Four Squads in Action for Friday Gameday
Friday, Jan. 13 is a busy one for Sulphur Springs sports. Both basketball and soccer squads are all in action, with the former locked up in district play.
Wildcats soccer is the first to get the action going Friday, playing in day two of the 13th Annual Wildcat Classic Soccer Tournament in Palestine.
Sulphur Springs plays two games, first taking on host Palestine at 2 P.M. at Wildcat Stadium. The hosts come into their tourney ranked #16 in 4A according to Lethal Enforcer.
A second game at the tournament on Friday has Sulphur Springs playing Lindale.
Coach Alexi Upton and his team continue the tourney Saturday, Jan. 14 playing one, but likely more games. If men’s soccer competes well enough throughout the rest of the tourney in Palestine, they could find themselves playing for 3rd or better Saturday.
Their last scheduled game kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Wildcat Stadium at 1 P.M. against Mabank.
Sulphur Springs beat Thursday foe Mexia 1-0, ranked #3 in 4A according to Lethal Enforcer. Edgar Salazar scored on an assist from Eric Rodriguez in the lone goal in the match.
Also in tournaments on Friday, Jan. 14 is Lady Cats soccer, continuing their outing at the 2023 Pine Tree Lady Pirate Showcase.
Coach Adriana Brena and her squad face more loaded competition in day two of their tournament in Longview.
While only playing one game on Friday, Sulphur Springs may find their hands full with Tyler Legacy’s JVA team. The Lady Cats play the Lady Raiders at 2 P.M. at Lear Park 2.
Even though women’s soccer plays a JVA team, Tyler Legacy is #8 in 6A according to Lethal enforcer, so even their first JV team should give Sulphur Springs a good challenge.
The tournament wraps up Saturday, Jan. 14 with Coach Brena and her squad taking on Lancaster at Field 3 (or Lear Park 2) at 5 P.M.
Also on deck on Friday, Jan. 13 is both basketball teams now locked in to district play.
The Lady Cats are the first of two squads from Sulphur Springs to tip off on Friday, hosting Paris.
Women’s basketball is a perfect 2-0 to start their district season, having won both of their first two contests on the road at Pleasant Grove and at Pittsburg.
Following their two-game roadstead, the Lady Cats host two straight in the SSHS Main Gym, starting Friday hosting Paris. Sulphur Springs wraps up the home-stand Tuesday hosting Liberty Eylau.
Coach Bryan Jones and his team are 18-4 overall.
They look to keep the good times rolling when they host Paris on Friday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 P.M.
The men’s team starts district play Friday, Jan. 13 as they hit the road and take on Paris for their opener.
Wildcats basketball looks to start off their road-to-the-playoffs 1-0, but they have a tough challenge waiting for them in Paris.
Sulphur Springs went 0-2 this past week, playing a brutal two-game stretch on the road that saw Coach Shaver’s team take on two of the top-10 teams in the state in 4A.
The Wildcats fell in Anna 60-54 before losing in similarly tight fashion at Dallas Pinkston 80-71.
Sulphur Springs is 18-7 overall.
They no doubt hope to return to their winning ways now that district play is upon them, but falling to just talented opponents is nothing to hang your head on.
Besides, as any coach would tell you, there is no better time to challenge oneself than right before district play.
Wildcats basketball begins their road-to-the-playoffs on Friday, Jan. 13 when they play their district opener in Paris on Friday at 7:30 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Sulphur Springs Emergency Sirens Will Be Tested January 13
January 13, 2023 – Emergency sirens will be tested in Sulphur Springs at noon today by the Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Office.
The test is to gauge the reliability of the emergency warning system and is conducted to find any potential flaws in the system so they can be corrected prior to a real emergency situation. The sirens could be sounded not only for weather warnings such as tornadoes, which are the most common in the area, but also in case of any emergency that could affect the safety and lives of citizens in Sulphur Springs.
Recent tests have shown the emergency sirens to be a ready source of warning in case of emergencies such as tornados or other threats to safety.
This will only be a test.
A Dozen People Jailed In Hopkins County On Felony Warrants
At least a dozen people were jailed in Hopkins County on felony warrants in the past 10 days. Among the individuals jailed Jan. 3-13, 2023, on felony warrants were:
Deputy Terry Thompson took custody of Jessica Nicole Allen at 8:10 a.m. Jan. 12, 2023, at Lamar County jail. Thompson then transported the 34-year-old Paris woman to Hopkins County jail, where she was booked in at 9:38 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
Allen remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Isaac Foley took Debracca Joane Cork into custody at 4:20 p.m. Jan. 12, in the 8th Judicial District Court after she was sentenced to serve a commitment in an intermediate sanction facility. An ISF is “a fully-secured facility used for short-term incarceration of offenders who violate the conditions of their community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. ISFs are utilized by CSCDs for community supervision offenders and by the Parole Division for parolees and mandatory supervision offenders,” according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The offense is noted in arrest reports to have occurred on June 17, 2022. Cork was indicted on the controlled substance charge during the August 2022 Grand Jury session, according to jail reports.
Deputy P. Ryan took Delma Jefferson into custody at Bowie County jail in Texarkana, Texas and transported him to Hopkins County jail. The 23-yea-rold Nash, Texas man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 1:42 p.m. Jan. 11, 2023 on a warrant for violation of probation on an unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge.
Delmar Jatavion Jefferson remained in the county jail Jan. 12, 2023, on the charge, according to jail reports.
Deputy Thompson also took custody of Chelsea Debra Lynn Wortham, a 36-year-old Paris woman, at 8:10 a.m. Jan 12, 2023, at Lamar County jail. Wortham was transported to Hopkins County jail, where shew as booked in at 9:57 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for bond revocation on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Wortham was held in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Jan. 13, 2023, according to jail records. She was arrested on the original controlled substance charge on Aug. 24, 2022, after a police dog alerted on her truck for contraband; meth was found during a probable cause search, Deputies alleged in the woman’s 2022 arrest reports. She was indicted on the controlled substance charge during a December 2022 Grand Jury session, according to court and law enforcement reports.
HCSO deputies were made aware a warrant had been issued for Kasey Anderson Benson‘s arrest on Jan. 10, 2023. At 7:25 p.m. Tuesday, HCSO dispatchers reported receiving a 911 call advising Benson was on his way to his father’s residence. Deputies observed Benson pull into a FM 69 south residence. Deputy Bobby Osornio took the 44-year-old Como man into custody on the warrant. Benson was booked into the county jail at 8:23 p.m. Jan. 10, 2023, on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for an injury to an elderly.
Benson remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in lieu of the $250,000 bond set on the charge, according to jail records.
The passenger in a Toyota Rav 4 stopped at 2:23 a.m. Jan. 12, 2023, was found to be wanted in Harford County, Maryland. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Drew Fisher and Isaac Foley took Johnanthany Fulgham into custody and transported him to Hopkins County jail, where the 26-yea-rold Flint, Michigan man was booked in at 3:15 a.m. Thursday on the Maryland robbery, theft of property valued at $1,500-$25,000, theft scheme, possession or issuance of forged currency and obtaining goods.
Fulgham had been released from Hopkins County jail by Thursday afternoon, according to Hopkins County jail records.
HCSO Michael Chang served Dallas Diamond Chandler Holt at the county jail with a robbery warrant at 4:16 p.m. Jan. 6, 2023. He has been in custody since his arrest Nov. 9, 2022, on a warrant for violation of probation on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge and no driver’s license charge.
Bond was set at $500,000 on the probation charge and $20,000 on the robbery charge. Photo.
Deputy Ryan also transported Israel Monsivais-Silva from George Beto Unit of Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Anderson County to Hopkins County jail, where the 32-year-old Tennessee Colony man was booked in at 5:10 a.m. Jan. 10, 2023, on a warrant for bond forfeiture on a July 31, 2020 possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports. Monsivais-Silva.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Deputy P. Ryan too, Brett William Owsley into custody at 11:05 a.m. Jan. 5, 2023, at Titus County jail on a warrant for bond revocation on an abandoning or endangering with a child charge.
He remained in the county jail Thursday, Jan. 12, 2022, on the warrant, according to jail reports. His new bond was recommended to be set at $150,000 on the charge.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper G. Rodriguez stopped Ralph Zelaya Guevara at 10:45 a.m. Jan. 6, 2023, on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 141 for speeding in a Mazda Tribute. He took the man into custody after a records check showed two Tarrant County warrants. The 27-year-old Pittsburg man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:36 p.m. on the outstanding Tarrant County charges for violation of probation on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and theft of $100-$750 worth of property.
Guevara remained in Hopkins County jail until Jan. 11, 2023 on the charges, according to jail records.
HCSO Sgt. Todd Evans and Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford located Dedrick “D” Terrell Godbolt at a local bail bonds office and took him into custody on two warrants at 3:05 p.m. Jan. 3, 2023. The 22-year-old Sulphur Springs man was transported to the county jail, where he was booked in at 4 p.m. on warrants for bond forfeiture on an Aug. 25, 2022 possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana charge and a warrant for violation of probation on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge.
Godbolt remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Jan. 13, 2023, in lieu of $175,000 in bonds — $75,000 on the marijuana charge and $100,000 on the other, according to jail records.
Cumby Police Officer Justin Talley and Chief Jeff Hundley took Amanda Kay Rowe into custody at 2:22 p.m. Jan. 3, 2023, at her West Main Street residence on a felony warrant. The 36-year-old Cumby woman was booked into Hopkins county jail at 3:05 p.m. Jan. 3 on a credit or debit card abuse warrant.
Rowe spent the night in jail and was released the next day, according to jail reports.
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.
NETEX Receives “Unmodified Opinion” on Audit
The Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District (known as NETEX) Board of Directors this month received audits for past few years, heard updates from the rail operator and a took public comments.
Audit Report
Auditor indicated his reports would get NETEX caught up through Sept. 30, 2021, but that his discussion focus would be the audit for the most recent fiscal year, 2021, but noted it’s almost time for the 2022 audit. He said the other reports were very similar to the 2021 audit.
Following a change in operators as well as board members, NETEX’s finances were complied and submitted in 2022 for audit. Because he was given more than one year’s worth of finances to consider, it took longer to complete the work. Auditor Mike Ward said he also will add a budget to budget comparison to final report, but encouraged the NETEX Board to contact him with any questions they may have regarding the audit. The document was drafted the same way it would be for a city our county. Ward encouraged the NETEX Board to review the audit reports and contact him with any questions they might have. The process should be easier for the 2022 audit, even though the report will look different due to required reporting changes.
The main thing, Ward said the auditor’s independent audit report found NETEX 2021 finances to be presented fairly.
“It’s a clean, unmodified opinion, which is what you are going for and which you accomplished,” Ward said. “Everything was made available to me. I didn’t have any difficulty getting information.”
NETEX ended 2021 with about $300,000 in cash and $2.8 million in appreciated capital assets, which was factored using the only number he was able to find for assets (an actuarial report from about 2015 which contained a professional opinion), then factored in deprecation for the given number of years. The rail district ended the FY with a net position that’s unrestricted.
“At the end of the day, you ended with a net position that’s unrestricted, which is equal up to your cash which is almost $200,000. Again, that net investment of your fund balance is related to the capital asset.
As far as changes in net position from 2020 to 2021, NETEX had about $115,000-$116,000 in total operating revenue, $24,000 consultant fee in the miscellaneous category, $162,000 of operating expenses including $117,000 depreciation asset expense.
Total $4,696,000 worth asset on the books, with $1.9 million of that depreciated, which brings it the net valued down to $2,817,000. Financial statements included about $7,000 spent on travel, $9,000 on insurance, about $26,000 in legal fees and the rest was depreciation, Ward said.
The value of assets will change as improvements are made. There have been several, especially over the last 1.5 years, and others are planned. That should be reflected in future reports. NETEX Chair Cheryl Williams said the board, in cooperation with NETC, should be able to compile and provide a report for the auditor to use to more accurately reflect assets over the past couple of years. Selak said his group has tracked those improvements and depreciations and can provide them as needed for the audit and NETEX records/reports.
Williams said the budget comparisons, a budget change made in past months, and asset/depreciation information should be included in the final budget report presented for NETEX Board approval. The NETEX Board officers, along with NETC and Mitzi Y’Barbo (Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County EDC Research Analyst/NETEX Administrator), will work to get the information Ward needs to complete the audit reports, and will also attempt to compile a NETEX budget for approval. NETEX Board member Brad Johnson said he’s retired and would be willing to help Williams, Hutchins and Y’Barbo, if needed.
Right of Way
Williams reported there were not contracts RAMS has forwarded for consideration this month. She said there are a few requests that aren’t quite ready yet. Williams, who also serves as Collin County Precinct 2 Commissioner, said she has been working with the City of Lavon, RAMS and attorneys on some right-of-way agreements for road work. She also as of the Jan. 5 meetings had not received any recent updates on a Northeast Texas Farmers Coop track lease either.
Treasurer’s Report
The monthly NETEX treasurer’s report was fairly simple as there’s only been one transactions so far during the new calendar year.
Treasurer Mark Hutchins did report that NETEX in November had invoices for a total of just under $210,490 paid to Northeast Texas Connector (NETC) for bridge repairs and floating rail repair NETEX contracted with NETC to perform. Thanks was offered to NETC owner Mike Selak and crew for getting the much-needed improvements none.
That, however, brought the past month’s general account bank balance down to $518,859.23, and the amount in NETEX’s money market account was a little over $50,000 in the money market account, Hutchins reported during the Jan. 5, 2023 meeting.
NETC 2022 Update
Amanda Fernandez, Northeast Texas Connector Railroad customer service representative, presented the monthly NETC update to the NETEX Board of Directors. The monthly carload count increased by 16 cars in December of 2021 to 132 cars in December of 2022 (which was the same carload count as in November 2022 as well).The annual carload count has increased by 261, growing from 1,218 carloads traveling on the NETEX tracks January-December of 2021 to 1,479 carloads from January to December of 2022. That’s a 21% increase; the rail moved 3 million gross tons on the rail during that time as well, Fernandez reported.
“Our inbound cycle time did increase to 6 days. That’s up 4.5 days. That’s quite a jump. We did have two derailments. It didn’t really affect servicing of customers, but it did affect our interchange as far as service to customers. The derailments happened in Greenville and Sulphur Springs, and it was just a gauge issue. We had to call in a crane for the one in Sulphur Springs but the one in Greenville we were able to pick that up ourselves,” Fernandez said.
NETC replaced 40 ties from the derailments. Improvements at NETEX bridge 508.4, which was reported in November, was complete as of the Jan. 5 NETEX board meeting, as well as bridge 507.19. Both are in the Weaver area. No brush cutting was performed by NETC in December, because the brush cutting machine was engaged in the bridge repair work. A third bridge, 509.67 has also been completed, Miguel Fernandez with NETC also reported.
Selak said discussion has continued to determine what information and documentation would be needed to possibly apply through Texas Department of Transportation for what is anticipated would be around $30 million in grant funding to make needed repairs on the rail to get it up to Class 2 standards along the entire line. A sizeable grant match would be required for any entity receiving a portion of the transportation funds that have been designated by the federal government for road, rail and other transportation improvements.
The NETC operator also said he anticipated being in Kansas this week to speak with Kansas City Southern representatives about possible future opportunities and concerns for NETEX and NETC as operators.
Public Comments
Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director reported the EDC will open bids on the building for a weigh house today and award the successful bid for the transload facility being built on EDC property in Sulphur Springs at the EDC meeting Jan. 23, 2023. NETEX operator Northeast Texas Connector (Freedom Rail Group) will use the facility to load and unload, and weigh cars shipped through Sulphur Springs along the NETEX line.
Sulphur Springs Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski attended the meeting, at the invitation of Board member Brad Johnson, to address the board during the citizens comments portion of the meeting.
Niewiadomski sought guidance regarding the NETEX Board of Director’s permitting or other process for a developer to attain permission to run a sewer line under the track. Niewiadomski noted the developer for Ladera RV Resort which, as planned, will wrap around behind the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center from Loop 301 to Jefferson Street. The property abuts the railroad on one side. In order to tap into the existing sewer main, the developer will need to bore under the NETEX tracks which runs along one side of the property. Niewiadomski said he realizes the board cannot consider the request at that time because it’s not on the agenda as an action item, he sought information about the steps the the developer and potentially the city will need to take for such a request. RAMS is hired to handle NETEX’s right-of-way matters, so the request would need to go through RAMS. Then, if RAMS is satisfied Ladera’s request meets all requirements, RAMS would then submit it to NETEX Board for approval. NETEX Board indicated they would give the city official the appropriate contact information so the developer can submit the bore request.
FM 71 Motorcycle Crash In Hopkins County Results 1 Death
A FM 71 motorcycle crash on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, resulted in one death, according to Texas Department of Public Safety reports.
Preliminary investigation indicates a man was riding a 2007 Honda VTX 1300 motorcycle on FM 71, just east of the Sulphur Bluff community in Hopkins County at 1:57 p.m. Jan. 11, 2023. The eastbound bike ran off the road going around a corner and struck a concrete culvert. The operator died at the hospital after being transported, Texas DPS Highway Patrol Trooper Cody Sagnibene noted in the preliminary crash report.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer responded at Christus Mother Francis Hospital in Sulphur Springs, where he pronounced 73-year-old Bobby Wilson of Lone Oak dead.
The fatal FM 71 motorcycle crash remains under investigation by DPS.
Meal-A-Day’s New Director
January 12, 2023 – Meal-A-Day, a non-profit organization, welcomes its newest director Amanda Dietlin. She hit the ground running and is being welcomed with open arms. Dietlin has taken up the mantle of her predecessors Cecil Toenniges and Tina Philips, with determination and commitment to helping all those in need.
Dietlin was originally from Phoenix, AZ before moving to Texas in March 2022. Amanda started working as the director of the Program on January 6th, 2023 and has since expressed her excitement to help those who need help. Dietlin has also expressed her need to spread the word to the community to attempt to find those willing to help with volunteer work. She plans to run the program to the full extent of her abilities and insure the continued success of Meal-A-Day.
Dietlin has shared her feelings of enjoyment to work with her team members. They all work together to make meals and deliver food into the hands of those who need it.
The Meal-A-Day program delivers meals to seniors in the Sulphur Springs area. If you want to apply for this service call the Sulphur Springs Senior Center at (903) 885-1661 and ask to be connected with the Meal-A-Day Director.
Thursday Gameday Brings Both Soccer Squads Beginning Tournaments
Thursday, Jan. 12 sees both soccer teams from Sulphur Springs beginning three-day tournaments.
Coach Alexi Upton and his Wildcats kickoff first on Thursday, Jan. 12 in Palestine at the 13th Annual Wildcat Classic Soccer Tournament.
No. 15 in 4A Sulphur Springs soccer gets an action-packed three days started when they play group A foe Mexia, #19 in 4A, at 1 P.M. at Wildcat Stadium.
Game two does not come until Friday, Jan. 13 but the Wildcats take on host #16 in 4A Palestine (according to Lethal Enforcer) at 2 P.M. on their home turf. Game three, also on Friday, has men’s soccer playing Lindale at 5:30 P.M.
Saturday definitively brings one game, but if Sulphur Springs has a solid outing throughout their time in Palestine they could play for second third place overall, or even for the championship.
Wildcats soccer takes on Mabank at 1 P.M. on Saturday, Jan. 14 with potentially another game to be played that day.
Coach Upton’s squad is 2-1-1 after a solid outing last weekend hosting the 4A Elite Invitational. Sulphur Springs fell in the semifinals in their lone loss in the tournament.
Lady Cats soccer also plays in a three-day tournament, heading to Longview for the 2023 Pine Tree Lady Pirate Showcase.
Their first game in the tourney has the Lady Cats playing Spring Hill at 2 P.M. at Field 2 of Lear Park.
Game two on Friday, Jan. 13 has Sulphur Springs taking on Tyler Legacy’s JVA.
That game takes place at Field No. 3 (or Lear Park 2) with a 2 P.M. kickoff like their Thursday match.
Make no mistake though, with the Lady Raiders at #8 in 6A according to Lethal Enforcer, even their JV team could give a solid showing.
The final game for Lady Cats soccer comes Saturday, Jan. 14 as Sulphur Springs takes on Lancaster at Field 3 again, but with a later kickoff of 5 P.M.
Coach Adriana Brena and her squad come into the tournament ranked #3 in the state in 4A. Last weekend saw the Lady Cats go 1-2 against three strong challengers in Carthage, Hallsville and Jacksonville.
Sulphur Springs is 1-3 overall.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Government Considering Regulating Your Gas Kitchen Stove
In December 2022, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an agency charged with protecting the public from dangerous household products, determined that natural gas stoves are bad for the environment. The report points to indoor air quality concerns.
Inside the home, stoves are prone to leaking methane into you house. Poorly maintained valves, pipes and hoses and pilot lights that don’t remain lit are atop the list. Besides the fact that burning natural gas produces carbon dioxide.
I’ll NEVER give up my gas stove. If the maniacs in the White House come for my stove, they can pry it from my cold dead hands. COME AND TAKE IT!!
Ronny Jackson Congressman for #TX13 | Former White House Physician & Retired Navy Rear Admiral | Texan, Veteran, Physician, Leader
Ask any chef or would be chef about their choice between gas or electric for stop tops, and the majority will always say gas. Gas gets hotter faster, and with experience provides better cooking results.
This latest environmental focused report comes just as power grids across the nation are being tested. Mandates for all electric cars and now a vote by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to ban the sale of new gas furnaces and water heaters beginning in 2030 are leading the charge. California homes will be required to install zero-emissions alternatives, like electric heaters.
Alexander Hoehn-Saric is Chair of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Hoehn-Saric said. “But to be clear, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so.”
When And What Approaches To Consider When Pruning Shade Trees
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hopkins County, m-[email protected]
All landscape and shade trees require pruning at some time during their life. Trees may be pruned to:
- Promote plant health by removing dead or dying branches injured by disease, severe insect infestation, animals, storms, or other adverse mechanical damage such as crossing and rubbing branches; maintain the intended purposes in a landscape, by encouraging flower and fruit development, maintaining a dense hedge, or maintaining a desired tree form or special garden forms;
- Improve aesthetics by controlling plant size or removing unwanted branches, waterspouts, suckers, and undesirable fruiting structures;
- Protect people and property by removing dead or hazardous branches such as weak or narrow-angled tree branches that overhang homes, parking areas, and sidewalks;
- Increase visibility by eliminating branches that interfere with street lights, traffic signals, overhead wires, or obscure vision at intersections; and
- Improve security around the home by removing branches that obscure the entry to your home.
Pruning can best be used to encourage trees to develop a strong structure and reduce the likelihood of damage during severe weather. Pruning for form can be especially important on open-grown trees that do very little self-pruning. All woody plants shed branches in response to shading and competition. Branches that are poorly attached may be broken off by wind and accumulation of snow and ice. Branches removed by such natural forces often result in large, ragged wounds that rarely seal. Pruning as a cultural practice can be used to supplement or replace these natural processes and increase the strength and longevity of plants.
Pruning Approaches
Proper pruning cuts are made at a node, the point at which one branch or twig attaches to another. In the spring of the year growth begins at buds, and twigs grow until a new node is formed. The length of a branch between nodes is called an internode. The most common types of pruning are:
- Crownthinning primarily for hardwoods, is the selective removal of branches to increase light penetration and air movement throughout the crown of a tree.
- Crown raising is the practice of removing branches from the bottom of the crown of a tree to provide clearance for pedestrians, vehicles, buildings, lines of site, or to develop a clear stem for timber production.
- Crown reduction pruning is most often used when a tree has grown too large for its permitted space. This method, sometimes called drop crotch pruning, is preferred to topping because it results in a more natural appearance, increases the time before pruning is needed again, and minimizes stress.
Pruning Cuts
Pruning cuts should be made so that only branch tissue is removed and stem tissue is not damaged. At the point where the branch attaches to the stem, branch and stem tissues remain separate, but are contiguous. If only branch tissues are cut when pruning, the stem tissues of the tree will probably not become decayed, and the wound will seal more effectively.
Pruning Live Branches
To find the proper place to cut a branch, look for the branch collar that grows from the stem tissue at the underside of the base of the branch. On the upper surface, there is usually a branch bark ridge that runs (more or less) parallel to the branch angle, along the stem of the tree. A proper pruning cut does not damage either the branch bark ridge or the branch collar.
A proper cut begins just outside the branch bark ridge and angles down away from the stem of the tree, avoiding injury to the branch collar. Make the cut as close as possible to the stem in the branchaxil, but outside the branch bark ridge, so that stem tissue is not injured and the wound can seal in the shortest time possible. The second cut should be outside the first cut, all the way through the branch, leaving a short stub. The stub is then cut just outside the branch bark ridge/branch collar, completing the operation.
Pruning Dead Branches
Prune dead branches in much the same way as live branches. Making the correct cut is usually easy because the branch collar and the branch bark ridge can be distinguished from the dead branch, because they continue to grow. Make the pruning cut just outside of the ring of woundwood tissue that has formed, being careful not to cause unnecessary injury.
Drop Crotch Cuts
A proper cut begins just above the branch bark ridge and extends through the stem parallel to the branch bark ridge. Usually, the stem being removed is too large to be supported with one hand, so the three cut method should be used. With the first cut, make a notch on the side of the stem away from the branch to be retained, well above the branch crotch. Begin the second cut inside the branch crotch, staying well above the branch bark ridge, and cut through the stem above the notch. Cut the remaining stub just inside the branch bark ridge through the stem parallel to the branch bark ridge.
To prevent the abundant growth of sprouts on the stem below the cut, or dieback of the stem to a lower lateral branch, make the cut at a lateral branch that is at least one-third of the diameter of the stem at their union.
For more information please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Snowflake Campaign Funds New Critical Care Bed
By Kayla Price, Executive Director, Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation
Sulphur Springs, Texas – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is offering a huge thank you to the local community for its support of this year’s Snowflake Campaign! The campaign raised over $7,500 and recognized over 75 individuals with snowflakes.
As a means of saying “thank you,” the Foundation is using funds raised through the Snowflake Campaign as well as a matching gift of $10,000 from the CHRISTUS Foundation and a $7,700 gift from the health care providers to purchase one new state-of-the-art critical care bed to be used by CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Sulphur Springs’ ICU department.
“We are so excited to have this new bed in ICU! This bed really helps patients to heal and improves outcomes. Thank you to the Foundation and all the donors who have made this possible,” shared Alyssa Flatt, ICU director of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
This new bed will provide the latest technology for patient care and safety. Not only does it protect the patient by reducing bedsores and fall risks, but it also keeps both patient and hospital associate safe by aiding with turning and repositioning of the patient. In addition, it helps to calm the patient by playing music, and it can speak to the patient in 26 languages.
The Foundation will continue to raise funds for four additional critical care beds. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs is also purchasing five new beds so that all ten ICU rooms will feature a new critical care bed.
Foundation Board Chair Maleta Reynolds offered her appreciation to the community for its support. “No matter how great our needs have been the past twenty-five years, the citizens of Hopkins County have provided funds and encouragement. Thank you to those who donated to the Snowflake Campaign this year. Each of those gifts has made this new ICU bed possible.”
The Stryker Critical Care Bed normally costs $34,900 each, however CMFH-SS was able to negotiate a discount bringing the cost to $21,900 each. With the funds raised through the Snowflake Campaign, the matching gift and the health care providers donation, Hopkins County citizens will benefit from a new ICU bed.
If you are interested in donating toward the purchase of the remaining four critical care beds, please contact the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, an IRS 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization, at 903-438-4799.
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