NETLA Show February 23-25, 2023, by Mario Villarino
Feb. 14, 2023- Texas is unmatched in youth livestock project ownership and participation. Students engaging in this project gain invaluable life skills such as work ethic, responsibility and accountability. Supporters of these exceptional youth invest nearly $100 million annually in the futures of these young agriculturalists. What can become lost in a barn full of livestock, exhibitors, trophies, banners, buckles, premiums and scholarships, is that the barn is actually a classroom. The County Extension Agents and Agricultural Science Teachers leading youth through this experience are professional educators affiliated with a public or private school. The exhibitors qualify for excused absences as an extracurricular activity. Livestock show barns are the classrooms for livestock exhibitors. Because the barn is a classroom, the livestock community must take notice that we are constantly projecting an image to the public regarding the value of our classroom. We must proclaim the values we stand for and also condemn behaviors that are unwelcome and unhelpful in preserving these unique classroom settings.
Coming up at the end of the month is the Northeast Texas Livestock Association (NETLA) Show and Sale of Champions (Feb 23-25, 2023). For many families, the county Livestock show is the culmination of months or even years of preparation. During this event, the selected few will have a chance to offer their projects to the community supporters for sale, auction style, during the Sale of Champions (Feb 25, 2023 Regional Civic Center). For many this will be a learning experience, for others the begining or continuation of a long tradition of their families. Either way, making it to the sale or not, much will be learned over the next following weeks. As an agricultural educator, my goal is to promote and encourage opportunities for youth to develop in a positive way, and hard work does it. As I was visiting projects in the last few days, I have seen our NETLA exhibitors working under severe weather conditions trying to overcome current weather and land conditions to complete the projects. I have seen also their families providing the support needed of this to happen. To all NETLA exhibitors, I wish them luck, do not forget to sell the NETLA Raffle Tickets (funds collected help to fund the purchase of projects during the sale of champions under the BIDS for KIDS initiative and their sale is a requirement to show under NETLA) and get ready for the 2023 NETLA Livestock Show and Sale of Champions! See you there!.
Trees Not wanted in Your Yard
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
Advice on what NOT to plant in your yard!
- Silver maple. Fast growing shade tree, with weak wood prone to breaking in wind. Roots love sewage pipes. Well known for cracking driveways & sidewalks.
- Ash trees. Sturdy, tough, well-liked tree, and property value increaser.. Unfortunately, the Emerald ash borer is on track to eliminate the species.
- Quaking Aspen. Not much of a problem in our area, but give it an inch, and it’ll take a mile. Can be hideously invasive. Largest living organism is an aspen root system in Utah weighing 6,600 tons and thought to be 60-80,000 years old.
- Lombardy poplar. Fast growing & columnar shape. Susceptible to numerous diseases and insects. Roots are invasive and difficult to stop.
- Willow. Beautiful tree with serious water needs including sewage and irrigation lines. Wood is weak and tree has a short life, usually around 30 years. Tree has more than its share of disease & insect problems.
- Bradford Pear. A suburban favorite, but has very short life span, and limbs a subject to breaking off. Flowers look nice, but not odorous as opposed to aromatic!
- Mountain cedar. Unbelievable amount of pollen releaser can cause serious allergy problems. On a calm morning, I’ve seen a literal yellow circle of pollen around these trees in late spring and early summer.
- Mulberry. If growing silkworms, this is a great tree. Otherwise, pollen messy fruit and shade so dense grass won’t grow beneath it, make it much less desirable.
- Black walnut. Fruits are messy and hard on lawn mowers. Secretes toxins to prevent most anything growing beneath or immediately nearby.
- Leland Cypress. Great for privacy fence, but is a serious fire hazard. High maintenance required, and when taller, susceptible to falling over in high winds.
Hopkins County Deputies Recover Stolen Equipment
February 14, 2023 – $305,000.00 worth of stolen property has been recovered by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. This equipment was stolen out of Houston, TX. It was located on Hwy 19 North, in the area of Birthright, TX.
Law Enforcement contacted 33 year-old Sulphur Springs resident, Banuelos-Rios as his Birthright property. He gave consent for a search of his property. When the accused was confronted by Law Enforcement about the equipment on his property, he provided a bill of sale and stated he had just purchased the equipment. The bill of sale had been altered. A check of the equipment showed it all had been reported as stolen. Banuelos-Rios was unable to provide any other supporting documentation proving he was the true lawful owner. He was mirandized and taken to Hopkins County Jail.
JUAN ANTONIO BANUELOS-RIOS was arrested and charged with four counts of theft. He reports himself as ‘Self Employed”.
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.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Hits First-Round Roadblock in Bi-District Loss to Van
Coach Bryan Jones and his team faced intense pressure all day long in their Bi-District game, falling to Van 71-35 on Monday, Feb. 13.
Coach Bryan Jones and his team trailed marginally 11-8 heading into the second quarter, but things changed in a big way when the Lady Vandals started to heat up. From that three point deficit for the Lady Cats basketball team, Van went on to outscore Sulphur Springs 60-27 en route to a big opening-round win.
Many fouls were called against the Lady Cats in the first quarter, with the Lady Vandals being in the bonus early. That, and a stifling defense forced numerous turnovers as Sulphur Springs struggled to steal away momentum.
Van exploded for a combined 45 points in the middle two quarters.
One of their players scored almost as many points as Sulphur Springs, lighting up the scoreboards for 31 points. She shot 64% from behind the three-point line.
Winning is hard when anyone shoots with that type of proficiency. Even dealing with such an effective shooter, and a stifling defense, the Lady Cats played hard against a tough foe and never relented.
Two Seniors played their final game for Sulphur Springs. Kenzie Willis and Addisyn Wall, finished the game with nine and five points, respectively. Codee Roland scored five in the opening-round loss and another sophomore, Trinity Jefferson, got six, all in the second.
Rainey Johnson led the way in scoring, finishing with 10 points in the Bi-District loss.
It was a disappointing end to an otherwise fantastic season.
The Lady Cats finish their season with an 23-9 (6-4) record, having been seeded #4 of District 15-4A for the 2022-23 regular season. The Lady Cats went 4-1 over the second half of district play, winning four straight before falling on Senior Night then in the playoffs to Van in the opening round.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs, Texas, February 13, 2023 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.
New Primary Care Provider
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is excited to welcome Rebecca Couch, Nurse Practitioner, to our team of Primary Care providers. Rebecca Couch is now accepting new patients at 105 Medical Circle, (Medical Building 1). To schedule an appointment, please call 903.885.3181.
Heart Month: Cardiac Rehabilitation
In honor of heart month, show your heart some love. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital- Sulphur Springs has special programs to improving heart health, such as Cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to help people with heart problems improve their health and well-being. Cardiac rehabilitation teams may include physicians, nurses, dietitians, physical therapists or respiratory therapists to provide heart monitored activity/exercise and education on healthy living.
Who may qualify?
You may be a candidate if you have experienced any of the following:
- Recent heart attack
- Angioplasty and/or stent
- Heart bypass | Transplant | Valve surgery
- Stable angina | Chronic heart failure
What to expect?
- Physical Activity: Individualized exercise sessions 3 days/week, typically for 6-12 weeks
- Education: Learn about importance lifestyle behavior changes and about your heart condition
- Support: A multidisciplinary team to help guide you.
Benefits of Cardiac Rehab may include:
- Strengthening and conditioning of your heart and lungs
- Reduction in your risk of future heart problems
- Improvement in your overall health by reducing risk factors
- Return sooner to work and activities of daily living
- Improvement in your quality of life
- Increase in self-confidence and emotional support
CHRISTUS Cardiac rehabilitation can help you feel better and get back to doing what you enjoy.
For more information, and to see if you may qualify, talk to your doctor or call 903.439.4141
Wildcats Powerlifting Back in Action Next Saturday
Coach Brett Page and his squad had yet another solid outing.
In Mount Pleasant, Wildcats powerlifting placed second in their third-straight competition.
Logan Lawrence was the first athlete from Sulphur Springs to win his weight group (114), lifting 765 total pounds Saturday.
Cristobal Torres, the second and final Wildcat winning his weight class Saturday, squatted 345, benched 215 and dead lifted 355 in Mount Pleasant.
Abe Banuelos, also in 132 finished behind Torres in second. Isaac Riley came two spots later in fourth.
Max Williamson (123) came just short of winning his class, with a 1,020 pound total.
In 165, Trentin McKinney got fifth Saturday, squatting 350, benching 235 and dead lifting 395 in the third competition for the men’s powerlifting team.
Levi Barnes came in sixth in his weight group.
Two Sulphur Springs athletes in 198, Cameron Jefferson and Blaine Allen, got 10th and 12th, respectively.
Three Wildcats bottomed-out in the third competition of the spring season:
- Matt Mitchell
- Nate Andrews
- Sean Dial
Even so, the others made up the difference as Sulphur Springs still finished a point over third place Wills Point.
Coach Page and the men’s powerlifting team finished second overall.
The first two competitions, which saw the Wildcats finish second at both:
Sulphur Springs takes this week off prior to their final meet of the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 25.
That meet gets underway in Sabine that Saturday at 8:30 A.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Commissioners Court Approves Funds For Debris Removal
Feb. 13, 2023- Hopkins County Commissioners Court was in session today discussing how funds are to be divided between the four Hopkins County Precincts. Money from the road and bridge fund will be earmarked for disposal of excess limbs and debris caused by the winter ice storm that struck a few weeks ago.
Commissioners have also been given burn permits to allow them to dispose of limbs and debris that has been cluttering the roads as of late. Each precinct has been given an area to burn their items, residents of the community are also given the opportunity to bring their limbs and debris to the burning area. The burn areas will be open until further notice. Only residents of the precincts may bring their debris to the burn areas to be disposed of. Proof of residency within the precinct is required.
Precinct burn areas are only accepting tree limbs, no other items will be accepted during this period.
For more information on where the precinct burn area is, contact your precinct Commissioner.
Hearn Back in Jail on Weapons Charge
February 13, 2023 – Isaiah Dominique Hearn a.k.a ZEEK, age 33 of Sulphur Springs was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, drug possession related parole violation and a warrant for no driving licence.
Sulphur Springs police were in the process of executing a search warrant at the Fuller St apartment complex when Hearn came to the door. Police asked him if he was carrying a firearm, and Hearn replied that he was. Hearn complied with Sulphur Springs Police and was arrested and transported to Hopkins County Jail without incident.
This is not the first time Hearn has been in Hopkins County Jail.
In 2022, Hearn was arrested for assault causing bodily injury to a family member. His bond was set at $5,000.
In 2018, Hearn was arrested at a Helm St apartment for parole violations, meth and possession of several weapons by a convicted felon. His bond was set at $60,000. See that story here.
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.
Sulphur Springs Man Arrested on Dumping Warrant
February 13, 2023 – Justin Lynn Petrea, age 33 of Sulphur Springs, was arrested on an outstanding warrant. The felony warrant was issued for Illegal Dumping of 1000 pounds or more. Petrea was arrested without incident and transported to the Hopkins County Jail.
This is not the first time Petrea has been in Hopkins County Jail. In 2022, Petrea was arrested for several Driver License infractions and unpaid fines.
In April of 2018, Petrea was indicted by a Hopkins County Grand Jury for Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
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.
Removing A Tree Stump
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
Over 60 years ago, the biggest oak tree in our yard came down in a storm, leaving a stump around 40” in diameter. Mechanized tree stump removal was not available, so Dad went shopping and came home with a can of tree stump removal costing nearly $20, which was high- cost in the mid-1950s.
Today, professional, mechanized stump removal is quite common, but it isn’t cheap. A new stump removal product is available today for only a few dollars, and this new magic solvent is Epsom salts (ES)! Yes, besides helping your tomato plants grow tastier fruit, helping roses produce brighter blooms, killing weeds, and providing many other uses, ES will make a stump quickly rot, by drawing out moisture from the stump and roost, shortening the decaying time from several years to months.
SO, how does this work? OK, first you need to own, rent, or borrow a drill with a ½” bit. Then, you need to drill holes in the stump. You can start 3” in from the outer bark and work your 2way in, or start dead center and work your way out. Holes should be as deep as the drill bit is long, up to 8” deep.
Next, purchase enough ES (start with a quart) to fill the holes. Then, moisten the ES with water. That’s moisten, not flush, which will wash away some of the Epsom salts. Now, leave it alone to do its work. If rains are forecast, cover the stump with plastic, tarp, etc.
Reapplication may be required every few weeks. Length of time for the stump to “die” is dependent on the stump size. Place Epsom salts on any exposed roots to increase the dehydration effect. Oh, by the way, that $20 tree stump removal product in the 1950s? It largely contained ES!!!
