Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report — Nov. 1, 2022
Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell Tuesday evening, Nov. 1, 2022, presented to to the City Council in a Memorandum as well as aloud the following monthly manager’s report:
CLAIMS
We had 1 workers compensation that required surgery in October. A police officer injured his knee while in training. We did not have any liability claims.
SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER
I have signed the contract with TDHCA. We have sent the contract out to bid, and we will open bids on November 16. Expect to approve the bids at the December 6 regular city council meeting.
PACIFIC PARK
XLNT Construction has ordered the steel frame for the pavilion. The lead time is 4 months. I don’t expect to see any more activity at Pacific Park until February. At that time, XLNT will construct the building in about 90 days.
When the pavilion is complete, we will demolish the old basketball courts and grade the interior of the park. Then we will install irrigation and sod.
COLLEGE STREET
The contractor needs to construct several driveway approaches and other miscellaneous items. We decided to construct the intersection at College and Jackson ourselves. The intersection will have brick crosswalks, and it is just too complicated for this contractor. The contractor signed a deductive change order, and the Capital Construction Division will begin soon.
Further east, the Capital Construction Division has installed 771 feet of storm drain, 6 inlet boxes and 4 junction boxes to eliminate the flooding problem at Ramsey Street.
College Street work at Mitchell Street 
Sidewalk and road work on Patton at College Street. 
Sidewalk and road work on Patton at College Street. 
Sidewalk and road work on College Street at Patton 
Sidewalk and road work on College Street at Patton 
Road and sidewalk work on College Street facing Oak Avenue and Celebration Plaza. 
Work on Ramsey Street to address water issues on College Street 
Work on Ramsey Street to address water issues on College Street 
College Street roadwork just south of Ramsey 
Drain installed just off Jefferson Street to adress water issues on College Strreet, 
Work behind a Jefferson Street apartment complex to address water issues on College Street 
Work between College and Jefferson Street to address water issued on College Street.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present the year-end report of revenues and expenditures.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Texana Land and Asphalt will begin repaving the following streets next week: Como, Drexel, Fisher, and Bonner.
Bad news for the residents on Ardis Street. Atmos is about to replace a gas line on that street, so we have decided to delay Ardis Street until Atmos completes the gas line replacement project.
The various repairs to Commercial Services Drive will be performed in-house.
MISCELLANEOUS
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
• Conducted 41 building inspections, 18 electrical inspections, 19 plumbing inspections, 1 mechanical inspection and issued 20 building permits.
• Made 19 extensive street repairs following utility cuts.
• Repaired 25 potholes.
• Removed 3 fallen trees from city streets.
• Hauled street sweeper spoils to the landfill.
• Hosted the Senior Olympics.
• Sowed winter rye in on Celebration Plaza.
• Removed dead trees from city parks.
• Hosted 1 soccer tournament and 2 baseball tournaments.
• Prepared the Grays Building for 11 rentals.
• Performed repairs at Kids Kingdom.
• Responded to 222 calls for animal control while achieving a 61% adoption rate.
• Made 5 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
• Responded to 2,362 calls for police response.
• Responded to 46 accidents, issued 535 traffic citations, recorded 26 offenses and made 46 arrests in the Patrol Division.
• Responded to 239 fire/rescue calls including 3 structure fires,1 vehicle fire and 3 grass fires.
• Conducted 30 fire inspections.
• Performed preventative maintenance on 78 fire hydrants.
• Checked out 3,028 items from the library plus 679 eBooks.
• Installed lights on end caps of the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial walls.
• Upgraded the electrical service at fire station #1, making the solar panels operational.
• Installed 2 new lights at Buford Park.
• Performed preventative maintenance on various items at the water treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant.
• Treated effluent to a daily average total suspended solids reading of .20 mg/L.
• Hauled 256 tons of sludge to the landfill.
• Repaired 19 water main ruptures.
• Replaced 22 water meters.
• Unstopped 15 sewer mains.
• Flushed 40 dead-end water mains.
• Sold 2,996 gallons of AvGas and 13,560 gallons of JetA fuel.
• Accommodated 1,198 operation (takeoffs or landings) at the airport
FDA Warns: Don’t Purchase or Use Artri Or Ortiga Products Due To Possible Hidden Ingredients
FDA continues to warn consumers not to purchase or use Artri and Ortiga products as the agency received adverse event reports, including of liver toxicity and death, associated with the use of Artri King and similarly named products since the first consumer warning about an Artri Ajo King product was issued on January 5, 2022, and another in April, 20, 2022. These products are promoted with unproven claims to treat arthritis and osteoarthritis, restore cartilage, and stop joint deterioration, according to a FDA public notice.
FDA analysis revealed certain Artri and Ortiga products contain hidden drug ingredients, including corticosteroids. Undeclared drug ingredients found include:
- Dexamethasone (a corticosteroid) that can cause serious adverse events, including infections, increased blood glucose (sugar) levels, changes in blood pressure, damage to bones, psychiatric problems, and adrenal dysfunction;
- Diclofenac sodium (an anti-inflammatory drug) that can lead to adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, or serious gastrointestinal damage, including bleeding, ulceration, and fatal tears of the stomach and intestines, or liver toxicity including liver failure that can cause the need for a liver transplant or death
- Methocarbamol (a muscle relaxant) that can cause sedation, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
These drug ingredients, which are not listed on the product label, can also interact with other drugs a consumer is taking.
Suddenly stopping corticosteroids after long-term use or high doses can result in a serious withdrawal syndrome that includes fatigue, nausea, low blood pressure, low blood glucose levels, fever, dizziness, muscle and joint pain, and shortness of breath. Medical intervention may be necessary.
In support of public safety, and because some of these products may still be available on the market, FDA issued warning letters on October 28, 2022, to Amazon, Walmart, and Latin Foods Market for distributing various “Artri” and/or “Ortiga” unapproved and misbranded drug products. Walmart and Latin Foods Market already issued voluntary recalls for these products, the FDA notice states.
Customers with questions about these products should discuss appropriate treatment options with their health care providers.
FDA encourages health professionals and patients to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
Click here to download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
The FDA analyses reflect only the undeclared ingredients discovered in one product from a specific lot, but ingredients may vary from product to product or from lot to lot. Products marketed as dietary supplements that are found to have hidden drug ingredients generally fail to comply with most current good manufacturing practices designed to ensure product quality and safety. Therefore, consumers should expect the manufacturing processes for Artri and Ortiga products are unreliable in providing consistent amounts of active ingredients or to prevent the introduction of unknown chemicals or other impurities.
The FDA is investigating the distribution of these products in the United States and has advised certain companies not to sell or distribute these products. The agency may take additional enforcement steps that may include warning letters, seizure, injunction, or criminal charges.
Three Traffic Stops In Three Days Resulted In Warrant, Controlled Substance Arrests
Three traffic stops in three days by officers in Hopkins County resulted in warrant and controlled substance arrests, according to deputies and troopers’ reports.
FM 2285 Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Bobby Osornio and Justin Wilkerson reported finding 28-year-old Dallas woman and a 28-year-old Sulphur Springs man at 2:33 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, on the south boat ramp on FM 2285.
After speaking to both, Morgan Elaine Morgan was determined to be wanted on a Dallas County possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and the man to be wanted in Upshur County on a motion to revoke probation on misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge.
A Sulphur Springs Police officer arrived on scene to assist. Both Morgan and the man were placed into custody on the warrants.
Morgan, owner of the Mitsubishi SUV on the boat ramp, allegedly admitted there was marijuana in the vehicle. A search allegedly revealed a red and white zipper bag with several items of drug paraphernalia including a small glass jar with suspected marijuana in it, a glass pipe of the kind commonly used for smoking illegal substances and several hypodermic needles in the vehicle. Additional needles were found in a handbag, Osornio alleged in arrest reports.
Morgan was taken to jail on the Dallas County controlled substance warrant as well as a new possession of drug paraphernalia charge. The 28-year-old Sulphur Springs man was booked into jail on the misdemeanor Upshur County warrant, deputies reported.
SH 11 East Arrests
HCSO Deputies Thomas Patterson, Bobby Osornio and Justin Wilkerson reported stopping a Dodge van with a headlight that didn’t work at 8:07 p.m. Oct. 31, 2022, on State Highway 11 east in Martin Springs.
During the course of the traffic stop, the male in the blue van allegedly gave a false name, which deputies stated in arrest reports they believe was an attempt to elude arrest on parole warrant.
However, when identified as Michael Shane Waddle using Facebook, the 47-year-old Glenn Heights, Texas man admitted he’d given a false name to officers, HCSO deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Deputies took Waddle into custody at 8:21 p.m. and transported him to Hopkins County jail. The Glenn Heights man was booked in at 9:30 p.m. Halloween 2022 not only on the Austin parole warrant, but also on a new Class A misdemeanor failure to identity charge.
While on SH 11 east on that traffic stop, a 36-year-old Como woman arrived at the location in a Nissan Sentra. Aware the woman had a warrant for her arrest as well, the deputies placed Dianna Marie Levesque into custody at 8:21 pm. and transported the woman to Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center, the HCSO officers alleged in arrest reports.
Levesque was booked in at 9:41 p.m. Oct. 31, 2022 on the Tarrant County warrant for violation of probation on a possession of 4 gram or more but less than 200 grams charge, according to arrest reports.
I-30 East Arrest
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Rodriguez reported stopping a Hyundai Santa Fe with defective equipment and an obscured license plate around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, 2022, on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 112.
A records check showed Trayvon Lamor White Davionta to be wanted in Dallas County on a misdemeanor family violence assault causing bodily injury charge.
A bag containing a substance the highway patrol believed to be marijuana, two hydrocodone pills and three other unidentified pills was reportedly found near the traffic stop. The suspected marijuana weighed 12.8 grams, the DPS officer alleged in arrest reports.
The 26-year-old Texarkana, Arkansas man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 4 p.m. Oct. 30, 2022, on possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 substance and possession of a Class B misdemeanor amount of marijuana, according to arrest 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.
City National Bank Employees Donate To In My Closet
Sulphur Springs, Texas – Employees of The City National Bank donated $1,150 to the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation to go to In My Closet. CNB employees donated money for the privilege of wearing jeans on Thursdays during the month of October. The employees then voted to donate the funds to In My Closet.
In My Closet is an offering of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation. It allows women who have undergone breast cancer treatment to get the supplies they need locally, and at no cost. Wigs, caps, prosthetics, and other items are available for women to “shop.”
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that may accept charitable contributions under the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation has been serving the health care needs of Hopkins County for 25 years.
To donate to In My Closet or to make an appointment to visit the closet, call 903-438-4799.
Early Voting Continues Through Friday, With Extended Voting Tonight & Thursday
Early voting continues across Texas through Friday, with extended voting times tonight and Thursday in the 2022 Nov. 8 General Election. In Hopkins County, voters will be asked not only to vote on state but also district, county and school elections. Hopkins County’s 8th Judicial District and county candidates drew no challengers in November. Three county school districts are holding trustee elections and one school district is holding a bond election.
Early Voting Schedule
Any registered Texas voter may vote early by personal appearance (in person) at the early voting location in their county of registration.
In-person early voting in Hopkins County is being conducted in The Game Room inside of The ROC, 115 Putman St. in Sulphur Springs. Voting will continue through Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, with voting extended two of those days to better accommodate those working during regular business hours.
The early voting location will also be open:
- From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022;
- From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022;
- From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022; and
- From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.
Mail Ballots
The deadline for the voting official to receive ballots mailed within the United States from non-military and military voters who submitted an Application for Ballot by Mail (“ABBM”) is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov 9, 2022, if the carrier envelope has a postmark showing it was in the mail by 7 p.m. Nov 8, 2022.
Please note that different deadlines apply to the last day to receive ballots depending on how they are sent :
- (1) Ballots from non-military and military voters who mailed ballots domestically and submitted an ABBM must be received by the early voting clerk by 5 p.m. Nov 9, 2022, and must bear a postmark indicating the ballot was mailed by 7 p.m. Nov 8, 2022.
- (2) Ballots from non-military and military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and who submitted an ABBM must be received by the early voting clerk by Nov 14, 2022 and must bear a postmark indicating the ballot was mailed by 7 p.m. Nov 8, 2022.
- (3) Ballots from non-military voters who mailed ballots from overseas and who submitted a Federal Post card Application (“FPCA”) must be received by the early voting clerk by Nov 14, 2022, and must bear a postmark indicating the ballot was mailed by 7 p.m. Nov 8, 2022.
- (4) Ballots from military voters who mailed ballots domestically or from overseas and who submitted a FPCA must be received by the early voting clerk by Nov 14, 2022. (Ballots in this category do not need to have any postmark.)
Texas voters who are eligible to vote by mail must provide: (1) a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)-issued Texas Driver License, Personal ID or Election ID Certificate number; OR (2) the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number on both their Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) and mail ballot carrier envelope. As long as one of the ID numbers provided matches what is on the voter’s registration record, the voter’s ABBM and ballot can be accepted.
Early Voter Turnout (so far)
The first week of early voting concluded with a total of 4,350 (17.59%) of Hopkins County’s 24,724 registered voters casting ballots in the Nov. 8 General Election, and that number had increased to 4,698 in person votes as of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.
As expected, voter turnout in the 2022 General Election has been down from 2020, when a total of a 39.9% of the 23,954 registered voters in Hopkins County had cast ballots at the conclusion of the first full week of early voting. At the conclusion of early voting in 2020, a total of 12,965 county residents had cast ballots, and 15,932 Election Day, giving Hopkins County an 81.38% overall voter turnout in 2020, a presidential election year, according to Texas Secretary of State’s Office.
Early voting by personal appearance began last Monday, Oct. 24, with 887 county voters (3.59%) casting ballots, 194 by mail and 693 in person at the early voting center, located inside First Baptist Church’s Recreational Outreach Center (The ROC) on Putman St. In 2020, a total of 862 people voted in person and election officials had received 841 mail ballots at the conclusion of first day of early voting on Oct. 19.
By Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, a total of 3,824 had voted in Hopkins County, representing 15.47% of registered voters, including 3,550 casting ballots in person (626 on Friday) and the rest by mail. In the 2020 General Election, 7,786 county residents had voted in person and 987 by mail, giving the county a 36.52% early voting turnout.
Taking advantage of the weekend voting, another 361 people cast ballots Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, and 145 voted Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, in person, and 20 additional mail ballots came in over the weekend, increasing the in-person voting to 17.59%, with 4,056 casting ballots in person and 294 mail ballots received at the conclusion of the first week of early voting. A total of 8,543 voters cast ballots in person and 1,015 by mail at the conclusion of the first week of voting in the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election, giving Hopkins County a 39.9% voting turnout as of Oct. 25, 2020.
Another 570 county residents cast ballots in person and 15 additional mail ballots came in on Monday, Oct. 31, 2022; at increased the total number of county resident who’d cast ballots as of 5 p.m. Monday to 4,935 (19.96%), with 4,626 voting in person (18.71 %) and 309 by mail. In 2020, with five days left in early voting, a total of 10,104 of the county’s 23,954 registered voters (42.18%) had cast ballots in the November General Election, 9,089 in person (37.93%) and 1,018 by mail.
At 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, a total of 4,698 voters had cast ballots in person in the General Election, according to the “Notice of Total Number of Voters Who Have Voted,” posted by presiding voting judge Barbara Grubbs at 9:30 a.m. outside the door at The ROC. And that number continued to climb as a steady stream of voters could be seen entering and exiting the polling location Tuesday morning.
If Hopkins County voters are to match the 2020 pace, county residents will need to pick up the pace. A total of 53.31% of registered votes (11,529) cast ballots in person and 1,141 mailed their ballots during the early voting period, according to SOS data.
Election Day Voting
Voting On Election Day Will Be Conducted From 7 A.M. To 7 P.M. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, At The Following Designated Voting Centers:
- Precinct 1 — Lutheran Church, 1000 Texas Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas (Front Foyer);
- Pct. 2A — H.W. Grays Building, 413 Beckham Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas (Meeting Room);
- Pct. 3 — Hopkins County Courthouse, 118 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas (1st Floor Courtroom);
- Pct. 3A— Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Campus, 1137 TX-301 Loop, Room 101a, Sulphur Springs, Texas
- Pct. 4 — Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas (West Hall)
- Pct. 4A — League Street Church Of Christ, 1100 South League St., Sulphur Springs, Texas (Front Foyer)
- Pct. 5 — Saltillo ISD, 150 CR 3534, Saltillo, Texas75478 (Ag Lab)
- Pct. 11 — Cumby Municipal Building, 100 East Main Street, Cumby, Texas 7543, (City Meeting Room)
- Pct. 12 — Sulphur Bluff ISD, 1027 CR 3550, Sulphur Bluff, Texas 75481 (Foyer Outside Gym)
- Pct. 13 — Como-Pickton CISD 13017 TX Hwy 11 East, Como, Texas 75431 (Art Room)
- Pct. 16 — Miller Grove ISD, 7819 FM 275 South, Cumby, Texas75433 (Foyer Outside Gym)
- Pct. 17 — North Hopkins ISD, 1994 FM 71 Wests, Sulphur Springs, Texas (Admin. Building)
Additional Information
Hopkins County voters can find additional voter information about the General Election by clicking here; or by selecting the “voter information” menu option on the main page of the Hopkins County website, https://www.hopkinscountytx.org/page/hopkins.Voterinfo.
For additional information about the various elections on Nov. 8 ballots in Hopkins County, including sample ballots, click here.
Join the Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel November 8th for an Informative Meeting on Internet Safety
Keeping everyone safe is a top priority of the Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel. Join us on Tuesday, November 8 for an informative presentation from Brandon Shurtleff of Sulphur Springs ISD regarding internet safety for seniors.
Information covered will include:
- Understanding the dangers
- Essential Do’s and Don’ts
- Helpful tools
In addition to useful information, there will also be some fun and refreshments. Don’t miss out.
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
10:00 am
The ROC
North Little Rock Woman Accused Of Unlawful Use Of Criminal Instrument
A 22-year-old North Little Rock, Arkansas woman was accused of unlawful use of a criminal instrument over the weekend.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Josh Davis and Justin Wilkerson reported stopping a Chrysler 300 that was being driven in the left lane lane of Interstate 30 west and not passing. The car stopped at 2:59 a.m. Oct. 28, 2022, near mile marker 110.
Upon contact with the driver, deputies detected a marijuana odor and noticed marijuana residue in the center console area of the car, Davis alleged in arrest reports. A search allegedly revealed several items of what appeared to be stolen merchandise, items with security tags still attached to them, several retail store shopping bags and a security tag removal device. The deputies took Kimira Lashae Wallace into custody at 3:54 a.m. Friday, and released the car to the passenger, deputies noted in arrest reports.
Wallace was booked into the county jail at 4:53 a.m. Oct. 28, 2022, on the felony offense of unlawful use of a criminal instrument, the tag removal device, according to arrest 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.
SSHS Wildcat Band Headed To State UIL Marching Contest
The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Band is headed to the State UIL Marching Contest.
After a fantastic send-off from parents and fans, the SSHS Wildcat Band not only advanced from the preliminary round of competition at 5 p.m. to the UIL Area Finals at 9:45 p.m. Saturday, but earned second place Oct. 29, 2022, at Lindale High School Stadium. That ranking is high enough to advance the SSHS Wildcat Band to the UIL State Marching Competition.
The Wildcat Band has had quite a busy and productive 2022 marching contest season, which they refer to as “Bandtober.”
The students performed well and got some outstanding comments from the judging panel and placed above several state-level bands in Princeton on Oct. 1, Head Band Director Spencer Emmert reported. The band followed that up on Saturday, Oct. 8, with a spot in the finals and placed fourth overall behind several state-level groups, in Royse City.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 11, the Wildcat Band competed in the UIL Region Marching Contest in Mount Pleasant, where they received straight first divisions from all judges and qualified for advancement to the Area UIL contest in Lindale on Oct. 29.
Before Area, however, the band squeezed in the Battle for the Spear Marching Contest on Oct. 15 at Winnsboro High school. The Wildcats received all first divisions and was awarded “Most Outstanding Woodwinds,” “Most Outstanding Brass,” and “Best in Class 4A.” They placed third overall in the finals with two judges ranking the group’s finals performance first and second, respectively.
On Oct. 29, the Wildcat Band’s second place ranking make them one of a handful of bands advancing from Area to the State UIL Marching Contest Nov. 9, 2022. The band students work after each performance to improve, giving the home crowd who is not able to travel with them to concerts a chance to see how much they’ve polished their skills at home football games on Friday night.
The Wildcat Band is slated to take the field at the Alamodome in San Antonio during the preliminary performance round a 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022.
The band plans to leave on Nov. 8 for San Antonio, in order to be rested and ready to go for their morning performance the next day. Those parents, families and fans planning to travel with the band on Tuesday, Nov. 8, are reminded that is Election Day. School band personnel encourage those planning to vote to take advantage of early voting times offered this week, to ensure they do not miss their opportunity to have their voices heard in the Nov. 8 Elections. For SSISD residents, the ballot will include an $81.5 million bond proposal. (Early voting will be at The ROC from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Nov. 1 and 3; and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2 and 4.
Band staff offer thanks to Mesa Energy for providing shirts for the band students and staff. T-shirts are also available for those who wish to show support for the SSHS band students as they head off to the State UIL Marching Contest to perform the half-time show, “Come Fly With Us,” which they are constantly working to improve. However, those planning to purchase one, must act quickly as the turnaround time until state is quickly approaching. The deadline to order a $10 t-shirt with “Come Fly with Us To The State Marching Contest 2022” is Wednesday, Nov. 2. Simply fill out the form by clicking this link. Payment can be sent to the High School Band office. Checks should be made payable to SSHS Band Boosters.
Welding Projects at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Welding Shop
Paris Junior College welding Instructor John Plemons, left, discusses pipe welding projects with Marcus Siddens of Hagansport, center, and Ethan Ford of Lone Oak. For information about the welding program, call the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center at 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Proper Nutrition And Supplementation Are Two Keys To Keeping Cows In Good Shape
Submitted By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Getting or keeping cows in proper body condition throughout the winter can optimize pregnancy rates the following season. Cows with proper body condition scores at calving are more likely to breed back and produce healthy calves in the future. Proper nutrition and supplementation are two keys to keeping cows in good shape.
Two and three year-old cows should have a body condition score of 6 or better at calving. Cows 4-years-old and older should be in a body condition score of 5 or greater at calving. Cows with a body condition score of 5 should display abundant muscle tissue. Ribs are noticeable but overall fat cover is lacking. Hooks and pins are less obvious and hips and backbone are slightly rounded versus a sharp appearance. A body condition score of 6 represents cows that are ideal at calving. Ribs are covered completely with fat and beginning to cover the rump, and muscle tissue is at its greatest.
Hay should be tested for nutritional quality, which will give producers the necessary information to help determine supplementation requirements. Any supplementation plan should be based on three primary criteria – the nutrient requirements of the animal, the quality of available hay or roughage, and the current condition of the cows.
Winter supplementation will depend greatly on what stage of production the cow is in. Lactating cows require different amounts of supplementation than dry cows, those pregnant but not nursing a calf. When evaluating pasture or hay, consider the nutrient requirements of the cow, For example, to maintain its body condition, a lactating cow would require hay that is about 11.5% protein and 62-63% total digestible nutrients, or TDN. A dry cow in late gestation would need about 8% protein and 55% TDN.
Producers should select supplements based on the cost per unit of nutrient needed. Cubes are a common supplement used by many producers. If both energy and protein supplementation are needed, a 20% cube would likely be most cost effective. However, if only a protein supplement is needed, then a 40% cube is more cost effective.
Producers should start slow and build up with supplements, such as concentrates and grains, because cows are designed to consume grasses. It’s also important to feed them supplements consistently each day to avoid digestive problems such as acidosis, which can lead to founder, foot abscesses, damage to the rumen lining damage, or death. Start feeding no more than 2 pounds of supplement per cow per day and slowly building up from there.
Producers should watch manure patties to monitor cows’ protein intake. If patties look like they are stacking up and are firm, that tells us we need more protein supplement. A 40% cube is a good concentrated supplement source of protein. Generally speaking, if cows are in good condition then 1-1.5 pounds of a 40% cube or something similar is a good place to start for dry cows; 2-3 pounds per day would likely be needed for wet cows. If cows also need energy, then something like a 20% cube could be a good option. With average quality hay, a common feeding rate for dry cows would be about 2-3 pounds per day per cow or 4-6 pounds for wet cows.
Feeding amounts really depend on hay quality and other factors, so for more information it is recommend visiting with a beef cattle nutritionist or an AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist.
