The Flowers on the Hay Meadow, by Mario Villarino
This year has certainly has taking longer to become spring weather like.
Although nice to work outside and enjoy, the presence of colder weather weeds in the pastures and meadows is still a situation farmers and ranchers have to deal with.
I am including an overview release by Texas A&M AgriLife forage specialist Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olsen in Overton.
Although the presented weeds are really winter weather loving, since our hot season in Hopkins County has to hit yet, producers have them in their pastures and need to learn how to control them.
Buttercup (Ranunculus spp)
Spray buttercup before it flowers. This weed is easily controlled with 2,4-D amine, Metsulfuron 60 DF, Cimarron Plus, Grazon P+D, GrazonNext HL and dicamba + 2,4-D (Weedmaster). In dormant bermudagrass/bahiagrass glyphosate (Roundup) will control buttercup at normal use rates.
Groundsel (Senecio spp)
Metsulfuron 60DF or Cimarron Plus has proved to be the most effective herbicide for groundsel control. Apply in the rosette stage. Grazon P+D provides partial control.
Red Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
Grazon P+D provides excellent control of red sorrel. Metsulfuron or Cimarron Plus is also very good. Treat anytime the red sorrel is actively growing. Remedy Ultra is not effective on red sorrel.
Thistles
Although there are at several different species of thistle in Texas, most are closely related and control recommendations will not differ. Best time to control with a herbicide is when thistles are in the rosette stage. The rosette stage is when the thistle forms a low-growing ring of leaves.
As they mature they are harder to control and may require higher rates of herbicide to have effective control. Grazon P+D, GrazonNext HL and dicamba + 2,4-D (Weedmaster) provide excellent control of thistles.
Dandelions (Taraxacum spp)
The key to effective control is spraying while dandelions are in the rosette stage of growth (before the flower stalk appears). 2,4-D or 2,4-D + dicamba (Weedmaster) can provide excellent control. Metsulfuron 60 DF or Cimarron Plus are also very good options.
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].
SSISD Trustees Approve 60 Personnel Changes During May 10 Meeting
Sulphur Springs ISD trustees approved 60 personnel changes Monday evening during their regular board meeting; among the 1 1/2 pages of SSISD personnel changes were four notices of retirement, nearly two dozen resignations and new hires, and more than a dozen personnel job/campus swaps which will impact every district campus. The oath of office was administered to two incumbent trustees and board officers were agreed upon by trustees.
Board Matters
SSISD Tax/Election Official Sandra Gibby administered the oath of office to trustees Jason Dietze and Kerry Wright. Both were unopposed in their bids for reelection to the board, so the district was able to cancel the election for two seats on the SSISD Board of Trustees, saving the expense of hosting an election. Dietze sai8d this begins his fifth term on the school board and Kright estimated about 4 1/2 terms of service for himself.
The trustees had the option of reorganizing its board and selecting new officers. However, in a previous year, the board opted to have officers serve two-year terms. Thus, Robert Cody will remain board president, Craig Robert vice president and Dietze secretary of the school board.
Retirements
Three of the four retirements are Middle School employee; Nancy Kirby is retiring as counselor, Gwen Perry as secretary and Zina Young as a special education aide at SSMS.
Patricia Morgan also turned her notice of retirement as a special education aide at Sulphur Springs Elementary.
Resignations & New Personnel
At Barbara Bush Primary, the two resignations accepted were from Laura Badgett, a second grade teacher, and Misty Carr, a special education aide. Approved to join the staff at Bush Primary Cassie Canup as a special education aide, Marcie Porter as a library aide and Krissy Pyburn as an instructional aide.
Resigning from Bowie Primary are Esme Aguilar as a library aide and Tiffany Kral as third grade teacher. New hires approved for Bowie include Esther Gall and Tina Phillips as specials education aides.
Among the staff resigning from Travis Primary are library aide Monica Hernandez, second grade teachers Kimberly McNeal and Yadira Preciado, and first grade teachers Sarah Phillips. Serra Bowley was approved to become the new second grade teacher and Harlee Guzman as the new first grade teacher at Travis Primary.
Leaving Sulphur Springs Elementary will be special education aides Melva Dunan and Cheryl Vickery, Title I aide Eileen Lira, and fifth grade teachers Kristin Potts and Natalie White. New to the SSES staff will be Pauliane Chester as a behavior aide, Becky Ringler-Endsley as a special education aide, Jennifer Moore as an elementary library assistant, Kimberly Rhodes as fourth grade teacher, Melina Rivera as a Title I aide, Jacy Sorley and Jennifer Farrar Walters as fifth grade teachers, and Jennifer Young as a music teacher.
Resigning from Sulphur Springs Middle School are Alexsa Baylu8s as English teacher and Hollie Watson as a sixth grade teacher. Approved for hire at Sulphur Sprigs Middle School are Zachary Griffin as an assistant band director and Travis Willoughby as a physical education teacher and coach.
Sulphur Springs High School is losing four teachers and an aide: history teacher and coach Kevin Hatcher, English teacher Cady Jackson, social studies teacher and coach Bryan Jones, special education teacher Kristin McKinney and Connections special education aide Melissa Hastings. Approved to join the SSHS faculty were Trent Easley as a PE and credit recovery teacher and coach, and Neal Parsons as a social studies teacher and coach.
Lamar Primary also will be gaining two employees, Erika Fierst as a special education aide and Christie Phillips as a counselor.
Approved as the new principal at Austin Academic Center was James Payne.
Job & Campus Swaps
To fill some of the other positions still open, 14 SSISD employees will be changing jobs and/or campuses/classrooms.
Hannah Crowson is moving from Lamar Primary, where she’s been assigned as a virtual teacher, to Barbara Bush Primary to teacher second grade. Title I aide Misty Cline will remain on the Lamar campus but was approved to become a library aide. Patricia Cooper will be moving from Lamar, where she teaches third grade, to SSES, where she will be the behavioral interventionist.
Mandy Barrett is moving from SSES, where she teaches fourth grade, to Bowie Primary to teach third grade. Clarissa Holly Willis will remain at SSES, but will switch from fifth grade teacher to fifth grade reading interventionist.
Joe Boedigheimer will still serve as an academic specialist but will switch from Barbara Bush to the SSMS campus.
Four employees will remain at the Middle School campus, but will be swapping jobs, and one will move from SSMS to SSHS. Sara Brown, PEIMS clerk, will become a campus secretary. Rachel Draper will move from academic specialist to the assistant principal’s office, while Jeremy Scroggins is giving up his role as assistant principal to become testing coordinator at SSMS. Jessica Gilbert, a special education co-teacher will be teaching eighth graders. Easton Silman is giving up duties as a PE teacher and coach at SSMS, in order to teach social studies and coach at SSHS.
Two aides and a teacher at Austin Academic Center will remain on that campus, but will be switching up their duties. Brandy Fisher will move from instructional aide to special education aide, while Jennifer Maldonado moves from special education aide to instructional aide. Lindsay Ramirez will be teaching DAEP students instead of special education students at AAC.
PJC Music Student Rebekah Veien Wins Texoma Piano Competition
PJC music student Rebekah Veien of Paris is shown at the piano where she recorded her winning entry in the Texoma Piano Competition.
Paris Junior College music student Rebekah Veien recently took first prize in her category of the Texoma Piano Competition, hosted in April by the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Department of Music. Her virtual entry featured a performance of French composer Claude Debussy’s “The Sunken Cathedral.”
“I had been working on the piece for about a month for our end-of-semester recital,” said Veien. “I had a little more than a week’s notice before the competition. I was skeptical because of that short notice, but I’m glad I did it. I was surprised and I’m definitely excited. It’s a very cool thing to be recognized.”
The piano competition was open to all pianists who live or study in Oklahoma and North Texas, with an objective of providing performance opportunities for young pianists in the area, and also to advance classical music and arts in the community.
Veien competed in the category for ages 19 and above for a piece to last no more than 15 minutes. A music major, the freshman from Paris came to PJC after being homeschooled and was awarded a music scholarship.
“Rebekah is one of my most prodigious students in terms of the piano,” said Dr. Michael Holderer, PJC Music Instructor. “She plays well beyond her 19 years of being on this earth and plays just about anything. In lessons I like to throw a Franz Liszt piece at her and make her sight read it. She’s always been able to do that. I look forward to what the next semester brings.”
Veien’s winning piece, as well as performances from PJC piano and choral students, is available virtually in PJC’s “Spring 2021 Music Concert” available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/GUtoetI048Y.
For more information about the PJC Music Program and music scholarships, contact Dr. Holderer at [email protected] or 903-782-0343.
‘History by Foot’ Participants Will Tour Connally St. at 10AM May 22
Local historian John Sellers stays busy in several areas of interest in his hometown. But his interest in local history was fueled early in life by connections to Sydney Brice and June Tuck, who researched and compiled many of the historical records we now depend on. Also, even earlier, Celia Wright, John C. McDonald and C.O. James were keeping records on Hopkins County that he uses now in his research. Besides currently being Mayor of Sulphur Springs and Advertising Director of City National Bank, he is also President of the Hopkins County Genealogical Society and Marker Chairman for the Historical Society. John also stays active as a historian by speaking and conducting genealogical seminars across the United States. And this month, he is putting on his 19th annul History By Foot Tour, a series he started back in 2011 and which is supported in part through the Downtown Business Alliance.
John shared his plans for this Spring’s Hist by Foot walking tour, set for Saturday May 22 at 10am, with KSST listeners when he sat in on the Good Morning Show with Enola Gay this Tuesday. If you’d like to take the tour, reserve your space by emailing John at [email protected], or phone the H C Genealogical Library at 903-885-8523. Cost is $10 person and the tour is limited to 30 persons. Tour patrons are asked to gather at City Hall prior to 10am.
The May 22 tour will take in Connally Street farther to the west of downtown in this stroll along the improved sidewalks. You’ll learn about the new construction and renovations going on there, as well as the old Stockade, the hotels, some of the sulphur springs, a hospital and a school and the two Connally family homes built there. Catch the entire interview with Sellers on KSST’s Youtube Channel.
Rowena Johnson’s 50-Year Legacy As Educator To Continue At Lamar Campus
Rowena Johnson’s 50-year legacy as an educator will continue at Sulphur Springs ISD at the campus where she dedicated the final 27 years of her career as principal. SSISD Board of Trustees Monday evening voted unanimously to honor Johnson’s dedication to education by changing the name of Lamar Primary to Rowena Johnson Primary School.
Superintendent Mike Lamb noted that the request certainly fits the facilities naming/renaming criteria approved by trustees at their April meeting. As stipulated in number 5 of the policy, Johnson was indeed “a distinguished educator who has retired from service to the district.”
Rowena Johnson’s 50-year legacy speaks for itself. She started out teaching third grade at Houston Elementary in 1970. She then taught elementary students at varying grade levels from third through sixth grade at Bowie Elementary from 1971 to 1991.
Johnson then served as a reading specialist from 1991 to 1993 at Travis Elementary. In 1993, she became the first SSISD female African American elementary principal at Lamar Elementary in 1993, a position she continued to serve in until her retirement in June 2020.
Under Johnson’s leadership, Lamar received the top rating of exemplary from the Texas Education Agency for 14 consecutive years. Her school received recognition from “Just for The Kids” and many Distinguished School honors as well. She also received several honors, including being named Teacher of the Year, a Region 8 Nominee for the National Distinguished Principal of the Year, and Educator of the Year, and Administrator of the Year.
“That’s a grand total of 50 years in education, all in Sulphur Springs,27 of them being in Lamar’s building itself,” Lamb noted. “When the district policy says when naming a district facility the board shall use due diligence, due diligence is in those things we’ve talked about for several months.”
Johnson was recognized in June 2020 for her service, upon her retirement. The long-time beloved educator passed away last summer. While her legacy lives on in the generations of students she taught, young educators she mentored and students inspired to be like their principal.
Renaming Lamar as Rowena Johnson Primary will ensure Rowena Johnson’s 50-year legacy continues, setting a standard for dedication, commitment, faith and caring.
“There is absolutely no doubt in this case for somebody to spend 50 years in education, 27 of them in the same building. I can’t think of a more deserving set of criteria, not to mention just who Ms. Johnson was and what she did for that campus in that period of time. To say, I’m proud, proud, proud to recommend that we rename this building. I’ve never seen a more deserving situation than this right here. So, I would ask that you consider and vote tonight that we rename this school building on behalf of Ms. Rowena Johnson,” Lamb said.
SSISD Board of Trustees President Jason Dietze made the motion which was seconded by Trustee Kerry Wright, to grant the request for the campus at 825 Church Street to become Rowena Johnson Primary.
Johnson’s sister, two of her nieces and a great-nephew cheered and lead a standing ovation when grinning Board President Robert Cody announced the trustees unanimously agreed to honored their loved one’s legacy by renaming Lamar Primary as Rowena Johnson Primary.
“Thank you all so much. You just don’t understand what this means to us,” Marcie Spigner Porter, Johnson’s sister told the school board.
“Thank you for being here. It’s a wonderful family legacy Ms. Johnson left for all of you and really for the entire community. We just say thank you and appreciate her legacy. It’s going to live on for a long time in this community,” Cody said.
“I appreciate you all Thank you,” Porter said.
The administrators noted that while the name change has been approved, a sign and lettering for the building still have to be installed. Lamb anticipates having those items in and an official event for the occasion, likely at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.
Senior Citizens Center Gets a Donation, Plans Health Fair and Shares Activities News
May has been a busy month at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center, with fun activities starting back up and a donation coming in to help with the needs of the Sr’s Center. Director Karon Weatherman shared the timely information with KSST.
Oncor gave Meal A Day a $4,000.00 donation on May 11, 2021. We are so appreciative of every donation we receive. It helps to keep us going. Shown in Photo: Mary Ballard, Karon Weatherman, Larry Willis, Mark Rasmussen, Bea Rasmussen, Cecil Toenigges.
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More fun activites are starting back up for Seniors. Thursday, May 13th we will start playing Balloon Chair Volleyball at 1:00. This should be lots of fun, too. We will play on the 2nd Thursday of each month. We also play LCR at 10:45 on the 2nd Thursday of Each Month. Come and try to win a $ 20.00 Gift Card.
Also on Thursday, May 13th at 1:00 PM will be the Volunteer Fair.. It will held at the ROC at 1st Baptist Church. I have 21 Agencies that have signed up that are looking for Volunteers. If you have been thinking of volunteering and didn’t know where, you are welcome to go check the Volunteer Fair out and find a place that fits what you want to do. There will be lots of Door Prizes and Refreshments there for you.
On Tuesday, May 18th from 9:00 – 12:00 Noon there will be a 55+ Health Fair. It will also be held at the ROC at 1st Baptist Church. I have 56 Vendors that will be set up. You will be able to check them all out and see what they have to offer. If you make decisions now when you DON’T need something you will know what you want when you DO need assistance. Don’t let other people make those decisions for you. You can get educated on what is out there for you. Each Vendor will bring a $ 25.00 Door Prize that you can have a chance to win. You can’t win if you don’t show up. Also we will have a Hot Dog Lunch for you to enjoy from 11:00 – 12:30. It will be over in the other side of the ROC.
Don’t forget BUNCO on Thursday May 27th .. It is always on the 4th Thursday of the Month at 1:00 PM Everyone brings $ 5.00 and a Snack to Share. All the money is paid out in Prizes at the end of the Game. If you don’t know how to play it is easy. You can learn in just a minute or two.
On Wednesday, June 2nd at 11:00 Debbie Sheley with the Retirement Gals will be at the Senior Center to talk about Medicare Choices for 2021. She will be Serving Pie and Coffee for everyone that attends. Come get educated. She is very knowledgeable.
On Friday, June 11th at 1:00 PM the 10 Ladies that have signed up to compete in the 2021 Ms Hopkins County Senior Pageant will have a Contestant’s Tea and then Rehearsal for the Pageant. Saturday Night at 6:00 at the Hopkins County Civic Center you can come and cheer on the ladies in the Pageant. The cost is FREE thanks to our Sponsor. I have 10 ladies that are competing this year. There is always room for more if you decide you want to compete. Just let me know.
The Parkinson’s Support Group is starting back on Tuesday, May 18th at 11:30. This will be the 1st support meeting since we stopped for COVID.
Tuesday, June 29th at 1:00 PM will be the Annual Ice Cream Freeze Off. I know everyone loves Ice Cream.. You will want to come and sample as many as your tummy will let you. It is always a fun delicious event. Bring Your Friends.
I have an Affiliated Driving Course scheduled for Thursday, July 29th at 10:00 AM if you would like to get 10% off of your Liability Insurance you should take this course.. It is a good Refresher Course on Driving Situations and New Driving Laws. This class is also good for a Ticket Dismissal.
Also don’t forget that Line Dancing Class will be EVERY Tuesday now at 1:30! AND our Monthly Birthday Party is on Friday, May 28th at 10:45. If it is your Birthday Month you will receive a Birthday Gift from our Sponsors!
Jason Hudson Recognized For 20 Years Of Leadership TO Cumby ISD
Cumby ISD administrators recently recognized the Cumby ISD Board of Trustees President Jason Hudson for 20 years of “outstanding leadership, devotion, and commitment to the Cumby ISD Board of Trustees.”
Slaughter and school administrators arranged for Cumby ISD Board of Trustees President Jason Hudson’s family to be on hand when they celebrated his two decades of service on the school board. Slaughter presented Hudson with a plaque as well as cards and notes from the school offices and campuses during the May 6 school board meeting.
“It’s been a good 20. I don’t know how much more I’ve got in the tank, but I’ll say, it’s been awesome. I’ve served with some wonderful people. It’s an honor and a privilege. I thank y’all for allowing me to be here. I always welcome somebody taking over this seat right here,” Hudson said, gesturing to chair he occupies at the head of the table as board president.
Serving on the school board, especially as president, “can be a hot seat at times.” It is a balancing act, making sure to honor those deserving, paying respect where due, and doing so with humility, the honoree noted.
“It’s tough at times and I always welcome it to other people. I believe it is my 8th or 9th year as board president. Some times, as we said a while ago about the audit, it’s good to have change. But I will say, it has been an awesome ride. I thank y’all for allowing me to be here,” Hudson said.
Initially, Hudson had only planned to serve on term on the board, but Jan Bivins decided he needed to remain on the board, instructing him to run for another term. Upon reelected to the school board, Hudson was appointed as an officer. He has continued to be reelected to the board each term since as a means to give back to the youth of the community.
“Giving back to youth of the community and that’s what we want to do. We talked about we all have a shelf life. It’s important that we encourage, that we grow our students and get them ready for the next level. So, we hope some of these other students right here, will be right here with us,” Hudson said of the current CISD students.
He pledged as a board member to continue work “to make sure we’re prepared and doing our tax payers due diligence,” especially the school bond funds that will furnish needed campus improvements, renovations as well as a new high school and ag building.
“We’ve gotten a lot of things accomplished. It’s very special, probably one of the biggest things was on Saturday (May 1), passed the second school bond in school history. If you don’t get excited on that, I don’t know what to tell you. We’re very excited moving forward and talking about the possibility of breaking dirt in maybe 45 days,” Hudson said.
SH 11 West Stop Results In Man’s Arrest On A Denton County Warrant
A State Highway 11 west stop resulted in a Sulphur Springs man’s arrest Friday night on a Denton County warrant, while a Dike woman was jailed Friday afternoon on a probation warrant, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chris Baumann reported a computer check of a Toyota Corolla’s license plate showed the car to be registered to Sean Paul Arrington, a man who wanted by Denton County authorities. Baumann conducted an investigative stop on the car on State Highway 11 west at County Road 4710 May 7. Upon contact with the occupants, Arrington was confirmed to be in the car. Baumann took the 26-year-old Sulphur Springs man into custody and transported him to jail on the Denton County warrant.
Arrington remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, May 10, 2021, on the Denton County warrant for failure to appear on a sexual coercion charge.
Kalen Reigh Halbert was taken into custody at Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center just after 3 p.m. May 7 by Corrections Officer Courtny Steward on a warrant. The 27-year-old Dike, Tx woman was booked into Hopkins County jail for violation of probation, which she was on for an April 3, 2019 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. She remained in Hopkins County jail on the warrant Monday, May 10, 2021; the violation is alleged to have occurred on Nov. 6, 2020.
Commissioners Approve Plat Requests For 2 Housing Additions in Hopkins County
Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved plat requests for two housing additions in Hopkins County during the regular court meeting Monday, May 10, 2021.
Beckham Addition
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price said as far as he could tell the final plat submitted by the developer for Beckham Addition meets county requirements. Fire Marshal Andy Endsley also reviewed the request and approved it as meeting fire codes, according to Price.
Beckham Addition, a 13.05 acre lot is part of the remained of a 46-acre tract located along County Road 4760, about half a mile west of State Highway 19 in Beckham Community in Precinct 4. The development divides the lot into 10 lots, numbered 1-10, all except one of which are 1 acre each. Lot 6 is 2.8 acres. The property is owned by Joe and Patricia Jennings, according to the final plat submitted to the Commissioners Court for approval this morning.
Price made a motion, which was seconded by Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker, to approve the final plat for Beckham Addition. The motion received unanimous approval of the court.
Anna Lake Estates
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley reported as far he knows the the preliminary plat submitted for Anna Lake Estates, the second housing addition, does comply with county regulations.
The 19.61-acre property fronts the roadway on three sides, north of FM 900 on one side, County Road CR 3541 on two sides as well. Anna Lake Estates and is about 1 1/2 mile north of US Highway 67. The property has eight lots to be developed. Lots range from 1.6 acres to 3.19 acres. The property belongs to Leon and Anna Carpenter, and Shannon Carpenter,
Barker made the motion, seconded by Barker, to approve the preliminary plat of Anna Lake Estates. That motion also received unanimous approval of the court.
Lady Cat Mariam Tran Fires First Round 2-Over Par 74 on Day 1 at State Golf Tourney Monday
Lady Cat senior golfer Mariam Tran played a solid round of golf on the first day of the two-day State Class 5A Golf Tournament Monday (May 10) at White Wing Golf Club in Georgetown.
At last report, with a majority of girls still playing, Tran’s 2-over par 74 was good enough for a 16th place tie.
Tran is 6 strokes behind the leader at last report.
Tran, who teed off at 8 a.m. Monday, is paired with the early leader in the clubhouse, Mason Lewis of Granbury, who shot 68, 4 under par, and with Mattingly Palmer of Georgetown, who shot an even par round of 72 and is tied for 9th place, at last report.
There are 71 players in the field.
Round two will take place Tuesday at White Wing.
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.
