Hicks Column: Restaurant Leftover Safety Tips and Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County
Restaurant Leftover Safety Tips
Meeting friends at a restaurant is common among many folks who enjoy socializing. My husband and I will often share an entrée, but every now and then we have more food than we can eat.
Bringing home leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day is becoming ordinary again. Don’t invite bacteria to your next meal.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service gives some food safety tips so you can enjoy your restaurant leftovers without getting foodborne illness:
- If you plan to go to a movie or be out and about after eating at a restaurant, then you should skip taking the leftovers. Perishable foods should be brought directly home because the faster food gets into the refrigerator, the lower the likelihood of bacterial growth.
- Meat and poultry leftovers that are handled properly may be safely refrigerated at 40ᵒ F up to 4 days. Eggs and lunch meats that are handled properly may be safely stored at 40ᵒ F up to 5 days. For best quality, cooked meat and poultry leftovers in sealed containers may be stored in the freezer at 0ᵒ F or below for 2 to 6 months.
- When reheating in the microwave, place foods on a microwave safe plate. Food items should be spread evenly and stirred halfway through heating to avoid cold spots. If you reheat all of your leftovers but don’t finish the entire portion, refrigerate what’s left immediately so it can be safely reheated again.
- Warning — reheating in slow cookers isn’t recommended because foods may be sitting too long in the “Danger Zone” (40ᵒ F – 140ᵒ F).
- When reheating meat and poultry in the oven, the temperature should be no lower than 325ᵒ F.
- When reheating leftovers, use a food thermometer to check the food’s internal temperature. The food is safe to eat once it reaches 165ᵒ F.
- Soups, sauces, gravies, etc., should be reheated to a boil.
- Do not use the Styrofoam carry-out containers to reheat food. Foods show be placed in an appropriate dish to withstand the temperatures needed to assure safety.
And a word of caution—never taste food to determine its safety. You can’t see or taste harmful bacteria. When in doubt, throw it out!
Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador
Congratulations to Rylie Carroll, Hopkins County’s Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador (HYTA). She recently assisted with a training in Tyler for the East Region HYTA on a new Extension program called DanceFit.
The program consists of 6 lessons, along with recipes to encourage heart health and physical activity.
The curriculum also comes with dance steps to fit popular songs such as “Eye of the Tiger,” “YMCA,” “Despicable Me,” “Waca Waca,” and “Celebration,” along with many more.
Rylie led the other youth ambassadors in the dance steps. By the smiles on their faces, it appeared that everyone had a great time.
As school gets underway soon, teachers may contact the Extension office to find out more about this program. I will be glad to assist!
Closing Thought
Rest when you’re tired. Take a drink of cold water when you’re thirsty. Call a friend when you’re lonely. Ask God to help when you feel overwhelmed
Melodie Beattie
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B W. Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]
Chamber Connection – July 28
By Butch Burney
The public is invited to visit a gathering of our local vendors and businesses next Thursday, Aug. 5, at the Chamber at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. There will be between 25 and 30 businesses there, with samples and information about them and their services. Additionally, each business will have a gift or gift card to give away, so that’s up to 30 gift cards going to 30 lucky individuals who attend the come-and-go event.
Adult Leadership
The Adult Leadership program is currently accepting applications for the 2021-22 Adult Leadership class. Registration is on our website, HopkinsChamber.org or I can email you the documents if you contact me at [email protected] or by calling 903-885-6515.
Adult Leadership takes you through all of the services of the city and county in an in-depth program that will enrich your life, both occupationally and individually.
If you applied last year, please re-apply this year. The class needs 20-25 members, and the deadline is Aug. 13.
Photography Contest
It’s time for the 6th Annual Chamber of Commerce Photography Contest! Anyone of any age can
enter as we have a children’s category. The picture must be newer than January 1, 2019 and must have been taken in Hopkins County. The contest will be open from August 2 to August 31. There are seven categories you may enter: Natural World, Travel, People, The Hopkins County Experience, Altered Images, Mobile, and Children’s Category. Only digital images are accepted (no prints). To submit your photograph, email the picture to [email protected]. Rules and releases will be available on the Chamber of Commerce website.
Stew Fest Market Vendor Call
The Chamber is excited to announce our vendor call for the Stew Fest Market! The Chamber is currently accepting vendors for the Stew Fest Market, which will be located on the south side of Buford Park during Friday night and Saturday Stew Contest activities. This is a great opportunity to sell goods or to promote your business to 7,000 people who attend the Stew Contest annually. Vendors may rent booth space to sell goods or distribute information about their business. Booths will be assigned on a first-paid basis. Access to electricity is not guaranteed. Generators are permitted. Vendors who are interested in purchasing booth space, call the Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515 email us at [email protected]
Stew Contest Drink Sales
Every year, the Chamber allows a non-profit organization to sell drinks at the Stew Contest. There are several rules and regulations to follow, but if you are interested in placing your organization’s name in the hat, please call the Chamber. You will be asked to come in and sign an understanding agreement in regard to rules and expectations. Deadline for volunteers is August 31. Once we have all our volunteers in place, we will literally pick one out of a hat and award drink sales to that organization. Please call if you have any questions.
CanHelp Back to School
CanHelp is hosting a Back to School fair from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, July 30, at the Civic Center. There will be free backpacks and school supplies for low-to-moderate income students (must apply online at canhelponline.org), plus dental screenings, school physicals, health screenings, immunizations and vaccinations, haircuts and food and drinks.
Lunch and Learn
State Sen. Bob Hall and State Rep. Bryan Slaton will be in town for a Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15. Registration forms are on our website, so sign up to learn how laws passed (and not passed) by the Texas Legislature will affect your business. Lunch will be provided at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Tickets are $15 for Chamber members and $20 for nonmembers. Thanks for Atmos Energy and Oncor for sponsoring this important luncheon.
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for July 14, the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Ribbon Cuttings
- Seamless Gutter Experts hosted a ribbon cutting at the Chamber office, 110 Main St., at noon on Wednesday, July 21. They offer sale and installation of gutters for home and businesses.
- The Plant Niche, 222 Tomlinson St., will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Join us for that celebration.
Texas’ First Case Of West Nile Virus This Year Reported in Dallas County
Public health officials have confirmed the state’s first case of illness caused by West Nile virus in 2021. The disease case, reported by Dallas County Health and Human Services, occurred in a resident of Dallas County.
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Most people exposed to the virus don’t get sick, but about 20 percent develop symptoms like headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue. In a very small proportion, less than one percent, the virus affects the nervous system, leading to a more serious illness that can cause neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and even death.
The Texas Department of State Health Services urges people to declare WAR on mosquitoes to protect themselves and their families from West Nile and other diseases spread by mosquitoes.
- WEAR long sleeves and pants. Create a barrier to mosquito bites by covering up.
- APPLY insect repellent. Use EPA-registered repellent such as those containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone.
- REMOVE standing water. Emptying water that accumulates in toys, tires, trash cans, buckets, clogged rain gutters and plant pots will deny mosquitoes a place to lay their eggs and reproduce.
People should also keep mosquitoes out of their homes by using air conditioning and making sure window and door screens are in good repair. DSHS urges people with West Nile symptoms to contact their health care provider and mention any exposure to mosquitoes.
There were 122 cases of West Nile disease in Texas last year and 24 deaths. (Cases and attributed deaths data for 2020 are provisional.) Over the last five years, Texas has had 805 cases and 63 deaths. Mosquitoes remain active in much of Texas into November and December.
Hopkins County Constables’ Fees To Increase in 2022
Those individuals required to pay fees in 2022 to the two Hopkins County constables’ offices will be paying a little bit more moving forward. The Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday approved increases to constables fees.
Precinct 1 Constable Norman Colyer asked the Commissioners Court Monday to approve increases in their fees, which have not changed much in several years. Citations went up about four years ago, but not by much.
“I looked at all the surrounding counties out for a ways comparable size to us, smaller, bigger, and we are still probably a little bit cheaper on a lot of stuff than they are. That would put us more in line with other counties around us as far as the fees,” Colyer said.
Colyer recommended increasing the fee charged on citations, which both constables offices do the most of, by $10, raising it to $75. He also recommended increasing the fee charged for writs of possessions so that the fees are more in line with those charged by other agencies around the region.
As a comparison, Precinct 2 Constable John Beadle noted that Dallas charges about $170 , Rains County $200, and the other area counties charge between $150-$175 for writs of possession. Hopkins County is at $75. Thus, the constables recommended increasing the writ fee to $100.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley and Precinct 2 Commission Greg Anglin proposed approving the constables’ fees and sheriff’s fees as requested by Colyer and Beadle; the motion receive unanimous approval of the court.
9 SSHS Students On Their Way To Earning Firefighter Certification
Nine students are on their way to earning their firefighter certification. The students have completed the first year of firefighter classes offered at Sulphur Springs High School for the first time during the 2020-21 school year through Career & Technical Education, as part of the emergency services program of study taught by Fire in Texas.
Overall, nine SSHS students successfully completed the Firefighter I course and attempted the the state examinations for Hazardous Materials Awareness, Firefighter I, HazMat Operations, and Firefighter II in June. Students may complete their fire certification by taking EMT-Basic their senior year and will be fully certified upon completion of that training,
Live training at the drill field in Sulphur Springs included hands-on practice with burns in a “burn house,” with a vehicle fire and a few other controlled burn scenarios to test their abilities. From learning the basics of rope to navigating their way through a burning building, Fire in Texas teaches fire recruits the basic skills they will need to become a certified firefighter.
“We are very pleased with the outcome. These students are pioneers in the program and vocation,” said SSHS coordinating teacher Todd McCoy.
“We had three students to pass all 4 tests. Those students were Chad Maynard, Benjamin Hatcher, and Jake Armstrong. Four students passed three of the four tests, and two students passed two of the four tests. Students will have the opportunity to test again to complete any sections not passed,” said Jenny Arledge, director of College & Career Readiness/Career & Technical Education.
Arledge expressed appreciation to Fire in Texas “for taking a chance on being a part of this new program of study at Sulphur Springs High School.”
“They worked with our students tirelessly to help them be successful in the coursework they completed throughout the year and in the live fire training they completed at the end of the course to prepare them for the state examinations. We appreciate their commitment in helping us get this program of study up and running,” Arledge said.
TxDOT Names Brian Barth as Deputy Executive Director for Program Delivery
| July 26, 2021 AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Transportation today announced the selection of Brian Barth as the department’s second Deputy Executive Director. Barth will assume his new role on August 1 and will serve alongside Deputy Executive Director Brandye Hendrickson, who joined TxDOT on July 19. Both positions report to Executive Director Marc Williams with Barth responsible for leading TxDOT’s program delivery overseeing all roads, bridges and maintenance throughout the entire state to ensure transportation projects meeting the needs of Texans are delivered efficiently and effectively. Most recently, Barth served as TxDOT’s Director of Project Planning and Development, where he oversaw TxDOT’s Transportation Planning and Programming, Right of Way, Environmental Affairs, Professional Engineering Procurement and Transportation Programs divisions. “TxDOT’s mission is Connecting You With Texas, and that means delivering needed transportation projects across the state to improve safety and mobility,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Brian is a proven leader with a strategic mindset and a commitment to follow-through to ensure we get it done.” Barth’s extensive transportation experience includes serving as the district engineer for TxDOT’s Fort Worth District from 2013-2018 working to solve Metroplex-area transportation issues. Under his direction as district engineer, he oversaw over $1 billion in construction work each year in addition to major projects on I-35W, SH 360 South and the I-30/SH 360 Interchange. “Governor Greg Abbott asked me to ‘turn dirt’ and therefore my mantra for TxDOT is ‘execute, execute, execute’ when it comes to meeting the transportation needs of Texans and Texas communities,” said Texas Transportation Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. “Our state continues to grow and Texans have entrusted us with keeping them moving. With Brian’s demonstrated leadership moving our Texas Clear Lanes initiative forward to tackle congestion in our busiest metros, I’m pleased to have his experience and expertise focused relentlessly on delivering on our robust program of transportation projects statewide.” Barth began his career at TxDOT in 1988 as an engineering assistant in the Dallas District after graduation from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. In 2003, he was appointed as the Dallas District’s director of transportation planning and development. From 2009 to 2013, Barth served as the Fort Worth District’s deputy district engineer, providing joint oversight and development of the DFW Connector, North Tarrant Express, I-35W, I-30, and Chisholm Trail Parkway. “I look forward to serving in this new and critical role,” Barth said. “I know firsthand that the women and men of TxDOT share my commitment to tackling complex challenges with rigor, dedication and meaningful results.” |
| ### |
Wildcats Cross Country Season Schedules Firmed Up
On Monday, July 26, Wildcats football head coach and athletic director Greg Owens released the finalized season schedules for both the high school and the middle school teams.
It will be a busy and tough season for the Wildcats, coached by Ross Hicks, as they will have to do a lot of travelling to compete in District 15-5A.
Home games are underlined, and postseason meets are written in bold below.
2021 Sulphur Springs Cross Country Season
- August 14 — SS Intra Squad Meet @ Sulphur Springs High School Athletic Complex
- Aug. 21 — Commerce Tiger Invitational @ Commerce High School
- Aug. 27 (Fri.) — Kaufman Run with the Lions @ Kaufman Sports Complex
- Sept. 4 — Open
- Sept. 11 — Hallsville Invitational @ Hallsville High School
- Sept. 17 (Fri.) — Pine Tree Mike Darby Invitational @ Lear Park Complex, Longview
- Sept. 25 — SS Wildcat Invitational @ Sulphur Springs High School Athletic Complex
- Oct. 2 — Titus County Fair Invitational @ Mt. Pleasant High School
- Oct. 7 (Thurs.) — Lindale Eagle Invitational @ Garden Valley Country Club 9 Hole Course
- Oct. 14 (Thurs.) — UIL District 15-5A Championship @ Hallsville HS
- Oct. 25 (Mon.) — UIL Region II-5A Championship @ Jesse Owens Sports Complex, Dallas TX
- Nov. 6 — UIL STATE MEET @ Old Settlers Park, Round Rock TX
For the first time ever, Coach Hicks and his Wildcats will host an invitational, right here in Sulphur Springs.
The squad will have their first taste of the competition they’ll be facing this year when they host an intra squad meet on Aug. 14 at the SSHS Athletic Complex.
Besides that, and an invitational again here in Sulphur Springs on Sept. 25, the Wildcats cross country team will be competing on the road against the rest of their district foes.
Coach Hicks and his team also have an open date on Saturday, Sept. 4, Labor Day weekend.
Moving over to middle school, Coaches Hicks and Owens also released the season schedule for middle school cross country runners.
As with the varsity schedule above, home games are underlined, and postseason meets are written in bold below for the middle school schedule.
2021 Sulphur Springs Junior High Cross Country Season
- Aug. 21 — Commerce Tiger Invitational @ Commerce High School
- Sept. 4 — Tyler Legacy Invitational @ University of Texas Tyler
- Sept. 16 — Miller Grove Invitational @ Miller Grove ISD
- Sept. 25 — SS Wildcat Invitational @ Sulphur Springs High School Athletic Complex
- Oct. 2 — Mt. Pleasant Titus County Fair Invitational @ Mt. Pleasant High School
- Oct. 9 — District 15-5A Meet @ Hallsville High School
Coach Ross Hicks encourages any and all Wildcats fans to attend the intra squad meet on Aug. 14 as it will be free and right here in Sulphur Springs at the athletic complex.
So with High school cross country getting underway the second week of August, and the middle school program following the week after, Coach Ross Hicks and his team will quickly be looking forward to the fall season when it kicks off here in the next few weeks.
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.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report For July 19-25, 2021
The Winnnsboro Police Department’s weekly media report for July 18-25, 2021, included the following:
Arrests
- Daron Moore Jackson, 33 years of age, of San Pablo, California, was arrested on July 24, 2021, on a Texas Department of Criminal Justice Pardon and Parole board warrant for a Parole Violation.
- Jesse Schnitzius, 23 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on July 25, 2021, on a Winnsboro Municipal Warrant, Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance and Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 Controlled Substance.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 116 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 29 citations and 48 warnings during this reporting period.
EEA: Our Youth 4th Annual Back to School Ready Event Slated Aug. 15
East End Allegiance: Our Youth, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, will be hosting the 4th Annual Back to School Ready event from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 15, 2021, at the Grays Building in Pacific Park.
“We will provide haircuts, backpacks, shoes, and free food,” said Bridgette Cooper, EEA:OY president. “We are requesting that parents sign their children up to ensure we can meet their need. Sign-up requires providing their name, age, and shoe size.”
Information for sponsored children may be sent via text or phone message to 972-802-8705, on the East End Allegiance: Our Youth Facebook page, or emailed to [email protected].
Also among the activities planned for the youth attending the Aug. 15 event are music, prizes, free food and drink, bounce houses and wellness checks.
Those wishing to help make the EEA:OY Back To School Ready event a success by meeting all participating children’s needs may make donations of backpacks, shoes, drinks, water, juice and Gatorade as well as monetary or gift card donations. Just drop the contributed item off at KJC Beauty Supply, 1217 South Broadway Street, Suit Q2.
EEA:OY also offers silver sponsorship recognition for those contributing $25 and gold sponsorship recognition for those contributed $50 or more toward the event.
For additional information about the back to school event, call 972-802-8705.
Fort Worth Woman Pretended To Be Someone Else, Ran From Police To Avoid Arrest On 14 Warrants
A 27-year-old Fort Worth woman wanted by nine different agencies on a total of 14 warrants pretended to be someone else, then ran from police in an attempt to avoid arrest Monday morning, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Malibu at 9:11 a.m. July 26 on JD Franklin Drive. The officer believed the woman driving to be one he knew had outstanding warrants. She displayed signs of nervousness and, when asked for ID, gave a different name and date of birth than the one Hoffman was familiar with, police alleged in arrest reports.
She insisted the information she gave was correct, so dispatchers obtained and sent to the officer a photo of the person she claimed to be. The photo did not look like the woman in front of him, Hoffman alleged in arrest reports.
He then asked the woman if she had any ID in her wallet. She claimed the one she had was her sister’s. He then told her the photo from the name she’d given didn’t look like her and asked to see the ID she had. She refused, Hoffman noted in arrest reports.
He asked the woman to get out for further investigation of possible criminal activity. She refused, claiming she was waiting for her brother to get there. She then rolled up the car window and fled south on JD Franklin Drive, turned onto Melba Street. She got out of the car and took off running west on Melba, then behind a house at the corner of JD Franklin Drive and Melba Street. He caught up to her in the back yard and took her into custody, Hoffman alleged in arrest reports.
The woman then admitted her name is Justice Brown. The 27-year-old Fort Worth woman was arrested at 9:49 a.m. July 26, 2021, for failure to identify and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, and as well as on 14 outstanding warrants:
- 1 Hopkins County warrant for failure to identify as a fugitive by intentionally giving false information;
- 2 Tarrant County warrants, one each for theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions and failure to ID by giving false information;
- 2 Dallas County warrants, one each for bond forfeiture on an assault on a security officer and theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions;
- 1 Arlington warrant for theft of less than $2,500 with prior convictions;
- 1 Keller Southlake warrant for theft of property with tow or more prior convictions;
- 1 Lamar County motion to revoke on an assault causing bodily injury charge;
- 2 Collin County warrants, one each for theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with prior convictions and false alarm or report;
- 2 Harris County warrants, one each for theft and evading arrest or detention; and
- 2 Sulphur Springs warrants, one each for failure to maintain financial responsibility and no driver’s license.
Justice Jashea Brown, who is also known by Laquantra Amelia William (not the name she initially told police on Monday), was booked into Hopkins County jail at 12:15 p.m. Monday. The car was impounded. She remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, July 27, 2021, on the failure to identify and evading arrest charges as well as the 14 warrants.
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.
