2023 Hopkins County Back to School Fair. For six years, our annual back to school fair has been a one-stop destination to prepare students and entire families for the start of school. The number of people we serve each year continues to grow and we anticipate providing for even more in 2022.
This year’s event will again be an indoor/outdoor event that will provide students and families with FREE backpacks and school supplies as well as other FREE services such as haircuts, school physicals, dental and vision exams, vaccinations and health check ups. There will be a ton activities for everyone to HAVE FUN and get ready for the upcoming school year.
This event will be held Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 3pm-6pm at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
To register for backpacks and school supplies or to become a sponsor, vendor, or volunteer, please visit the links below to learn more.
Questions? Email [email protected].
How To Spot A Bagworm By Mario Villarino
The small, silk weaving that resembles a Christmas tree ornament on your favorite tree or shrub is not decoration. These bags protect the caterpillars, or larvae, pupae, female adults and eggs of bagworms (Order Lepidoptera Family Psychidae) Bagworms attack trees and shrubs including: evergreens such as arborvitae, cedars, cypress, junipers, pines and spruce broadleaved plants such as apple, basswood, black locust, boxelder, elm, honey locust, Indian hawthorn, maple, various oaks, persimmon, sumac, sycamore, wild cherry and willow.
Although bagworms are not abundant every year, once a plant is infested the insect becomes a persistent problem unless controlled. Texas has several species of bagworms. Each species’ is slightly different habits and life cycles affect the timing of control measures. Infestations, which may not be noticed at first, can defoliate trees and shrubs, and kill these plants if left unchecked. Eggs are laid in the fall and hatch in the spring. Caterpillars grow throughout the summer and pupate in August or September. After a 3-week pupal period, the adult moths emerge. After mating, the females deposit their eggs and die.
Birds, insect parasites and insect predators are natural enemies of bagworms. Bird predation and insect parasitism can help keep bagworm outbreaks brief. However, natural enemies often can’t prevent the bagworms from damaging plants. Handpicking bagworms off the plants is the cheapest way to control them, particularly in the winter months. Pick off all of the bags and destroy or discard them. Eggs in bags thrown on the ground will hatch in the spring and develop into larvae that could reinfest the plants.
If handpicking isn’t practical or safe, use insecticide spray. Apply insecticide soon after bagworm eggs have hatched or while the larvae are small and feeding. Determine the right time for treatment by collecting bags in late winter and keeping them in a container out of sunlight. Once the caterpillars hatch from the bags in the container, apply insecticide to plants.
Chemical control is not as effective when the caterpillars close their bags to molt or pupate. In most areas, insecticides applied in April, May and June are effective. Use insecticides containing acephate (Orthene®), Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, carbaryl (Sevin®), pyrethroids (bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, etc.), spinosad, azadirachtin, neem oil, malathion, pyrethrins or insecticidal soap. Use spray equipment that gives complete coverage of all foliage. Hire a professional exterminator if you do not have adequate equipment. For more information on these or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Individual Tickets For Designer Handbag Bingo Slated For Sale
Starting Saturday, July 1 individual tickets for Designer Handbag Bingo will be available for sale for $55 at the website listed below. There are very few individual tickets available and are not expected to last long, so those wishing to participate in the fundraiser should get tickets as soon as possible on that date.
Please note that scammers on Facebook are offering tickets for sale. These people do not have tickets. Each party is being block and reported. Any tickets returned will be sold through the link listed below.
Designer Handbag Bingo Tickets include a packet of bingo cards which are for the ten rounds of regular play, a drink ticket, and an entry card for door prizes.
Also available for purchase are additional complete game packets, extra game cards, cards for the bonus rounds, and tickets for the mystery designer handbag raffle.
A fundraiser for the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation, Designer Handbag Bingo will be held on Thursday, August 3. This annual sold out event is now in its 4th year and has raised approximately $88,000 to date.
A raffle for a mystery designer handbag valued at approximately $2,000 are also available online and anyone, attending the event or not, may purchase tickets. Tickets are $20 each and limited to 350. If not attending, the winner may pick up the handbag locally.
To learn more about the event, visit the Designer Handbag Bingo website at handbagbingo23.givesmart.com.
Last year, proceeds and donations from the event were used to fund the free mammography clinic for uninsured Hopkins County women over the age of 40. The Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit that is now in its 26 th year of serving Hopkins County.
