A Strange Thing About The History Of The Tomato … And A Few Local Recommendations
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected]
As temperatures start to warm-up, gardeners get in the mood of working outside, visiting plant stores and enjoying the garden. This week has been a very pleasant one with sporadic rain and cold temperatures at night. In Hopkins County, we have several gardeners passionate about tomato plants and tomato plant gardening.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, one of the strangest things about the history of the tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is the fact that, although it is of American origin, it was unknown as food in this country until long after it was commonly eaten in Europe.
Until hardly more than a hundred years ago, it was generally thought to be poisonous in the United States. Long before it was considered here as fit to eat, it was grown only as an ornamental garden plant, sometimes called “love apple.” The mistaken idea that tomatoes were poisonous probably arose because the plant belongs to the Nightshade family, of which some species are truly poisonous. The strong, unpleasant odor of the leaves and stems also contributed to the idea that the fruits were unfit for food.
Our word “tomato” is but a slight modification of tomati, the word used by the Indians of Mexico, who have grown the plant for food since prehistoric times. Other names reported by early European explorers were tomatl, tumatle, and tomatas, probably variants of Indian words.
Cultivated tomatoes apparently originated as wild forms in the Peru-Ecuador-Bolivia area of the Andes. Moderate altitudes in that mountainous land abound today in a wide range of forms of tomato, both wild and cultivated. The cultivated tomato is very tender to cold and also rather intolerant of extremely hot or dry weather, a characteristic reflecting the nature of the climate in which it originated.
Not until after the Declaration of Independence do we find any record of the tomato as being grown in the United States. It was supposedly introduced to Philadelphia by a French refugee from Santo Domingo in 1789 and to Salem, Massachusetts, in 1802 by an Italian painter.
The various shapes and colors of tomatoes known today in the United States were found in America by the earliest explorers. Plant breeders have improved the size and smoothness of the fruit and the productivity of the plants, but have introduced nothing basically new in form or color.
After having made good abroad, the tomato has attained great importance in its native hemisphere. Today, in the United States alone, hundreds of thousands of acres yield millions of tons of tomatoes.
Recommended Varieties of Tomato for Hopkins County
- Large: Better Boy, Big Beef, Bradywine, Early Big Red, Floradade, Mountain Glory and Pik Rite.
- Medium: Carnival, Celebrity, Golden Jubilee, Mountain Spring, Porter improved and Ultra Sweet.
- Paste: Chico and Roma.
- Small: Cherry Grande, Small Fry and Sunsugar.
It is important to remember that tomato plants are sensitive to cold weather. A frost protection method is recommended until all risk of cold weather in Hopkins County is over. 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].
2 Arrested For Cocaine Possession
An out-of-town pair was arrested for cocaine possession following a traffic stop late Monday night, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Isaac Foley reported an expired registration as cause for stopping the Dodge Grand Caravan at 11:48 p.m. April 25, 2022, at the intersection of Wildcat Way and Arbala Road. The strong marijuana odor he smelled upon contact with the two occupants, however, was the reason he had them step out of the gold van.
When the passenger notified Foley he’d find a firearm under his seat, the deputy placed the pair into handcuffs as a safety precaution. Passenger Dennis Edward “D.J.” Christopher Jr. agreed to let the deputy search his pockets. While he was doing so, a baggy containing a crystal-like substance he suspected was cocaine fell out of the 22-year-old Henderson man’s pocket, Foley alleged in arrest reports.
HCSO Deputy Drew Fisher then arrived to assist Foley. Another bag contained more suspected cocaine was found in the center dash areas of the van during the vehicle search, Foley wrote in arrest reports.
Both Christopher and the driver, identified as 26-year-old Damon Heath of Paris were read their rights and transported at 11:08 p.m. by Foley to the county jail. They were booked in at 12:24 a.m. April 26, 2022, according to arrest and jail reports.
Heath was charged with possession of less than 1 gram of the substance found in the dash, which field tested positive for the Penalty Group 1 controlled substance cocaine. Christopher was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon and possession of less than 1 gram of a substance that also tested positive as cocaine, Foley alleged in arrest reports.
Both remained in Hopkins County jail later Tuesday in lieu of the $5,000 bond set on the cocaine possession charge; Christopher’s bond on the weapon charge was set at $2,000, 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.
Wildcats Baseball Hosts Hallsville for Senior Night
Coach Jerrod Hammack’s team hosts Hallsville on Tuesday, Apr. 26, the lone team in action on this Tuesday game day.
Sulphur Springs looks to extend their win streak to three with an upset of Hallsville.
The Bobcats look to close out their season with a win as tonight’s contest in Sulphur Springs is their regular season finale.
Hallsville (10-1, first in 15-5A) entering tonight’s contest is a full three games ahead of second place Texas High (7-4). The Bobcats clinched the district with Mount Pleasant’s win Friday over Texas High.
The Wildcats look to keep their playoff hopes alive with an upset win over Hallsville.
Longview on this Tuesday game day travels across town to take on rival Pine Tree. The Lobos (5-5, fourth in 15-5A) enter their duel with the Pirates a game ahead of Sulphur Springs with just one game left for both schools.
If Longview beats Pine Tree, the Wildcats will be eliminated from postseason contention.
With that, Coach Hammack and his squad must win out if they wish to make the post-season outright. Anything else and it gets murky for Wildcats baseball.
Sulphur Springs looks to best Hallsville on their Senior Night and keep playoff hopes alive.
That game tees off at Wildcat Park Tuesday, Apr. 26 at 7 P.M. Senior night festivities begin 15 minutes prior to tee-off.
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.
Broadband Expansion, Final Plat, Software Agreement Approved By Commissioners Court
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday, April 25, 2022, considered requests to expand broadband further into the county, for a final plat, a software agreement and asset disposal.
Broadband Expansion
As part of the consent agenda, the Commissioners Court agreed to one request from Frontier Communications and two requests from Spectrum/Charter which would allow the businesses to expand services further into rural Hopkins County.
“I want you to know that, especially with Spectrum, that is broadband – broadband being brought into our rural areas. So, it’s really a big deal. It allows people in really rural areas to have really good internet connection so that if you wanted to you wouldn’t have to come to Sulphur Springs, to the city limits or to an area that has really good connections. This will be in the country that we will have excellent broadband,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom noted.
The process is a slow one, that is expected to take several years to complete, but expansion of broadband internet into the country has begun over the past few months and continues. The expansion is made possible through a federal program funneled through the state and regional levels, such as Ark-Tex Council of Governments.
Frontier Communications will be boring 2781 feet, and install handholes, drop boxes and ducts in Precinct 3. Spectrum/Charter will be constructing and placing meter base poles or ground mount meter bases on County Road 3506 in Precinct 3 and on County Roads 4711, 4712, 4700, 4714, 4715, 4712, 4719 and 4763 in Precinct 4.
Commissioner Wade Bartley said he had reviewed the requests and had no problem with the work in Precinct 4. He then made the motion to approve the requests as presented.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price said he had no problem with the request, except it included a county road that is not on his road inventory. He said the list includes a County Road 4360; there isn’t one in Precinct 4.
Newsom said the list includes only numbers sent to his administrative assistant for inclusion on the court agenda. He suggested checking on the matter, and otherwise proceeding with the motion. The commissioners agreed. Price then seconded the motion, with the noted road issue. The motion passed unanimously.
Final Plat
The court then considered a request for a final plat for Oak Grove subdivision.
County Clerk Tracy Smith noted that the request is simply the final draft of the preliminary proposal the Commissioners Court approved at the March 14, 2022 meeting. The property is off of County Road 1126 and County Road 4120.
At the March meeting, Price said as he understood it, the subdivision is located in both Precincts 1 and 4. He’d looked at it but Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker had not had an opportunity to do so at that time, because he’d been on extended sick leave due to illness.
Barker, who only returned to work part time at the last court meeting, Monday said is aware of the request but as yet had no opportunity to go out and look at the property. Price reiterated he has no problem with the part of the plat located in his Precinct.
County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley said county officials had met with the applicant for all the required preliminary meetings and work. The applicants is simply seeking to subdivide the land, not create a subdivision, and has everything in order, ready to go.
Price made a motion, which Barker seconded, to approve the request to subdivide the plat. The request was unanimously approved by the court.
SAFE Software
Endsley asked the court to consider approving an agreement for SAFE software for Hopkins County environmental officer. Essentially, the fire marshal said, the software being used is about to be dissolved. The proposed SAFE software, Endsley said, will be better for the county because most of the vendors use the program. It should help cut down on manhours by reducing some work redundancy.
“I think it’s also going to cut down on cost per year, so I think you’re going to save a lot of money going forward with it as well,” said Aaron Welch, who Endsley noted has been hired as a consultant since he’s had past experience working with those types of computer systems.
There would be installation fees. After the initial fees, if the county chooses to renew the agreement, the cost currently is $450 each year following the initial year. That fee would include updates and any other changes, and tech support. If the county, after a year chooses not to renew the agreement, they would no receive updates nor tech support for their system, according to Welch.
“The current system that we’re on right now, we’re on borrowed time. So, we hope this transitions over before our time runs out,” Endsley said, affirming that the total fee, which was not noted during the work session, is less than then amount the county has been paying for the service.
Welch said he would be on hand to help facilitate the transfer. A $1,000 fee per day will be charged as stipulated in the agreement for onsite training, for “however many you want” on site.
Bartley made the motion to approve the recommended SAFE software agreement for the county environmental to use. Barker seconded the motion, which the Commissioners Court then approved.
Asset Disposal
Price said he plans to dispose of 8 pieces of equipment from Precinct 4 at auction:
- New Holland P95P backhoe
- 2 Rex mixers
- pump trailer
- International 4900 truck
- GMC 3500 truck with flatbed
- 50-foot bush hog rotary mower
- 8 12-inch shop lights.
Bartley plans to dispose of four pieces of equipment from Precinct 3 through AuctioneerExpress.com, an online auction business based out of Mount Pleasant:
- Case Super L backhoe 4×4 with extended boom,
- 100 CX Case tractor, open top with four-wheel drive,
- 6320 John Deere tractor cab, side boom mower and ditcher and
- hydraulic dump bed for a 1-ton truck.
Bartley said he also plans to put in a live auto auction a 2006 GMC half-ton pickup when the time comes to replace it with one that is on order. When the new one comes in, it will be sent to auction.
“Some of this equipment is wore out. These tractors have got a lot of hours on them. Some on repairs, it’s just not feasible to spend the kind of money they want in repairs on this reequipment. We hope to replace it somewhere down the road,” Bartley said.
Barker too has two REX mixers that will be auctioned soon. He has yet to speak to Auctioneer Express, but that is the auction service he plans to use to dispose of the property.
Price made a motion, which Bartley seconded, to approve disposal of the property as stated; it was unanimously approved by the court.
Miscellaneous
The Commissioners also reported receiving routine reports from both constables, county and district clerks, Extension Service office, Homeland Security-environmental and law enforcement, fire department, both justices of the peace, sheriff, tax assessor collector and treasurer’s offices.
Bills, revenues and expenses, payroll, and financial statements were approved as presented.
Texas Ranger Ticket Giveaway #1
KSST has Texas Ranger Baseball tickets available this weekend’s Saturday and Sunday games against the Braves. Winners will get to chose from available tickets, first come first served.
This years tickets will be offered in a digital format. To be a winner, you will need to download and install the Offical MLB Ball Park App for your smart device. Think of the app as a digital wallet for your tickets.
How to Win
Like KSST and like this post on Facebook to enter. Winners will be chosen at random. Winners will be notified via Facebook. Remember, you will need to provide a valid email address, and that email must be linked to your MLB Ballpark app.
The Process
Once you win, KSST will forward the digital ticket information to your email. Your MLB Ballpark app will accept the ticket information and store them until you need them. You will need to take your device to the ballpark to display the QR code at the gate. Get all the details at MLB.COM
Just to be clear, KSST and KRVA did not receive paper tickets, so we can not furnish paper tickets to our winners.
Jettribe Mid-America WaterX Championship by Nauti Water Racing Round 1 and 2
This weekend is the long-awaited opening rounds for the Jettribe Mid-America WaterX Championship by Nauti Water Racing. We are excited to hang out with our Texas and Midwest racers once again. Rounds 1 and 2 this weekend in Somerville, Texas are going to be a fun, family-friendly event with highly competitive racing action on the water!
Are you new to the PWC racing sport? The Jettribe Mid-America WaterX Series is a great environment to come watch and learn from the many helpful pro racers in attendance. Junior racers can also benefit from seasoned race volunteers to help coach both the racer and their families about the racing program. Junior Racers should also plan to attend the Junior Stars clinic Friday afternoon at 4-6 pm to learn about course safety, race regulations, and good sportsmanship. There will also be some giveaways from event sponsors.
The city of Somerville has rolled out the red carpet with billboards, live music, food vendors, and a rock’n welcome party Friday night at Hwy 36 Icehouse & Grill (families welcome)! Visit www.jettribe.com/jettribe-waterx for details about the event and registration information.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Parole Warrant
A 61-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed on a parole warrant Sunday evening, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Dustin Green and Thad Cook reported making a stop for a traffic violation on South Carter Street Sunday afternoon. A records check showed Philip Edward Cork to be wanted by Austin Parole Board, Green noted in arrest reports.
The officers took the 61-year-old Sulphur Springs man into custody at 6:54 p.m. April 24, 2022, and transported him to jail. Cork, who is also reportedly known by Bill Cork, remained in the county jail Monday, April 25, 2022, held on the warrant for violation of parole, which he was on for a burglary of a building charge, according to jail and arrest 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.
SH 11 Traffic Stop Nets Several Bongs Loaded With Marijuana, 2 Handguns
A State Highway 11 traffic stop Saturday afternoon netted several bongs loaded with marijuana, two handguns and two arrests, according to arrest reports.
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper reported stopping a Jeep SV around 2:45 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022, for speeding on State Highway 11 in Hopkins County. As he approached the Jeep, he noticed the front seat passenger holding on her lap a bong he estimated was about 3-feet tall. The bong bowl was visible and appeared to be loaded with marijuana, the DPS highway patrol alleged in arrest reports.
The trooper reported smelling a strong marijuana odor coming from the Jeep and a second bong which also appeared to be loaded with marijuana in the cup holder in the center console. He had first the passenger then the driver step out.
When the trooper explained he would be conducting a probable cause search of the vehicle, the 25-year-old Greenville woman reportedly told him there was “home grown” in the Jeep, he noted in arrest reports. As the woman got out, the trooper reported noticed a single handgun round in the passenger door pocket. When he asked the driver if there were any weapons in the vehicle, the 29-year-old Greenville man advised the DPS officer he’d find a handgun registered to the woman in the glove box, the trooper noted in arrest reports.
During a probable cause search, the trooper reported finding a total of three glass bongs loaded with marijuana in the front passenger compartment, a folded paper with marijuana and two loaded 9mm handguns in the glove box. The Greenville couple was taken into custody and booked into the county jail for possession of marijuana and unlawful carrying of a weapon, according to arrest reports. The man was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, jail records show.
Both were released from Hopkins County jail on Sunday, April 24, 2022, on a $2,000 bond on the weapon charge and a $1,000 bond on the marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
First Phase Of Kids Kingdom Restoration Project A Great Success
Community Helps Commemorate Playground’s 25th Anniversary With Giving
The first phase of the Kids Kingdom restoration project, undertaken by the Sulphur Springs Leadership Class of 2021-22 last weekend, was a great success, according to the class.
The first phase included staining, painting, spreading mulch and undertaking some of the construction-type restoration to the park on its 25th anniversary.
The Leadership Class was joined by 60 Sulphur Springs High School students on Friday and about the same number of Clayton Homes employees and families on Saturday to get the project off the ground. They were aided by Pro Classic Painting and S&S Construction, who provided manpower for the project.
Together, they stained 95 percent of the wood (the rest will be done this week) and also spread about 95 yards of the 100 yards of mulch that was obtained. In addition, one deteriorating slide was rebuilt, another slide was replaced by an inclined climbing wall, most of the chains were replaced, most of the towers were repainted and many platforms and walking areas were repaired or replaced.
“We owe a great deal of gratitude to the SSHS students and their teachers, and the employees and families of Clayton Homes, along with the City of Sulphur Springs and other volunteers who gave their time this weekend to get so far along in the restoration,” said Butch Burney, class president. “It was amazing to see how far this project came in just one weekend. The best part was watching these volunteers of all ages give of themselves to make Kids Kingdom whole again.”
The project is not complete. Along with finishing some of the construction projects and painting/staining, the class – with the help of the City of Sulphur Springs – will install new swings, a handicap swing, tire swing, interior slide and lighting once the equipment comes in. The construction class at SSHS took down the decorative fish on the playground walls and made new ones, which will be painted by SSHS art students and rehung.
“Just like when it was built in 1997, this is truly a community project,” Burney said. “We have been blessed by a giving community that has taken this project to heart.”
Sponsors for the project include Clayton Homes, Sherwin-Williams which donated 100 gallons of stain, Texas Heritage Bank, Alliance Bank, City National Bank, CHRISTUS, the News-Telegram, Hampton House, Kiwanis Club, Pilot Club, I-30 Pallets, Neighbors of Sulphur Springs, Jennings Heat and Air, Lowe’s Distribution Center, Fix N Feed, Still Meadow Dairy, Molly Crouch and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.
When the restoration is complete, the Leadership Class and City will have a hamburger/hot dog lunch reveal party. Until then, the park is reopened for play.
Commerce Man Accused of Aggravated Assault
A Commerce man was accused of aggravated assault over the weekend, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigators reported getting a warrant for Seth Alan Severson’s arrest for an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon offense alleged to have occurred on April 21, 2022. No additional details about the alleged offense were reported Monday.
Deputies Josh Davis and Dustin Wilkerson tracked him to his girlfriend’s residence in Caddo Mills and took him into custody at 11:49 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2022.
The 29-year-old Commerce man was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked into jail at 2:57 a.m. Sunday, April 24, 2022, on the aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, according to arrest reports. Severson, who is also known by Seth Alan Steverson, remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, April 25, 2022, in lieu of a $200,000 bond on the charge.
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.
