Fall Transplants by Mario Villarino
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
If you haven’t already done so, this is the time to begin sowing seeds for fall transplants. According to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension by starting now, you can have pansies, calendulas, Johnny-jump-ups, flowering cabbage, lettuce and othe cool season transplants ready to plant in the garden in September or early October.
If starting your own transplants has been disastrous for you in the past, especially in spring, take heart because starting fall transplants is easier. Since the soil is not as cool as it is in spring, there is not much damping-off disease. Gardeners are able to start the transplants outside where they receive plenty of sunlight; however, don’t let transplants get too much sun. Morning sun and afternoon shade are a good combination. Although many different containers can be used to grow seeds, one of the most convenient is a styrofoam coffee cup. Simply poke three or four holes in the side at the bottom of the cup. Write the name of the variety on the side of the cup so it won’t get lost, as so often happens with labels. Another advantage of using coffee cups is that they’re white and reflect heat.
The next major concern is a potting soil mix. Many standard potting soils will work fairly well, but you can make your own. To one bushel each of vermiculite and peat moss (finely ground pine bark can be substituted for peat moss), add 10 tablespoons of 0-20-0 (superphosphate) and l/2 cup of garden fertilizer, such as 12-24-12. Mix the material thoroughly by putting the ingredients out on the drive, scooping into the bottom and throwing each shovelful on top, pyramid fashion. Another technique is to roll the mixture back and forth in an old tarp. The soil should be slightly watered down so it’s damp but not soggy. Most seeds should be barely covered with the soil mix, but some tiny seeds like lettuce need not be covered at all. Water them thoroughly, preferably by setting them in a pan of water and allowing the soil to soak from the bottom. Allow the containers to drain and then put them in a plastic bag out of sunlight. Within a few days the seedlings will begin to grow. As soon as this happens, take the containers out of the bags and put them in a well-ventilated area. As the seedlings begin to make growth, use any soluble houseplant fertilizer to keep them growing vigorously.If you’ve had problems with disease in the past, you might want to use a fungicide twice: once at planting and again at germination. Lightly dust the seeds prior to planting. A fungicide can also be used to drench young seedlings just as they come up.
Before you know it, you’ll have a pot full of tiny seedlings that can either be transplanted into individual containers, or if there aren’t too many in the pot, held until time to go into the garden. Perhaps the simplest technique is just to plant two or three seeds in each pot, thinning them to one plant after a few weeks.If you opt for transplanting, be sure that you handle the young seedling only by the leaves. If you grasp the stem and damage it to any extent, the young seedling will be stunted. Pots for transplants should be filled to within l/4 inch of the rim. A pencil can be used to put a hole in the center of the potting soil mixture. This is where a little moisture is critical; dry soil won’t allow the soil to stay open. Carefully lower the seedling roots into the hole and then use the pencil again in a lever-like action to firm the soil against the root system. Be sure to water the plants carefully, picking up any leaves that get knocked into the soil. Before you know it, you’ll be eating delicious, home-grown broccoli.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topics please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office by calling 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Don’t Delay Seeking Medical Care For Serious Conditions
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CMFH-SS, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, July 14, 2020 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Don’t Delay …
At CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, we understand the impact of social distancing and importance of limiting your risk of exposure to COVID-19. However, the public should be confident in continuing to seek the care they need, especially in the case of an emergency.
Our Emergency Department in Sulphur Springs is here to safely provide care for life-threatening illness and injury. We urge you: please do not ignore symptoms of stroke, heart attack, issues with diabetes, COPD and other urgent health conditions. Also, please seek immediate care for the emergency warning symptoms of COVID-19 such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in chest, new confusion, or bluish lips or face.
We want to be perfectly clear – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances remains a safe place for all to receive quality care. Go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 if you are urgently ill.
While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and preventing the spread of illness are not. To learn more about COVID-19, go to ChristusTMF.org or www.cdc.gov.
Hospital Visitation
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
1 Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
1 Visitor per patient
Visitors must be between the ages of 16 years-old and 65-years old
All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
3-D Mammography: Now Scheduling
We are excited to announce the soft opening of our Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. Using our new Hologic Genius 3D Mammography with biopsy equipment purchased with funds raised by the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation, we are now performing 3-D mammograms right here in Sulphur Springs.
There are plans to host a grand opening of the new addition very soon. For more information, call 903.439.4325.
Clinic Services
Urgent Care
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care, located at 1339 South Broadway St. in Sulphur Springs, is now OPEN. The Urgent Care hours will be Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The phone number to reach Urgent Care is 903.951.1001.
Gastroenterology
Our highly trained team offers some of the latest treatment options for patients with a wide range of complex gastrointestinal disorders, including screening, diagnosis, and advanced treatments.
Have you scheduled your colon cancer screening? By the time people have symptoms of colon cancer, their chances of survival may be reduced; if detected early, this cancer is highly curable.
Our facility has all of the measures in place to provide a safe place to receive your screening procedures. Reach us today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Mena Milad, or Chimdi Mfebe, FNP by calling 903-885-1770.
Sports Physicals
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, in conjunction with CHRISTUS Sports Medicine program is providing sports physicals for all school athletes from any school district. The physicals are available at the CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic in Sulphur Springs Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $25 and appointments may be made by calling 903.885.3181.
We want to reassure our patients that CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital continue to be a safe place to receive your care, and we encourage you to follow up with your regular healthcare needs. For any reason you cannot come into the clinic, or do not feel comfortable, virtual visits and telephone visits are available. Please contact your provider to discuss all of the many options for accessing care.
Commissioners Approve Infrastructure Grant, Solar Reinvestment Zone, Mental Health Transport Agreement
Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved resolutions Monday agreeing to give the county judge authority to sign off on documents granting a reinvestment zone for Pine Forest Solar LLC and to move forward with a grant that would provide some funding for county road improvements. Health insurance and a multi-agency mental health transports agreement were also approved by the commissioners court during the July 13, 2020 session.
TAC Health and Employee Benefit Pool Plan
County officials asked the court to consider a health and employee benefit pool plan through Texas Association of Counties for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook reported the plan being recommended is the exact same plan county employees have had for the past year, except that the rate will be a little bit lower. Instead of paying $682.76, the county would pay $675.92 per employee a month.
Employees are responsible for paying for insurance for spouse and children’s fees, if they choose to enroll them in the insurance plan., and the rate on that has gone down as well, Aulsbrook reported.
“You’re passing the rates for the 2020-21 year. So it does affect the 2020-21 budget but we have to pass it right now because is starts in 2020,” Aulsbrook said.
The Commissioners unanimously approved the TAC Health and Employee Benefits Pool Plan to provide the same level of employee health insurance at a marginally reduced rate.
Reinvestment Zone
During the public hearing for a proposed reinvestment zone for Pine Forest Solar LLC, Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Roger Feagley noted that the county was being asked to approve a reinvestment zone.
Feagley explained that hospitals and district can not do 381 agreements, so they have to do 312 agreements, which is a typical tax abatement.
“So what you are doing is establishing an area where the hospital district can in the future can do a tax abatement for Pine Forest Solar LLC,” Feagley told the commissioners. “All you’re doing is establishing a geographical boundary, nothing more than that.”
Como-Pickton Consolidated Independent School District, within which the reinvestment zone for the solar far is located, “has already done this” Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin noted.
The reinvestment zone is located on an approximately 1,853.66-acre tract or tracts of land in the Lucy Ann Collum, John Fizer, WalterMatthew, Francis R. Turner, David Waggoner and BJ McLerin surveys, Abstract Nos.164, 328, 630, 972, 1116 and 1016. The zone is on or near County Road 2310 and FM 269 Hopkins County, and leased/owned by Pine Forest Solar, LLC, of Dallas.
The Commissioners approved the resolution for the proposed Reinvestment Zone with Pine Forest Solar LLC, as a means to “promote local economic growth and development and to stimulate business in the County.” The resolution gives Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom authority to sign documents related to the establishment of the reinvestment zone for Pine Forest Solar LLC, a $252 million project.
Mental Health Transports Agreement
Hopkins County Commissioners Court was asked to approve a memorandum of understanding between Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, Hopkins County Commissioners Court, Hopkins County Attorney, Sulphur Springs Police Department, Hopkins County Emergency Medical Services and Lakes Regional Community Center regarding transportation in cases of apprehension by a peace officer without a warrant (APOWW) or a warrantless emergency detention.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said the issues with the growing need for mental health transports date back at least to to Butch Adams terms as sheriff
“We just do not have the manpower to sit with these individuals or transport them unless they are combative, which 90 percent of these are not,” Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum told the commissioners court, noting that his staff racked up “$3,000 cost just in man hours just to sit with” the mental health patient “for no apparent reason.”
Tatum said based on last year, the county can expect to have 30-35 patients who need transports annually.
“If they have insurance, they are already transported by EMS. If they do not have insurance, we have to transport them,” Tatum said. “These people are in need of medical attention which we cannot provide. I think it takes the liability off of us. Also, it protects the individuals needing this care to be transported by medical personnel to where their destinations is other than having to be thrown in the back of a patrol car and driven to wherever they need to go without there being any monitoring of them whatsoever.”
The sheriff noted that he personally made the last two mental health transports. “I wasn’t going to put a deputy in that position so I went on the last 2 of them myself,” Tatum said.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley asked if he understood correctly that it will cost the county $150 for EMS to transport a mental health patients.
“That was the agreement [Chief Deputy] Tanner [Crump] and them did work out with the county judge and everybody,” Tatum said.
The MOU has already been signed by all of the other entities involved, Tatum noted.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker asked if the agreement is valid for 1 year contract or is an ongoing agreement. Tatum said it is his understanding the agreement is ongoing. Bartley pointed out the date on the draft states it became effective July 1 and he did not on first glance through the document see an end date.
Bartley made the motion to approve the 3-page MOU, which he noted will be less expensive for the county and safer. The commissioners unanimously approved the MOU regarding transportation of mental health patients.
County Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program
Hopkins County applied for grant funds under the County Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program and the Texas Department of Transportation awarded Hopkins County with a total eligible grant award of $137,172. Some counties opted not to participate in the program, so funds that would have gone to them will likely go back into the fund, which could mean additional funding for participating counties, according to Beth Wisenbaker, who helps the county with grants.
Before the Hopkins County can receive any reimbursements from the eligible grant amount, the Commissioner Court must enter into a grant agreement with TxDOT.
The funding will be divided among the four Precincts. County Roads listed for potential repairs include County Road 1158, along County Road 2339/2316, the north end of County Road 4763 and County Road 3332, according to Wisenbaker.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved the resolution authorizes the County Judge to sign all invoices, certifications, and any other necessary documentation related to the County Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program, in order to move those projects along more expediently.
COVID-19 Update: 2 New Cases Reported July 13 for Hopkins County
The Hopkins County Emergency Management Team at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 13, gave a brief COVID-19 update. The officials reported they have been notified of 2 new positive COVID-19 cases for Hopkins County, and 14 additional recoveries.
That brings the total of positive COVID-19 cases reported since March for Hopkins County to 88. So far, 65 Hopkins County patients have recovered from COVID-19. That leaves 23 active cases of COVID-19 for Hopkins County.
Two patients are in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. One is from Hopkins County and one is from a surrounding county.
One death that was erroneously reported by the State of Texas over the weekend for Hopkins County has been removed from the state website.
Edge Conditioning Program Is Heading Down The Stretch With Increased Competition
Skill work at SSISD’s The Edge conditioning program began to look a lot more like football Monday, July 13. Wildcats Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Greg Owens said the UIL is now allowing more competition and team drills. Monday the Wildcats did some 7-on-7 work, some 1-on-1 drills and even offense versus defense scheme competition.
Coach Owens said the Wildcats’ coaching staff was eager to get started with this new stuff and, he said, Edge attendees were excited. He said the varsity had a spirited session in which they really got after it pretty good. He added it was fun.
Coach Owens is hoping for increased attendance during the final 2 weeks of The Edge, which wraps up Friday, July 24. He said some key players have been missing but, he’s hoping they will get there soon. Coach Owens said there are a lot of vacations and family events going on.
He said as far as he knows, football practice is still scheduled to get under way on Monday, August 3. Coach Owens said he continues to wait for the latest from the UIL.
Emergency Management Officials: State-Reported COVID-19 Death Confirmed To Be An Error
The state-reported COVID-19 death assigned to Hopkins County on July 12 on the Texas Health and Human Services/Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 website has been confirmed to be an error, entered in error by the state, a member of the Hopkins County Emergency Management Team reported at 12:35 p.m. Monday, July 13.
The HCEMT officials, upon being made aware of the report, contacted state officials both July 12 and Monday morning, because they had not been notified that a COVID-19 death had occurred. At 12:35 p.m., local officials reported they’d just been notified by the state that the death assigned July 12 to Hopkins County was reported in error.
There have been no COVID-19 deaths among Hopkins County residents. The state COVID-19 dashboard, however, still reflects the error, and will likely continue to show it until HHS/DSHS’ next reporting period.
This marks at least the 6th time state officials have had to correct COVID-19 case data from Hopkins County. On at least two occasions the Local Health Authority reported a case was counted twice; those cases were subtracted from Hopkins County’s case count on the state website. This marks the fourth time that the state has reported a COVID-19 death, without notifying local officials before posting the data.
Hopkins County challenged one of state-reported COVID-19 death determinations as the patient had other health conditions leading death, although the patient was confirmed positive COVID-19. The second death, reported the same weekend, was reported by local emergency management officials to have been a duplicate of the first report. The third time a COVID-19 fatality was reported for Hopkins County it was removed from the state website after a few days and reported by local authorities to have been a “duplicate or error” as well.
The HCEMT officials said the numbers they report are released only after they have been confirmed by local and state authorities.
*Updated* Local Health Authority Still In Dark On State-Reported COVID-19 Death
KSST News has received information from our local Emergency Management Team that this latest state reported death has been determined to be a mistake.
For the fourth time, the Texas Health and Human Services/Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 website has registered a death from COVID-19 to Hopkins County, and for the fourth time the Local Health Authority reports to KSST News that they have still not been notified in the day after the state has reported a Covid-19 death.
Hopkins County challenged one of the determinations as the patient had other health conditions leading to his or her death, although the patient was confirmed positive COVID-19. The second death, reported the same weekend, was reported by local emergency management officials to have been a duplicate of the first report. A third case disappeared from the state website after a few days was explained locally as a “duplicate or error.”
In asking about this latest report, KSST News was told that our local officials have still have not been notified with any information about this latest reported death, and that the news media would be notified through normal channels when they had any information.
The 3 prior death reports aren’t the only times the state has removed data after the posted information was called into question by Hopkins County emergency management and health authorities. On at least two occasions the state has removed a case from the overall positive case count assigned to Hopkins County. This was after the Local Health Authority discovered a duplicate case in each instance, local emergency management officials have reported.
Because the state website typically reflects counts from the previous day or evening, duplicate or erroneous have remained on the state website for 1-2 additional days before being corrected.
This latest death was reported on the HHS/DSHS website on Sunday, July 13. With the State of Texas registering almost 3,200 deaths in the state, it is certainly understandable that errors will be made assigning these deaths to the 254 counties in Texas. The frustrating part for local officials must be in getting timely information, although we are told they are in contact with state officials on a daily basis.
Veteran Guild Quilter Becky Richardson Enjoys Charity Projects, Sit-n-Sews, Retreats
Mrs. Becky Richardson loves to quilt, and is a member of Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild of Hopkins County. She had just returned from a trip to Indiana to visit her sister Brenda, also a quilter, when she shared her exciting hobby with us for KSST News.
“This is a Table Topper I just made from 4 leftover quilt blocks from making a quilt. Some months back, we had a speaker come to a Guild Meeting and she encouraged us to use our “orphan blocks” to create new projects. She showed us many ways we can use them. I have been quilting seriously for over 10 years and I had a large bin of them, in all colors, sizes, and patterns. In one evening I made 6 items out of blocks that had been laying around for years. It felt so good to give them a new life and make them useful and on display to be enjoyed!”
“One year ago I bought a mid arm machine which I’m using to quilt my quilt tops. At that time I had 24 quilt tops and my goal was to get them quilted into completed quilts which I would then gift to family members and friends. Well, here it is a year later and I have quilted at least 12 of my quilts but I haven’t stopped making new ones…..so guess what! I now have around 28 quilt tops needing quilted! And I am also quilting for the public, which helps to pay for my addiction. I really am a quilting addict!”
“The “Spring Twist’ table topper pattern was a Jenny Doan pattern. When my sister used to live here, we first saw Jenny speak and entertain at a show in Waco. The company Jenny owns is called Missouri Star Quilting Company and the entire town of Hamilton, Missouri is just about taken up with that one large industry! Jenny is talented and delightful and has a show called “Jenny on the Road” A lot of quilters get their inspiration from her, including us! My sister and I grew up sewing, at first on doll clothes with a needle and thread. My first pieced quilt was in a simple Fencerail pattern, and I made the blocks and set them together into a top, all stitched by hand. So I have always quilted. I retired in 2016 and I had people ask me if I had a retirement plan. I would tell them “yes, I plan to quilt!” And that is exactly what I have done, and have enjoyed every minute of it. I have a whole group of wonderful quilting friends who all have the same passion. We get together for a few hours to sew at what we call a “Sit N’ Sew” , we also go to Quilting Retreats which last 4 or 5 days! They are so much fun. We sew, share ideas and patterns and encourage and teach each other. I now attend 6 of these a year! And I love them!”
“Our group also makes and quilts Charity Quilts which are donated through the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild in Sulphur Springs. These quilts go to many different organizations that serve the public, so they have a wide spread impact on the Sulphur Springs area. According to Becky, members have been privileged to share their talents with the community in the form of quilts and donations of money, ever since the guild’s inception more than 20 years ago. All the members are caring and generous individuals with a desire to “give back” for local needs. Some of the organizations which have received donated quilted items include CASA, the Child Advocacy Center, Shadow Ranch, the SS Fire Department and Police Department, as well as moms of new babies at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital”
“If you have have any interest in quilting, plan to attend a Guild Meeting (when we get to resume meetings!). You will not be disappointed. It’s appropriate for any level quilter, and you will meet so many wonderful, caring people. I promise, it will enrich your life! Here’s the email address so you can get in touch with Guild President Denise Givney for more information on the club, that’s [email protected]. Or check out the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild Facebook page! Unfortunately, our 21st annual show set for September 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19. But we will still hold the annual Quilt Raffle. Tickets will soon be available!”
Man Allegedly Tossed Pipe, Had Meth In His Sock
Sulphur Springs, TX – July 13, 2020 – A 21-year-old Sulphur Springs man allegedly tossed a pipe following a disturbance. He was later found to have methamphetamine in his sock, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police officers were dispatched to a disturbance in the 1500 block of East Industrial Drive around 4 p.m. July 12, 2020. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the alleged victim as well as the 21-year-old. Officers asked the man to leave, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Adrian Pruitt alleged in arrest reports.
The 21-year-old man allegedly said he was leaving, but walked around the rear of the complex, where he hid inside of a maintenance shop. When officers opened the shed door, they reported seeing the man throw a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. Consequently, the Sami Sami Jr. of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody and transported to jail for tampering physical evidence with intent to impair.
Upon arrival at the jail, corrections officers alleged seeing Sami remove an item from his sock and place it in his waistband. When officers spoke to Sami, he admitted to putting another glass pipe inside of his waistband and to having a baggy containing a crystal-like substance officers believed to be meth; it was removed from his sock, Pruitt alleged in arrest reports.
Consequently, Sami was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:42 p.m. July 12 for tampering with evidence and possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
CR 2403 Resident Found At Residence Following Manhunt
Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 37-year-old County Road 2403 resident found at his residence following a manhunt Sunday; he was charged on outstanding warrants, according to arrest reports.
The 37-year-old was alleged to have been involved in an assault on July 10, 2020 but fled prior to officers’ arrival. While investigating the alleged assault, deputies learned the man had an outstanding parole warrant.
At 11:46 a.m. July 12, 2020, deputies responded at a County Road 2403 residence where a truck associated with the man was reportedly spotted at the location of the prior disturbance. Jesse Lynn Wellborn allegedly ran from deputies. A manhunt ensued involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety. The search covered the Pickton, TX area, according to sheriff’s and arrest reports.
Officers continued searching through the day, but were unsuccessful in locating them man. Eventually the manhunt was called off. Around 11 p.m. deputies, assisted by DPS Trooper Collin Bradshaw returned to the suspect’s residence. Wellborn was located inside and taken into custody at 11:12 p.m. July 12, 2020.
Wellborn was booked into Hopkins County jail at 11:30 p.m. on a violation of parole warrant as well as two others related to assault charge, according to arrest and 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.
