FM1870 Improvements Begin Monday
PARIS – The Texas Department of Transportation today announced that contractor Highway 19 Construction LLC will begin improving FM 1870 in Hopkins County on Monday, March 28. TxDOT officials granted the contractor 120 working days, weather permitting, to complete this project at an estimated cost of more than $1.7 million. Work will proceed as weather permits, but should be completed in August 2016. The contractor will extend drainage...
Have an Egg-cellent Spring
by Johanna Hicks Happy Spring and Easter from our Staff It’s spring – – the season to enjoy the great outdoors and to celebrate special occasions like Easter, Mother’s Day, and graduation. While eggs are used all year, they are especially popular for many spring and summertime activities. They are used for cooking festive delights and for decorating and hiding just before the big Easter egg hunt. Eggs are perishable and...
Water Quality Training: The Importance of Water
by Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D. It is easy to understand the importance of water as a need and resource for our society. Both extremes (the absence or abundance of water) can provoke catastrophic consequences. Recently (as early as last year) we suffered both sides of the equation in the same year. Although a normal recurrence, the absence or abundance of water can cause stress in farmers and ranchers and communities as well. Both...
Lights of Life Funds to Be Presented Wednesday at Celebration Reception
Wednesday, March 23, 2016, 6:00p.m. – 7:00p.m., at the Sulphur Springs Country Club, the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation board members will host a “Celebration” reception and check presentation of the funds raised from the 2015-2016 Lights of Life Campaign & Gala. Donna Rudzik, Gloria Mitchell and Polly Swatsell, 2015-2016 Campaign Chairs, will recognize and thank the generous sponsors and guests who contributed to...
Soil Management
by Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D. Soil management is an important component of ranch management. During our grass or hay production process, soil nutrients get transformed from inner materials into forage and then into beef or milk. It is a basic cycle that has kept us producing the food we consume and at the same time protecting our resources in an environmentally accepted process. In our region, several conditions can make this process...
Business History Month: Big Smith’s Bar-B-Q & Catfish
Big Smith’s is owned and operated by Steve and Donna Smith of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Steve and Donna have been married for 30 years. They have lived in Hopkins County for 27 years, raised their two sons there, and lovingly call it their home. Steve and Donna are very active with the Boy Scouts. They’ve been leaders for 16 years. The two believe very strongly in being positive role models and helping mold young men with...
Business History Month: Big Smith’s Bar-B-Q & Catfish
Big Smith’s is owned and operated by Steve and Donna Smith of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Steve and Donna have been married for 30 years. They have lived in Hopkins County for 27 years, raised their two sons there, and lovingly call it their home. Steve and Donna are very active with the Boy Scouts. They’ve been leaders for 16 years. The two believe very strongly in being positive role models and helping mold young men with...
Chamber Connection March 3rd, 2016 by Meredith Caddell
Chamber Connection March 3rd, 2016 by Meredith Caddell Attention all Bicyclists…Spring Fever Bike Rally will take place in SS, March 12h! Mark your calendars NOW for the Spring Fever Bike Rally sponsored by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. Bikers will have the opportunity to ride in one of 4 rides…10 miles, 27 miles, 37 miles or 60 miles. The ride will be through some of our beautiful East Texas communities on...
Eleven Former NETO Employees Indicted by Federal Grand Jury
Eleven former employees of Northeast Texas Opportunities, commonly referred to as NETO, were named in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury charging the 11 with conspiracy to commit an offense against and to defraud the U S Government of government property or money. The indictments were handed down in February in Eastern District Federal Court in Texarkana. The 11 are alleged to have caused losses of over $1.2...
A Summer Between Two Winters
by Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D Our winter suddenly is starting to warm up. With the increase of temperature, plant activity in lawns and gardens starts to kick in. I have visited with several members of our community who are even getting their lawnmowers getting ready to start an early mowing season. IT is however important to remember that the chances for cold days are not over and it will be wise to have a way of protect our...
