Sulphur Springs City Council Scheduled To Meet 3 Times This Week
Sulphur Springs City Council has a busy week ahead with three meetings scheduled this week, including special meetings on Jan. 7 and Jan. 9 and the regular monthly meeting on Jan. 7.
During the special meetings at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and 6 p.m. Thursday, public hearings will be conducted regarding the annexation of city-owned property, the old Thermo mine, into the city. All interested parties have the right to appear and be heard on the proposed annexation, according to the resolution setting the dates and location for the meeting, passed by the council at their Dec. 3 meeting.
The city council will during their 7 p.m. meeting Jan. 7 be asked to consider approving “land lease agreements at the old Thermo Mine/Luminant property and authorizing the city manager to execute said documents.”
Also on Jan. 7, Kevin Shepard is slated during the 5:30 p.m. meeting to give a presentation regarding housing and infrastructure. Shepard too is listed during the presentations, proclamations and announcements portion of the regular 7 p.m. council meeting Tuesday.
A School Choice Week proclamation is scheduled to be announced during that portion of the regular City Council meeting Tuesday.
The Sulphur Springs City Council will be asked Tuesday night to consider appointing two people to fill seats on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
P&Z Commissioner Kelly Grimes had to resign previously due to personal reasons. Mike Horne had notified the city by the December commission meeting that he too will soon be moving outside of the city limits and, thus, ineligible to continue serving on the committee.
The Dec. 3 City Council meeting agenda called for appointment of two individuals to fill openings on the Planning and Zoning Commission, but the City Council tabled the matter until a list of recommendations from people expressing a desire to serve on the city board could be created.
City Council member John Sellers, who was appointed mayor at the special Dec. 13 meeting, asked about names of individuals who had been talked about at a previous retreat.
City Secretary Gale Roberts reported four individuals had previously been discussed as potential options to fill city boards. However, to her knowledge, none had been contacted prior to the December meeting regarding potential willingness to serve on the commission.
Sellers at that point recommended tabling the appointment until city officials had time to confer and ask people if they’d be willing to serve. The council unanimously agreed, tabling the item until a future meeting.
The City Council will need to remove the item from the table before new appointments can be made.
Appearing again on the Jan. 7 regular meeting agenda is a personnel item related to the city manager.
The personnel item on the 7 p.m. regular meeting agenda for Jan. 7 notes the council may adjourn into executive session to discuss “matters affecting the office of the City Manager including performance review, employment terms and other issues.” Any action on executive session discussion would need to be made in open session.
Tuesday’s regular meeting agenda also includes for council consideration, a resolution directing publication of notice of intention to issue combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation; a proposed ordinance amendment establishing a curfew for minors; a resolution amending authorized representatives of the city’s investment account with TexPool; the city manager’s report; and consent agenda.
Main Street Theater Annual Dinner, Fundraiser Jan. 25
To announce the 2020 season, you and your family are invited to attend the annual fundraiser dinner for Sulphur Springs Main Street Theater on Saturday January 25, from 6-8pm. The location is St. Philips Episcopal Church at 1206 College Street. Cost is $20 for dinner and a one-year membership in the Sulphur Springs Community Players. (cost for ages 17 and under is $15). Live music and entertainment will be part of the evening, as well as door prizes, silent auction and more. You will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance for upcoming shows. To find out more about the MST annual dinner/fundraiser, phone 903-885-0107, visit www.communityplayersinc.com or Facebook-Main Street Theatre
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta Says Wildcats Won Scrappy Game At Princeton Friday
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Clark Cipoletta called the Wildcats 65-51 win at Princeton Friday, January 3, a scrappy game.
He said the Panthers did a good job of coming out and making things tough for the Wildcats. Coach Cipoletta said only good shooting, especially from Grayson McClure and Boo Wilkerson, kept the Wildcats close.
He said early the Wildcats defense was not as tight as they need to be. Coach Cipoletta said part of the problem was the good guards Princeton had. He said the Wildcats played better defense in the second half and that allowed the Wildcats to secure the victory.
Coach Cipoletta said Princeton is a dynamic team that plays hard and is well coached. He said the Panthers are a team the Wildcats might see again in the playoffs.
Coach Cipoletta said he liked seeing four Wildcats in double figures with another player with 9 points. He said that versatility gives the Wildcats lots of options on offense when an opponent tries to shut one player down.
The Wildcats, now ranked #4 in Class 5A, improved their season record to 16-6. They play at Sherman Tuesday night as the second half of a Lady Cat and Wildcat doubleheader against Sherman.
Recommended Products, Methods To Control Sandbur In Pastures And Hay Fields
By Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, Texas
From time to time, the Hopkins County Extension Office gets calls on sandbur control in pastures and hay fields In general, if you had sandbur in a field last year and were unable to control them, there is a good probability they will be back season.
According to the Noble Research Institute, there are four products recommend for sandbur control in pastures and hayfields.
For a product to be recommend, it has to meet a few basic qualifications. First, it must be labeled for the crop it is applied to. It is illegal to apply a pesticide to a crop that is not listed on the label. Second, it has to work. In this instance, it has to control a large percentage of the sandbur when correctly applied. Third, it cannot cause undue crop injury when used according to labeled directions.
There are two broad ways to control sandburs. One is with a preemergent herbicide. This type of herbicide must be applied before the sandbur seed germinate. The only labeled preemergent herbicide for sandbur control in pastures and hay fields is Prowl® H2O.
It is labeled for bermudagrass and other warm-season grasses when in winter dormancy. In southern Oklahoma and northern Texas, the most common application time is February or very early March before the grasses break dormancy. There is a 60-day haying restriction and a 45-day grazing restriction if Prowl® H2O is used. Good results can be obtained from Prowl® H2O if it is properly incorporated by rainfall or irrigation within 10 to14 days of application. It is a fairly expensive treatment.
The other three products for sand-bur control in pastures and hayfields are post-emergent treatments. This means the products must be sprayed onto an emerged sandbur plant.
Pastora® is only labeled for bermudagrass, so applying it on any other type pasture or hayfield is illegal. It must be applied to very small sandbur, and the spray must contact the sandbur plant. For that reason, the bermudagrass should be grazed or hayed very short.
Roundup PowerMax® must be applied immediately after the first hay cutting. It is labeled for use at a rate of 10 ounces per acre on bermudagrass hayfields immediately after the first hay cutting. It will also control many annual grasses other than sandbur. It is important to treat as soon as possible after the first hay cutting.
The fourth product is recommend with caution. It is imazapic, sold under the trade names Plateau® and Panoramic 2SL. The caution is this product will stunt bermudagrass growth for a period of at least 30 days. Some varieties, such as Jiggs and World Feeder, are more prone to crop injury than others. It is labeled for use in most perennial grass species, including native range.
Always follow herbicide label instructions: The label is the law.
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].
Paris District Road Report For The Week of January 6, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Jan. 6, 2020. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.
Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91. Construction on the rehab and widening project is expected to begin Jan. 13.
FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Rd. to US 75. Watch for traffic shifts as workers widen FM 691 to an ultimate five-lane roadway. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a four-way stop intersection and will become a signalized intersection at the conclusion of the construction project.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional one lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road and the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on rebuilding the southbound frontage road.
US 75 Slope Repair at Randell Lake Road, on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road. The southbound frontage road and Randell Lake exit ramp are closed due to a slope failure. Crews are working to lime treat the soils and place underdrains.
US 75 Full Depth concrete repair, Grayson County: crews will be working on US 75, weather permitting, each week from Sunday night thru Thursday night. Lane closures will be present during the nighttime only in order for crews to replace failed concrete. Lane closures begin at 7:30 p.m. and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the day-time.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary day time lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
Cedar Road, Grayson County: just east of SH 11 at Cedar Creek. Cedar Road is closed at Cedar Creek in order to remove and build a new bridge. Traffic on Cedar Road will need to use an alternate route, such as Snap Road, during construction.
Greer Road, Grayson County: just south of FM 901 at Brushy Creek. Greer Road is closed at Brushy Creek in order to remove and build a new bridge. Traffic on Greer Road will need to use an alternate route, such as Sandusky Road, during construction.
FM 901, Grayson County: from US 377 west to the end of maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to address base failures.
FM 1310, Grayson County: from SH 91 to Eisenhower State Park. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on blade leveling the roadway.
US 377, Grayson County: from FM 922 to the Denton County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on blade leveling the roadway.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two lane roadway to a four lane divided section.
County Road 5025, Fannin County: at Delba Creek. County Road 5025 at Delba Creek has been reopened to traffic after completion of the new bridge.
County Road 3810, Fannin County: at Loring Creek. County Road 3810 is closed at Loring Creek while crews remove and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 3810 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
FM 274, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to FM 3321. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on blade leveling the roadway.
Spur 311, Fannin County: from SH 56 to SH 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on blade leveling the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews replace an existing drainage structure; temporary traffic signals will direct traffic.
FM 1448, Franklin County: From Wood County Line to FM 115. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install drainage structures.
IH 30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade Metal Beam Guard Fence.
FM 900, Hopkins County: IH 30 to Franklin County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install drainage structures.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Watch for temporary lane closures and traffic shifts while crews extend cross structures and widen pavement to install passing lanes.
US 82, Lamar County: from BU 82H to Red River County Line. Watch for temporary shoulder/lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
US 82, Red River County: from Lamar County Line to SH 37. Watch for temporary shoulder/lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
SH 24, Delta County: from SH 19 to Hunt County Line. Watch for temporary shoulder and lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
SH 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for work zones as workers upgrade metal-beam guard fence, replace or extend new structures and install safety end treatments.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
SH 66, Hunt County: from near FM 6 to near FM 2642. A project consisting of widening pavement, installing continuous left turn lanes, and safety treating fixed objects is underway. Please be aware of lane closures and workers in this area.
I-30/US69, Hunt County, project to replace metal beam guard fence is underway. Please be cautious when driving in this area.
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Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton Pleased With Wildcats Play In FISD Dr. Pink Tourney Last Week
The Wildcats Soccer Team went 1-2-1 in the prestigious Frisco ISD Dr. Pink Tournament last Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 2-4.
Coach Alexi Upton said their opening 1-1 tie came against a talented and athletic El Paso Montwood team.
He said his team’s 5-1 loss to El Paso Eastlake is just one of those games that happen once or twice a season. He said the Wildcats imploded and fell apart.
Then, came the game the Wildcats and Coach Upton will always remember from this tournament, a 3-1 win over a good Amarillo Caprock team at The Star in the Ford Center. Coach Upton called it a great experience and a great game. The team also got to experience being in a hotel and they took a tour of the FC Dallas facilities.
Coach Upton was also pleased with the way his team played in a narrow 1-0 loss to always tough McKinney North. He said the Wildcats need to work on possessing the ball more and scoring goals.
Coach Upton said his team’s tough schedule will continue in a Longview tournament this Thursday through Saturday. The Wildcats are scheduled to play Jacksonville, Lufkin and Forney, all solid soccer programs.
Master Gardeners: Don't Guess, Soil Test — Your Landscape Will Thank You
By Phyllis Kitten, Master Gardener
For gardens and landscapes, the term soil improvement means making the soil favorable for plants to grow. Many soil conditions can inhibit plant growth, including compaction, poor drainage, low fertility, excess nutrients, and thin topsoil.
Have you ever had your soil tested? To make the soil of your front yard, back yard, and garden the most favorable for growing plants, first have it tested to learn what amendments and nutrients to apply. Then follow the test report’s recommendations.
No single nutrient source is best for every area of the state. Nutrient concentrations change with every site and every management practice. Some of the best money ever spent on landscaping is the relatively small amount needed to have the soil tested.
When to test your soil. Test the soil now if it has not been tested in the past 3 years. Testing in the winter can give you results for your upcoming spring planting.
Your county Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offers soil testing bags and testing information. Submittal forms, forms of payment and additional information are available on the web at http://soiltesting.tamu.edu. If you wish to send your soil sample to a commercial laboratory, use an agronomic, not an environmental, soil-testing lab. Most environmental laboratories are unfamiliar with agronomic soil testing and do not normally make nutrient recommendations.
The routine test determines the soil pH, salinity, nitrates (NO3-N), and levels of the primary nutrients (P – phosphorus, K – potassium, Ca – calcium, Mg – magnesium, Na – sodium, and S – sulfur) available to plants. The routine test will provide the basic N-P-K fertilizer recommendation for selected plants. This test meets most application needs. A routine analysis costs $14 which includes a $2 mail fee.
Collecting a soil sample is only as good as the methods used. Make sure the sample is representative of the area to be treated, and always collect samples to a depth of 6 inches, because the recommendations your get are based on the top 6 inches of soil. Additional sample instructions are included with the submittal form.
Your test results will usually be mailed back to you within a couple of weeks after receiving and working the sample. The report will advise you on which nutrients and how much of each to apply to healthy plants in the “crop grown” portion you indicated on the submittal form.
Don’t guess, soil test. Your landscape will not only thank you but will reward you for years to come.
I-30 Traffic Stops By DPS Net 3 Misdemeanor Arrests
Three interstate traffic stops conducted by Texas Department of Public Safety highway patrol troopers in Hopkins County over the weekend resulted in three misdemeanor arrests, according to arrest reports.
A 27-year-old Texarkana Arkansas woman stopped for equipment violation on a Hyundai Sonata at 10:13 p.m. Jan. 5 at mile marker 132 was found to be wanted on a Dallas County warrant. However, it wasn’t the warrant, which troopers noted was for a “non-extraditable misdemeanor,” but because she wasn’t truthful with the highway patrol who stopped her, according to arrest reports.
The woman initially identified herself by a first name and date of birth, and claimed to have an Arkansas driver’s license, troopers alleged in arrest reports. However, a records check showed no driver’s license for anyone by that name and date of birth. After talking further with the woman, the trooper alleged she gave a different first name and date of birth two years younger that she’d originally told the highway patrol.
A records check using that information showed the Dallas County warrant, for which she would not have been arrested. The DPS trooper did take the Texarkana, Arkansas woman into custody and to jail for failure to identify as a fugitive by giving false information, according to arrest reports.
The 27-year-old Arkansas woman remained in the county jail late Monday morning, Jan. 6; bond on the failure to identify charge was set at $2,000, according to jail reports.
An expired registration resulted in an Arlington man being stopped at 11:45 p.m. Jan. 4, at mile marker 126 by troopers, but was arrested for having drug paraphernalia and four warrants for his arrest.
On contact, the highway patrol trooper alleged he could smell a strong odor of burned marijuana upon contact with the occupant of the Chrysler 300. A records check using the Texas ID card the 38-year-old presented revealed Dallas County warrants for his arrest on driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol content over 0.15, possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana, driving while intoxicated with an open container and possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
A probable cause search of the car allegedly revealed two marijuana “roaches,” resulting in an additional charge for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to arrest reports.
The 38-year-old Arlington man was released from Hopkins County Sunday, Jan. 5, on the paraphernalia charge. Bond on the four Dallas County warrants was set at $1,500 each, according to jail reports.
A 55-year-old Dallas woman was stopped at 3:12 p.m. Jan. 4, at mile marker 130 on I-30 for speeding Saturday afternoon, but ended up in jail on marijuana and weapon charges, according to arrest reports.
Troopers alleged they could smell a marijuana odor in the Chevrolet Camaro while talking with the woman. The woman allegedly admitted someone had smoked marijuana inside the car on Jan. 4 and that there was a joint remained in the vehicle. Troopers alleged they found the joint along with a handgun in the vehicle. A probable cause search, the trooper alleged in arrest reports, resulted in location two bags of suspected marijuana were found, along with rolling paper in the trunk.
Consequently, the Dallas woman was arrested and taken to Hopkins County jail for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
The Dallas woman was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, Jan. 5; bond was set at $1,000 on the marijuana charge and $2,000 on the weapon charge, according to jail reports.
2 Sulphur Springs Men, 1 Rowlett Man Jailed On Warrants
Two Sulphur Springs men was jailed over the weekend after surrendering to sheriff’s officers, and a Rowlett man taken into custody by police on a warrant, according to arrest reports.
Troy Glen Fouse, 52, of Sulphur Springs turned himself in at 4:35 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, at the sheriff’s office on a warrant for a July 19, 2019 offense. He was escorted Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Bobby Osornio into the county jail, where he was held on the warrant from Austin Parole Board for violation of parole, according to arrest reports. He also has two outstanding traffic warrants for failure to maintain financial responsibility and expired registration, according to jail reports.
Fouse, according to arrest reports, has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1984 in Hopkins County. Sunday marked at least the fifth time Fouse has been arrested and held in the local jail for violation of parole; he served from Sept. 7 through Dec. 14, 2005; Feb. 27-April 9, 2014; Feb. 26-April 7, 2015; April 27-June 2, 2016; and Aug. 30-Oct. 12, 2017 in the county jail, according to jail reports.
A 31-year-old Sulphur Springs man also turned himself in at the sheriff’s office at 2:55 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, on two misdemeanor warrants, according to arrest reports.
Deputies escorted the man into the county jail, where he was booked on family violence assault causing bodily injury and interference with an emergency request for assistance warrants, according to arrest reports. The offenses were alleged in arrest reports to have occurred on Nov. 19, 2019.
The Sulphur Springs man was released from the county jail late Monday morning on $5,000 bond on the assault charge and $2,000 bond on the other charge, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs police officers responding to a complaint of suspicious activity complaint in the 1200 block of South Broadway Street located a Rowlett man at 1:14 a.m. Jan. 5. The 26-year-old man was identified and found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest for not taking care of a possession of delivery of drug paraphernalia charge, police alleged in arrest reports.
The Rowlett man was released from the county jail later Sunday on the charge, according to jail reports.
