Native Grasses, Forbs Can Help Cattle Producers, Rural Landowners Reduce Operational Costs
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Office, Hopkins County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, [email protected]
Many cattle producers and other rural landowners are looking for ways to reduce the amount of money and labor invested in their operations. It can be costly to grow bermudagrass because it requires regular fertilization to produce high quality forage and hay.
Many warm-season native grasses and forbs produce enough forage, with adequate protein, to meet the needs of livestock without expensive fertilization. Little bluestem, Indian-grass, switchgrass and others are considered excellent forage for livestock and hay production.
The native bunchgrasses make ideal habitat for wildlife that depend on these plants for food, cover and nesting. The bare ground between bunchgrasses makes excellent travel and feeding areas for grassland birds and also allows a variety of native forbs to germinate and grow.
Many landowners are also interested in enhancing wildlife habitat on their properties. The Texas Property Tax Code now allows landowners to retain their agricultural tax valuation if they manage and/or restore their land for wildlife habitat, and this includes the restoration of native grasses. This tax incentive may extend to owners of smaller tracts that are often created when large ranches are sold and subdivided, but there are different acreage minimums in different regions of the state.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
10 People Arrested On Controlled Substance And Marijuana Charges
At least 10 people were arrested on controlled substance and marijuana charges in the past 4 days. Including a Brashear man accused of crashing a vehicle into a parked car; a Gainesville pair alleged to have marijuana, methamphetamine, ammunition and two pistols when stopped near a day care; five people found in possession of two bags of meth when stopped on I-30; four men and a woman caught with contraband on I-30; and a Sulphur Springs woman who reportedly arrived at the courthouse with pills for which she had not been issued a prescription, according to arrest reports.
West Industrial Drive Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Dustin Green and Thad Cook reported stopping a Nissan Altima at 9:40 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2022, on West Industrial Drive for a traffic violation. Upon contact with the driver and passenger, identified as Sebastian Cain Page and Fabian Chandler Ruiz, Green reported smelling a strong marijuana odor emitting rom the car and observed contraband in plain view in the car.
Thus, police had the 21-year-old Gainesville men exit the vehicle and detained them in handcuffs while officials conducted a probable cause search of the car. Police reported two loaded firearms, suspected marijuana, a glass pipe with a crystal-like substance in it, two boxes of ammunition among the items discovered.
Before transporting him to jail, police asked Page if he had any other contraband on him. He denied having any. While being dressed out in the jail, however, he was found to have two baggies of a crystal-like substance which weighed 0.6 gram. The suspected marijuana and packaging weighed 12 ounces, Green alleged in arrest reports.
Page was booked into Hopkins County jail just after 1 a.m. Monday, March 14, 2022, on possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana, prohibited substance in a correctional facility, possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Ruiz was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana. Drug-free zone enhancements were added to the marijuana charges due to the car’s proximity to a day care at the time of the traffic stop, according to jail reports.
Page and Ruiz remained in Hopkins County jail Monday evening. Page’s bonds were set at $10,000 per charge on the felony marijuana and prohibited substance charges and a $5,000 bond on the felony controlled substance charge. Ruiz’s bonds totaled $20,000 – $10,000 each on the marijuana and firearm charges, according to jail reports.
Interstate 30 West Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite reported stopping a Dodge Avenger at 4:10 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2022, on Interstate 30 west near mile marker for a traffic violation. Deputies Kevin Lester and Dan Turrentine assisted.
Upon contact the five occupants were identified as 24-year-old Carlos Cordova-Segovia, 18-year-old Star Herrera-Mungia , 29-year-old Freddy Victorio-Herrera, 22-year-old Enoc Ventura-De La Cruz and 22-year-old Gabriel Ventura-De La Cruz.
Cordova-Segovia and Herrera-Mungia listed a Fort Worth address. The three other men reportedly told deputies they do not know their address. All except Herrera-Mungia were reported to to have been born in Mexico, according to arrest reports.
Fite reported smelling a marijuana odor emitting from the red car. A probable cause search of the car and contents allegedly revealed two clear baggies of suspected methamphetamine. All five occupants were taken into custody and transported to jail for further investigation, Fite alleged in arrest reports.
After being read their rights, all five not only denied ownership of the contraband but claimed they had no knowledge of the suspected methamphetamine at all, Fite alleged in arrest reports. The substance field tested positive as meth and weighed 2 grams, including packaging, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
All five were booked into jail around 7:30 p.m. Sunday on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest and jail reports. All five remained in Hopkins County jail Monday evening in lieu of $10,000 bond on the felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
College Street Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Dustin Green reported stopping a Lincoln MKZ at 2:57 p.m. Saturday, March 12, 2022, on College Street for a traffic violation. Upon contact with the driver, identified in arrest reports as Laura Marie Cook, Green noted the 38-year-old Como woman to be extremely nervous, perhaps because of the crystal-like substance he noticed lying on the driver’s side floorboard.
(HCSO jail photo)
Green had Cook exit the red sedan. She agreed to let him search the car. Green reported finding a black bag with a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine and two plastic baggies containing a crystal-like substance on the driver’s seat.
Cook was taken into custody at 3:10 p.m. Saturday. After her car was inventories then towed from the location, Cook was transported to Hopkins County jail. The substance in the baggies weighed 5.4 grams, resulting in Cook being booked into Hopkins County jail at 4:54 p.m. March 12, 2022, on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a suspected Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Cook, who jail reports show to also be known by Laura Shaw, was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, March 13, 2022, on a $20,000 bond on the felony controlled substance charge.
Lee Street DWI Crash
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Thad Cook reported hearing a loud noise at 11:06 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2022, while patrolling and soon discovered a crash that had apparently just occurred. A Chrysler 200 had crashed into a parked car on Lee Street. The driver of the Chrysler was identified as 27-year-old Edgar Campos of Brashear.
Officer Cook reported seeing open alcohol containers and a bag containing a green leafy substance he believed to be marijuana in plain view in the vehicle Campos had been driving. Campos admitted to consuming alcoholic beverages, but refused to perform standard field sobriety tests. Believing based on is interactions with Campos that the Brashear man failed to possess the minimum mental and physical faculties to safely operate a vehicle in Texas, Cook placed Campos under arrest at 11:34 p.m. Friday.
Campos then refused to provide a breath sample for analysis. The car was impounded. Campos was transported to the sheriff’s office to be held while officer sought a warrant requiring a blood sample from Campos. The 27-year-old then was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, where a blood specimen was taken per the search warrant signed by a judge.
Campos was transported to Hopkins County jail. The suspected marijuana weighed 4.87 ounces. A records check show the Brashear man to have two prior DWI convictions – one for an Oct. 6, 2012 DWI with open container arrest and another for a Nov. 22, 2014, DWI with open container charge. An outstanding warrant for driving while license invalid was also discovered, according to jail and arrest reports.
Thus, Campos was booked into the county jail at 2:22 a.m. Saturday, March 12, 2022, on a third or more driving while intoxicated charge, possession of marijuana and a warrant for driving while license invalid. He was released from Hopkins County jail later Saturday, March 12, 2022, on a $10,000 bond on the third-degree felony DWI-third or more offense charge and a $5,000 bond on the felony possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
Courthouse Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Josh Davis requested for Deputy Aaron Chaney to respond at Hopkins County Courthouse to assist with an arrest. Upon arrival, Chaney contacted Davis and Courtney Louise Bunch at 8:59 a.m. Thursday, March 10, 2022.
Davis advised Bunch entered the courthouse, where all people entering the courthouse are subject to search. Davis located 2 1/2 blue bars of suspected to be Xanax or Alprazolam during a search of her wallet. She told Davis she didn’t have a prescription for the pills, Chaney alleged in arrest reports.
Chaney took possession on the alleged contraband and placed the 33-year-old Sulphur Springs woman into handcuffs and transported her to jail. After releasing Bunch to jail staff, Davis logged the evidence; the bars weighed approximately 0.65 gram. Because of the courthouse’s proximity to a church day care the location is a drug-free zone. Thus, Bunch was booked into Hopkins County jail at 10:40 a.m. March 10 on a possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. She was also served with a warrant for bond revocation on a theft of property valued at $100 or more but less than $750 charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
She was released from Hopkins County jail Friday, March 11, 2022, on a $2,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and $3,000 on the June 10, 2021, theft charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Helping Ukraine: CHRISTUS Is Accepting Donations To Assist In Kharkiv, Ukraine
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS® Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro| Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Helping Ukraine
In light of the news of the attacks on Ukraine, we would like to extend an opportunity to aid the community of Kharkiv (a city in northeast Ukraine). One of the hospital associates has a spouse who is from this city, and their family is still there. The hospital has been able to send some medical supplies.
In addition, and thanks to the generosity of many others, we have been able to set up a fund through our Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation to raise money and send it directly to aid this city. To donate to this effort, go to Online Giving (christushealth.org) and select ‘Helping Ukraine’ in the dropdown box (Under “Designation” on the form).
Events
Local Fitness Court – Grand Opening
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs is a proud supporter of the new local Outdoor Fitness Court located in Pacific Park. Due to the threat of inclement weather, this event was postponed. Please stay tuned for the new date!
Community Health Day
In partnership with CHRISTUS Health, Columbia Lodge #81 held a Community Health Day event on Saturday, March 12, 2022 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the HW Grays Building at Pacific Park. The event was free to all, and included 6 physician speakers and free lab work, as well as a complimentary breakfast. The turnout was great for the first year, and we look forward to making this an annual event. A special thank you to Bryan Vaughn and the Columbia Lodge members for volunteering and organizing a great event.
Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation Lights of Life Gala 2022
The Lights of Life Gala is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight at the Civic Center. This year’s theme, “Under the Big Top,” reflects our desire for some fun and frivolity after a long season of hardship. The gala promises to be another dazzling evening of fine dining, dancing and bidding on amazing live and silent auction items.
This year’s Lights of Life Gala chairs are fourth generation Hopkins County natives, sisters Markeda Fisher and Kayla Price Mitchell.
Shannon Barker, Foundation Executive Director shared “I am thrilled to be working with Markeda and Kayla. When they arrived as the bearded ladies to reveal the theme, Under the Big Top, I knew we were in good hands! They keep everyone laughing, but also have the experience and relationships to ensure a successful event. Their impressive history and dedication to Hopkins County is evidenced by their past and present community involvement. We are thankful they feel the Healthcare Foundation is a worthy cause to invest their efforts in.”
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please call the Foundation office at 903-438-4799.
**UPDATED – COVID Vaccine Clinics
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will no longer offer the COVID Vaccine Clinic every Friday morning.
However, as of the week of March 7-11, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily, Net Health will be back offering Pediatric and Adult COVID vaccines. This vaccine clinic is located at the MMU tents behind the hospital. No appointment is necessary. Subsequently, Net Health will continue to come every four weeks until September to provide COVID vaccines.
Hospital Visitation
Please note the following guidelines:
- Visitors must acquire masks themselves prior to entering our facility; cloth masks are acceptable. Masks must cover both the nose and the mouth. Visitors must remain masked during their time in the hospital.
- An adult must accompany minor-age visitors, be free of symptoms, and able to comply with masking and hygiene expectations throughout the visit.
- Emergency Department entrance open 24/7
- Main Entrance open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
- Gift Shop open
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Types of Visitors:
- COVID receiving aerosol treatments: via tele-visitation only;
- COVID not receiving aerosol treatments: 1 Essential support person for the duration of hospital stay – Essential support person will be given a visible wrist band for identification purposes;
- ICU/ER: 1 Essential support person only;
- All other patients may have 1 Essential support person and 1 visitor (up to 2 persons in room at a time)
- Types of Visitors:
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – March 7-13, 2022
Winnsboro Police Department each week provides a media report with information about department activity for the last 7 days. WPD activity for the week of March 7-13, 2022 included:
Arrests
- Sarah Moses, 35 years of age, of Quitman, was arrested on 3-11-2022 on a Wood County Warrant for aggravated assault and a Comal County warrant for condition release violation on a driving while intoxicated enhanced.
- Javier Vazquez, 40 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 3-13-2022 for driving while intoxicated.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 145 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 47 citations and 36 warnings during this reporting period.
Commissioners Agree To Abandon Portion Of CR 4746, Set County Clean Up Days, Approve 2 Plat Requests
Hopkins County Commissioners Court agreed to abandon a portion of County Road 4746, set the date and time for county clean up days and approved two plat requests during the regular court session Monday morning, March 14, 2022.’
CR 4746 Road Closure, Abandonment
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price explained that the section of County Road 4746 that a property owner has petition to have closed and abandoned by the county is a dead end dirt road that has only been bladed but otherwise not maintained. The person asking for the closure and abandonment owns both tracts of land on either side of the road.
Price noted that all of the other steps to close and abandon a road have been followed, including obtaining the number of signatures from other residents of the area indicating they would not be adversely affected by the change nor would to they disapprove the request. The person submitting the application for the change was planning to attend the court session, but was in Montana with his mother.
The Precinct 4 commissioner made the motion, which Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley seconded, that the Commissioners Court approve the request to close the segment of CR 4746 and abandon it to the property owner on either side of it. The court approved the request on a 4-0 vote; Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker continues to be out due to illness.
County Clean Up Days
Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved April 29-30 as County Clean Up Days. County residents may bring personal household trash, brush and certain appliances to the county barn of their precinct. This will be the week following the City of Sulphur Springs’ Spring Clean Up Days, which are set from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 18-23.
County residents may dispose their items from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 29, and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 30. No toxic or hazardous materials will be accepted. That means no tires, no shingles, no chemicals, no household hazardous wastes, no pesticides, no paint and no appliances containing Freon.
Commissioners plan to have some staff available to assist people when they arrive, but noted those bringing larger items to discard should be prepared to help off load them.
Also, any metal items donated during the Spring clean up days will be scrapped, with funds received again designated to benefit the county volunteer fire departments.
Typically, the commissioners recommend not pull up with gooseneck cattle trailers packed with items to be discarded due to difficulty getting them in and unloading.
The four county precinct barns will serve as collection sites for the Hopkins County Clean Up Days. The barns can be found at the following locations:
- Precinct 1 Barn – 5516 State Highway 19 south, Sulphur Springs
- Precinct 2 Barn – 12080 State Highway 11 east, Como
- Precinct 3 Barn – 583 County Road 3564, Dike
- Precinct 4 Barn – FM 2653, Cumby, 1.7 mile south of State Highway 11 west
May 7 Special Election
As is required County Judge Robert Newsom called for the May 7 Special Constitutional Amendment Election per the Governor’s Order. The Commissioners Court also approved the order for the election. The election for two propositions which could impact taxes will be held in conjunction with any school and municipal elections that may be called.
Sulphur Springs ISD is holding an election, asking district voters to cast ballots either for or against a $93 million bond for school improvements, including a new Travis elementary school, and a new career and technical center and fine arts additions at high school. The City of Sulphur Springs was able to cancel the City Council Election, and Sulphur Springs and Yantis school district canceled their trustees election because the candidates were unopposed by the seats each sought.
Early voting will continue to be conducted in the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace’s courtroom, located inside the Hopkins County Courthouse Annex Building at 128 G Jefferson St., April 25-May 3, 2022. With the election following from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7 at six consolidates voting center instead of 12. They include:
- Voting Precinct 1 – 1 Sulphur Springs Middle School cafeteria, 835 Wildcat Way, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482;
- Voting Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Courtroom, 128 G Jefferson Street, Sulphur Springs;
- Voting Precinct 3 – Hopkins County Courthouse first floor courtroom, 118 Church Street, Sulphur Springs;
- Voting Precinct 4 – Hopkins County Civic Center, West Hall, 1200 Houston Street, Sulphur Springs;
- Voting Precinct 11 – Cumby Municipal Building meeting room, 100 East Main Street, Cumby; and
- Voting Precinct 1, Como-Pickton CISD art room, 13017 TX Hwy 11 East, Como.
(Art Room)
For information about the two Proposed Texas constitution amendments, click here. To read or download a copy of the Governor’s order, click here. Additional voter information may be found on the Voter Information link on the Hopkins County website, https://www.hopkinscountytx.org/.
Plat, Replat Requests
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin noted that two property owners sold land, one piece to the other and have filed a motion to have it re-platted in Honeysuckle Estates, and recommended the court approve the request. Price seconded the motion which received approval of the Commissioners Court.
A preliminary plat for Oak Grove Subdivision too was submitted for court approval. Price said as he understands it, the planned subdivision is located in both Precinct 4 and Precinct 1, at the crossroads of the two. The Precinct 4 Commissioner said he has gone out to look at it, but didn’t think Barker has had the chance to do so. Price said he did not have any problem with the part in Precinct 4.
The preliminary plat appears to be in good order. Price and Fire Marshal Andy Endsley have conference with the developer via Zoom and neither had any issue at that time with the proposal.
County Clerk Tracy Smith said the request is preliminary. The applicants do have all of the required paperwork in.
Price made a motion to approve the preliminary plat for Oak Grove Subdivision. Anglin seconded the motion, which received full approval from the two other court members present as well.
Property Disposal
Sheriff Lewis Tatum noted that the department has had a hard time finding vehicles, and plan to trade out one of the criminal investigations division vehicles. He asked the Court to allow a check to be written out the seizure funds instead of the department budget.
“We are writing a check for $7,050 out of your seizure money so that it’s at no cost to the county. They are trading in a vehicle, and you had paid for the vehicle you are trading in also,” Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook said.
“Yes, we paid for it out of the seizure fund also,” Tatum affirmed.
“They are disposing of it though. It’s on county inventory, so they just need to put that in the record that they are getting rid of the vehicle,” Aulsbrook said. “It’s a 2020.”
Tatum noted that the vehicles are on a three-year replacement cycle. The department after considerable searching, has found a suitable vehicle. It will cost more than the department normally pays, but due to the shortage, Tatum said there’s really not much choice in that.
Aulsbrook noted that the Chief Deputy had ordered the vehicle a few months ago, but only received a call Monday morning notifying him that the vehicle was expected to be delivered today and the trade in collected.
Tatum said the department has two Explorers for K-9 units, but were unable to find any Tahoes. The Tahoe the department is purchasing for CID is not a police edition interceptor, just a normal Tahoe with 4-wheel drive. The two Fords used by the K-9 officers are interceptors.
Anglin made a motion, which Bartley seconded, and the two other court members approved, for disposal of the vehicle.
Other Business
The Como, Cumby, Miller Grove, North Hopkins/South Sulphur, Sulphur Bluff and Tira Volunteer Fire Department turned in to county officials agreements for the 2021-2022 year. They were submitted for the record. The five other departments had turned their contracts and they were submitted for the records at at a prior court meeting.
The court also voted unanimously to pay the bills, and approve revenues, expenses, payroll and financial statements as presented and approved the consent agenda, which included:
- Meeting minutes from Feb. 14 and March 4 court sessions;
- Spectrum/Charter’s request to construct and place meter base poles or ground mount meter bases on County Road 3404 and County Road 4760; and
- Oncor Electric’s request for a service order.
Dike resident Michele Barnes addressed the court during public forum regarding her displeasure that what she called a “legal loophole” was found and the case filed by Cynthia Martin was dismissed by a judge.
Wildcats Baseball Has Tough Outing in Royse City Tournament
Baseball completed their final tournament of the spring season this weekend in Royse City, but struggled against the competition, going 0-4 Thursday and Saturday.
The tourney was originally scheduled to run regular baseball/softball tournament schedule of Thursday-Saturday, but inclement weather forced Friday’s games to be pushed back to Saturday, cancelling Saturday’s scheduled games.
With that, the Wildcats participation was limited to three games over two days.
First, taking on Melissa and falling to the Cardinals. The second tourney contest on the day Coach Hammack’s team took on the host Royse City, falling to the Bulldogs 8-0.
Friday originally had the Wildcats duke it out with Ennis and Naaman Forest, but cold and freezing weather forced the host to push back Friday’s games for Saturday, cancelling all contests originally scheduled for Saturday.
With that, Coach Hammack and his squad on Saturday, Mar. 12 took on Ennis and Naaman Forest, a school the Wildcats faced and beat in last weekend’s Wylie East tournament.
Unfortunately for Sulphur Springs, the Rangers bested the Wildcats this time around, beating Sulphur Springs 3-1 on Saturday to end tourney season for baseball.
Sulphur Springs also fell in their first contest on Saturday, losing to Ennis 4-1.
Baseball went 0-4 Thursday and Saturday, completing their final tournament of the spring season. Now, Coach Jerrod Hammack and his squad shift their focus to district play.
The Wildcats enter district season with a 3-8 record.
Tuesday has baseball beginning their district season at home for only their second home game on the regular season.
Wildcats baseball tees off their district season on Tuesday, Mar. 15 at Wildcat Park versus Mount Pleasant at 7:15 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.
Men’s Powerlifting Finish 2nd at Regional Meet, Sending Four Wildcats to State
Sulphur Springs had an incredibly successful outing at the 5A Division 1 Region 3 Championship Powerlifting meet held Thursday, Mar. 10 at Whitehouse.
Two Wildcats finished in the top two, qualifying for state, with two more finishing with qualifying totals Thursday in the Regional meet.
They too make the trek to Abilene later this month for the state meet held Friday and Saturday, Mar. 25-26.
Men’s powerlifting finished 2nd as a team at the 5A Division 1 Region 3 Championship.
One of the Wildcats moving on to lift at the state meet is Juan Hernandez, winning the 132 weight class squatting 455 pounds and benching 240.
Hernandez dead lifted 510 pounds, setting a Regional deadlift record that has stood over 30 years since 1991.
- Abe Banueloz, also in the 132 weight class, placed 12th in the designation
The second athlete from men’s powerlifting to move on to the state meet held in Abilene is Matt Mitchell. The junior placed 2nd in 181 squatting 555 and benching 325 pounds.
Bet Hatcher of 198 got 5th, finishing with a state qualifying total.
Chad Maynard in 220 got the same result Thursday at Whitehouse.
Both of the aforementioned Wildcats move on to state.
In the 114 weight class, Max Williamson placed 3rd squatting 320 and bench pressing 195 pounds.
Another Wildcat to place top seven, Sean Dial (308), squatted 550 pounds and bench pressed 335 Thursday.
Colt Silman of 148 got seventh at the Regional meet, squatting and benching 400 and 240 pounds, respectively.
Juan Santacruz was a scratch Thursday at Whitehouse.
On the women’s side, two Lady Cats head to state: Machelle Allen and Haylee Schultz, who lift at the three day meet Thursday-Saturday, Mar. 17-19
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.
Commissioners Court To Consider Closing Portion Of CR 4746, Setting Clean Up Days
Hopkins County Commissioner Court is set to consider closing a portion of CR 4746, setting the county clean up days and two plat requests during the regular court session Monday, March 14, 2022.
Submitted for court approval at the meeting are an application and a petition to close and abandon a portion of County Road 4746.
The Commissioners Court have been asked to consider a preliminary plat for Oak Grove Subdivision as well as a replat of Honeysuckle Estates Lot 14 Phase One and Lot 37 Phase 3.
The Commissioners Court too will be asked to consider setting the annual County Clean Up Days. Proposed are Friday and Saturday, April 29-30.
As is required the agenda shows the county judge officially ordering a May 7, 2022, Constitutional Amendment Special Election. Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Feb. 16 issued a proclamation setting May 7 as the date for the special election for two propositions, which has the potential to impact local school taxes. The judge is required to order the election, a formality for it to be on the county ballot.
The two constitutional amendments were proposed by two joint resolutions, submitted by the 87th Texas Legislature, Second Called Session, and the 87th Texas Legislature, Third Called Session, of the State of Texas.
According to the Governor’s proclamation, the proposals are to be as follows:
STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION No. 1
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for the reduction of the amount of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for general elementary and secondary public school purposes on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any statutory reduction from the preceding tax year in the maximum compressed rate of the maintenance and operations taxes imposed for those purposes on the homestead.”
STATE OF TEXAS PROPOSITION No. 2
“The constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $25,000 to $40,000.”
On Feb. 14, 2022, the Commissioners Court agreed to consolidate voter precincts from 12 to six for the May 7 special election. Early voting will continue to be conducted in the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace’s courtroom, located inside the Hopkins County Courthouse Annex Building on Jefferson St. April 25-May 3, 2022.
The court will consider approving agreements with volunteer fire departments who have turned them in since Feb. 14. The deadline for VFDs to get their agreements signed and back in to the county was before the end of the first week in February. Only five of the county’s VFDs had returned them by the Feb. 14, 2022 Commissioners Court meeting. All of those agreements were approved and accepted by the court. County officials planned to reach out to the six other departments regarding the documents.
Fire protection agreements stipulate what the VFDs agree to in exchange for certain funding and other benefits provided by the county. For instance, the court reimburses insurance costs, fuel costs, and provides a stipend to each VFD as agreed upon in the agreement to assist with operating expenses.
Over the last 2 years, the departments have each received air cylinders and last year also was afforded assistance of up to a certain amount of funding to be used to obtain tires for VFD trucks from vendor at a discounted rate.
Sulphur Bluff, Como, North Hopkins/South Sulphur, Cumby, Miller Grove and Tira VFDs had yet to return the agreements to the county when the five other agreements were approved during the Feb. 14, 2022 Commissioners Court meeting.
The commissioners’ CEUs will also be noted.
Submitted for approval on the consent agenda are minutes from Feb. 14 and March 4 meetings.
Requests submitted for consideration by the Commissioners Court during the 9 a.m. regular meeting Monday, March 14, 2022, are requests from Spectrum/Charter to construct and place meter base poles or ground mount meter bases on County Road 4760 and County Road 3504, and from Oncor Electric for a service order.
Immediately following adjournment of the regular meeting, the Commissioners Court is slated to move to the third floor of the Courthouse for a work session. The commissioners and judge are scheduled to discuss department operations, expenditures, and any proposed improvements and repairs with Sheriff Lewis Tatum and Fire Marshal Andy Endsley; and county building maintenance with Tom Glosup. The court may also hold a budget work session.
The following Monday, March 21, the court is slated to meet at noon at the Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation offices, at 1200 Enterprise Lane, to discuss economic development in Hopkins County.
Meal A Day Menu – March 14-18, 2022
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for the week of March 14-18, 2022 includes:
- Monday – Parmesan Chicken On A Bed of Egg Noodles, Italian Vegetables and Garlic Toast.
- Tuesday – Oven Omelet, Sliced Ham, Blueberry Muffins and Fruit Cups.
- Wednesday – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll.
- Thursday – Rope Sausage, Cabbage, Black-Eyed Peas and Cornbread.
- Friday – King Ranch Chicken Casserole, Corn and Black Beans, and Winter Blend Vegetables.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Paris District Road Report for March 14, 2022
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting March 14, 2022. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91. The northbound Washington Street exit ramp is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Lamar/Houston Street exit. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
Northbound and Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road near West Staples Street and transitions back to the existing mainlanes near West Cherry Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Center Street. Within this area, the US 75 frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while US 75 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both mainlane and frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Center Street under US 75 are closed to traffic. To detour, eastbound Center Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Park Avenue, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Center Street. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Houston Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Center Street.
Video animations of the northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch and Center Street detour can be viewed online at:
- Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLyVQ6rYNhM
- Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Detour for the Center Street closure at US 75: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIMoHaqAFGg
Northbound and Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road from just north of Houston Street and transitions back to the existing main lanes south of North Travis Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 main lanes and the bridge over Washington Street. Within this area, the US 75 frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while US 75 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both mainlane and frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Washington Street under US 75 are closed to traffic. This closure is necessary to complete work in preparation of the mainlane detour. To detour, eastbound Washington Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Lamar Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Washington Street. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on North Travis Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Washington Street.
Video animations of the northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch and Washington Street detour can be viewed online at:
- Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Detour for the Washington Street closure at US 75:
US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between North Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lanes shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on construction of new frontage road lanes.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct the new roadway pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a four-lane divided section with turn lanes. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project. The east side of the Washington Street intersection at FM 1417 is temporarily closed for crews to complete storm drainage work and construct the new pavement across this intersection. The closure is expected to last approximately two weeks. During the closure, motorists wishing to use Washington Street east of FM 1417 are asked to use Taylor Street. After reopening Washington Street to traffic, construction crews will then close Taylor Street in order to complete the paving work across this intersection.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to complete the remaining work on the project.
FM 1417, Grayson County: at the Park Avenue and Quail Run Road intersections. Watch for daytime shoulder closures and occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to install traffic signals at these intersections.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Thursday night. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
FM 1753, Grayson County: from FM 120 to FM 1897. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and then overlay the roadway.
FS 121 (Grayson Parkway), Grayson County: from the Collin County line to FM 121. Construction is ongoing on this new-location roadway which is west of SH 289 approximately 4 miles. The new roadway will be two lanes with shoulders and will be an extension of the frontage road of the Dallas North Tollway. Local traffic on CR 60 (Marilee Road) and Stiff Chapel Road should expect occasional road work at those intersections with flaggers present to control traffic.
FM 121, Grayson County: in Van Alstyne from Preston Avenue to John Douglas Road. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as construction crews work to install sidewalks, curb ramps, and landscape features.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Sunday and Wednesday during the nighttime.
The annual contract to perform bridge repairs in Grayson County is underway. The following locations will have bridge repairs performed, so travelers should expect occasional lane closures while this work is underway. US 75 northbound mainlane bridge at Iron Ore Creek, US 75 southbound frontage road bridge at Iron Ore Creek, the SH 289 bridge approximately 1.75 miles south of FM 120, and FM 1417 at Post Oak Creek.
SH 56, Grayson County, from SH 289 to FM 901. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs on the roadway.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as workers complete the remaining work on the project.
SH 34, Fannin County: from FM 64 to FM 1550. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as workers build the new SH 34 bridge over the future Lake Ralph Hall.
FM 1552, Fannin County: from SH 78 to County Road 3710. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow-moving construction equipment as crews work on re-establishing vegetation on the project. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews complete the remaining work.
FM 981, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 78. On March 14 crews plan to close the roadway during the day to replace a failed drainage pipe across the roadway. Message boards will be placed on site in advance to notify travelers of the culvert replacement.
FM 1396, Fannin County: from FM 2029 west to CR 2275. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to widen the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
SH 37, Franklin County: from the elementary school to US 67. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install sidewalk.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to Texas-Oklahoma state line. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway.
US 271, Red River County: from SH 37 to Titus County Line. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway.
FM 906, Lamar County: from FM 2648 to CR 47400. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.
FM 195, Red River County: from the Lamar County line to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and replace bridge rail.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to the Bowie County line. Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas as final work is being performed.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from FM 1497 around the North Loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from US 82 West around the North Loop to US 271 South interchange. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews perform full depth concrete repairs during overnight and daytime hours.
FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
Sidewalk and Curb Ramp Project (several counties): The contractor has set barricades at the Wolfe City, Texas, location. The contractor is currently working on Santa Fe street and is near 50 percent complete. The project is moving towards the downtown area of Wolfe City. This project will improve pedestrian sidewalks and construct ADA-compliant curb ramps at these locations: Hunt County, SH 34 at Crockett Street to SH 34 at FM 816 in Wolfe City. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 903, Rains County: From US 380 to FM 1560. The contractor has set barricades and bulletin boards and advance warning signs. The contractor has begun hauling new flexbase and placing new Geogrid and cement treated the material. Culvert walls are being constructed and poured. The contractor reworked base and built subgrade approximately 1,400 feet. The contractor poured a parallel wall.
FM 275, Rains County: from SH 19 to FM 514. The contractor has been doing the finish work on the cement-treated flexbase, driveways and backfilling from Lake Fork Creek to the north for one mile. The contractor will perform a ride test and lay prime coat this week. The contractor began excavating, grading and installing rip-rap at the Lake Fork Creek bridge, and has formed and poured the back wall and wings on abutment No. 1. The contractor began setting SETs on the north end of the project. Drill shaft installation has been completed and beams will be set soon. Please be aware of lane closures, detours, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 276, Hunt County: from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass). The contractor has placed project barricades and has prepared and cleared the right-of-way. The contractor has performed a traffic switch for northbound and southbound traffic on Spur 264 to complete the concrete pavement on the east half of Spur 264. The contractor continues grading flex base on SH 276 from east of the bridge approach to the proposed CRCP section, fine grade embankment work on the west end of the project, and prep work for geo-grid and flex base. Please be aware of lane closures and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor is wrapping up base and Geogrid placement on the first two miles. A pavement ride test and prime coat are completed on the section including on mile two. The first mile will be tested and prepped for prime coat shortly.
Maintenance crews in Hunt County will be performing overlay operations on FM 1570 from I-30 to SH 66, and on FM 118 from SH 224 to FM 512. Crews will be performing potholing at various locations in Hunt County. Maintenance contract crews will be performing debris removal on I-30 and guard rail repair at various locations around Hunt County. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
Maintenance crews in Rains County will be performing seal coat prep work on the I-30 south frontage road from CR 3102 to FM 1737. Crews will be performing various sign installations, potholing, edging, and debris removal. Maintenance crews will be performing herbicide operations on various roadways. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway, and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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