Cooper Lake State Park Activites for September 2023
Rediscover the Splendor of Nature this September at Cooper Lake State Park! Cooper, TX— While the Texas sun still produces many days in the 90’s during September, we can feel the promise of fall. Cooper Lake State Park beckons visitors with the fun of early autumn adventures and hands-on learning experiences. This September, immerse yourself in a curated collection of 15 educational and recreational programs, each designed to rekindle...
Big Tex Writes a Doctor’s Note
August 31, 2023 – To combat the problem of coming up with an excuse to take off of work to attend this year’s State Fair of Texas, “Dr.” Big Tex is offering some help by sending your boss a doctor’s note to combat State Fair Fever. His Prescription?: A health dose of fair food, thrilling rides, and general fair fun! The folks at the State Fair of Texas have taken this tongue-in-cheek campaign even...
Dove Hunters Warned About Wildfires
August 30, 2023 – During the upcoming dove hunting season, Texans are urged to help protect the lands and natural resources that we all love by being mindful of activities that may cause a wildfire. Persistent triple-digit temperatures and minimal rainfall over the past two months have resulted in extremely dry vegetation across the state, which increases the likelihood of dangerous wildfires. Any outdoor activities that create...
Temporary Fossil Park in Ladonia
August 30, 2023 – Along the banks of the North Sulphur River, construction is underway on Lake Ralph Hall which will evenutally cover 12 square miles. The Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) is in charge of the project. Construction of the new lake has displaced a fossil park along the shores under a the State Highway 34 bridge, but fossil hunters are still in luck as a temporary park has opened while construction of...
Burn Ban In Effect for Hopkins County
August 28, 2023 – The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court voted to enact a burn ban for Hopkins County effective immediately. No outdoor burning of any kind will be allowed during the ban. The dry conditions and lack of rain have elevated drought conditions across the State of Texas and few counties are left without burn bans. Hopkins County recently entered the “Abnormally Dry” level on the Texas Drought...
Eggshells and Banana Peels for your Tomato Plants From Master Gardener David Wall
There’s a lot of confusion lately about what egg shells can do for your tomatoes. Literature, in the past, recommended putting egg shells in the planting hole before you transplant. It’s also recommended you crack an egg and drop the whole thing in the hole. This will help your tomato plant perhaps late in the season or, better yet, if you plant a tomato in the same spot next year! The calcium in egg shells is highly desired by tomato...
ERCOT Operating on Thin Margins
August 25, 2023 – As record heat continues all across Texas, cooler temperatures cannot come soon enough to give Texas’ Power Grid some needed relief. ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) has issued several Voluntary Conservation Requests across Texas during the heat wave as the difference between forecasted supply and demand on the grid has been very narrow. As the pastel lines on the graph below get closer...
Hopkins County Enters Drought, Burn Ban Coming?
August 25, 2023 – Although North East Texas has avoided severe drought so far this summer, the latest repot from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows Hopkins County has now entered the lowest level of drought at the D0 or “Abnormally Dry” stage. As other counties in Texas are rapidly moving up the scale, some in Central Texas have achieved the most severe level of D4 or “Exceptional Drought” and more counties...
2024 Lights of Life Gala Theme Announced
August 24, 2023 – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Annual Gala has become a cult event among locals for its over-the-top themes, delicious meals, elaborate décor, on-your-feet dance bands,and wonderful auctions. Adding to the evening is the fact that proceeds are used for improvement of local healthcare offerings. One of the first announcements each year after the Gala chairs are made public is the theme. Through the...
State Fair of Texas Announces New Minors Policy
August 15, 2023 The State Fair of Texas is proud to be a family-friendly environment for visitors of all ages to celebrate all things Texan. As an added safety measure, the State Fair is implementing an AFTER 5 P.M. MINORS POLICY. During the 2023 State Fair of Texas, starting at 5:00 p.m. daily, all minors, age 17 and under, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone (21+) when entering the Fair. Parents, guardians, or...