Consider a Red Yucca for your Flower Bed
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
One often overlooked plant that works well in flower beds/gardens is a red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora), also known as pink yucca, red-flowered yucca, soft-tip yucca or samadoque, coral yucca, hummingbird yucca, and false yucca. Regardless of the common name, red yucca is an herbaceous, shrubby, evergreen perennial succulent, which has 5-plus years if kept in good condition.
Red yuccas thrive in well drained alkaline or acidic soils, and are regarded as one tough plant. It can take light shade, but does better in full sun, even with reflected heat. Though often seen as a desert plant, it can thrive in your yard and can survive cold in the ground down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit. If grown in a container, however, it should be moved inside to a sunlit area during winter.
With its 4-5 inch pink (rarely red or yellow) flowers, red yuccas are attractive to pollinators, as they flower several times during the growing season. Deadheading spent flowers improves plant appearance, and encourages more flowers rather that spending most of its energy in plant growth.
Basically, the red yucca is fool proof for your location as long as you have well drained soil and don’t over water. New plants should be watered once to twice a week at first. After the first year, water only when there is little to no rain. After that, established plants should do very well on just rain water.
As such, it’s a great plant for rock gardens and xeric landscapes. Unlike other yuccas, the leaves do not have sharp points, making it non-hazardous to children in the area and klutzes like me who bump into it!
As an aside, for those who desire different flower colors, there are dwarf forms and some hybrids that have red or yellow flowers.
Meal A Day Menu – Aug. 1-5, 2022
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for the week of Aug. 1-5, 2022 includes:
- Monday – Ham and Potato Casserole, Corn and Normandy Vegetables.
- Tuesday – Chicken Spaghetti, Italian Vegetables and Garlic Sticks.
- Wednesday – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll.
- Thursday – Chicken Noodle Soup, Crackers and Tossed Salad.
- Friday – Rotisserie Lemon Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes and Broccoli.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Warrant Service Reveals Fake Money And Meth
Deputies went to a Nicholson Street address to serve a warrant and ended up finding not only the wanted man but also fake money and meth.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Scott Davis and Deputy Josh Davis received information that Alexander Guzman-Thomas could be found at a Nicholson Street residence Friday evening. After confirming the warrant for the 41-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s arrest, the sheriff’s office approached the residence at 6:37 p.m. July 29, 2022. They received the homeowner’s permission to enter the property to look for the wanted man.
Deputies reported broken pipes of the type used for smoking methamphetamine and syringe caps hanging in a clear bag, and Latex gloves on a hanger in plain view in the back yard. They also noted a radio playing near a door on which the padlock was not engaged.
The deputies knocked and the person inside identified himself. They reported seeing a cut straw with suspected meth residue on a bed. Guzman-Thomas claimed there were no narcotics in the bedroom and agreed to let the deputies in to check. In a cigarette package on the bed, near the man’s wallet, deputies reported finding a small bag of suspected meth.
They transported Guzman-Thomas to jail and released him to jail staff. The suspected meth weighed 0.22 gram, including packaging and tested positive on a test kit. Jail staff notified the deputies after finding counterfeit currency in Guzman-Thomas’ possession. They took possession of the item, which Sgt. Davis said was obviously counterfeit US currency.
In addition to the violation of probation warrant, which he was on for a possession of 1-4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, Guzman-Thomas was also charged with unlawful use of a criminal instrument and a Jan. 3, 2019 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. He remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, July 30, 2022. Bond was set at $30,000 on the warrant, and $5,000 each on the new controlled substance and criminal instrument charges, according to jail 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.
Suddenlink Officially Becomes Optimum Aug. 1 — What The Business Reports That Will Mean For Customers
Customers of Suddenlink cable, internet or phone service over the past few years have seen some changes in service, including the Altice name. Suddenlink has announced that the company officially becomes Optimum Aug. 1, 2022.
For the near future, what that means for customers is that the name and place to log in are changing. Account numbers will remain the same and most customers will remain the same and customers should be able to sign in using their current username, now called an Optimum ID, and password used for Suddenlink. Customers should be careful when clicking through though because they will need to remember the assigned access code or change it and save it for future use, and added security measure Optimum has for logging into accounts, according to Suddenlink’s post about the conversion. (Customers who receive mail billing may also receive letters about the conversion.)
In rare instances a password can’t be transitioned to Optimum, customers who sign into suddenlink.net will be asked to update their username and password. Be sure to attempt this by Aug. 1 to test it; otherwise they won’t be able to sign into their account on Aug. 1. Those who need an Optimum ID or who can’t remember theirs should visit optimum/net/help.
Starting Aug. 1, the company plans to retire the suddenlink.net website. Customers should from that date forward sign into their account at optimum.net. The Suddenlink Support App won’t work Aug. 1 and after either. However, customers can download Optimum Support app at optimum.net/supportapp.
Suddenlink statements can be viewed an downloaded for up to 12 months at optimum.net/mybill, when the customer signs in with an Optimum ID and password.
Internet customers will still receive service at the same speed, but starting Aug. 1 will no longer be charged for any data overages. The way the service is listed on internet utility bills will look a little different too, the company reports. for example, instead of Suddenlink 100, the plan will now be listed as 100 Mbps Internet.
The company is expanding its network, building Optimum Fiber in various locations through Texas as part of a multi-year program. Those living in “initial neighborhoods” are expected to have the option of choosing the 100% fiber internet network capable of delivering speeds up to 10 Gig starting in late 2022. To find out when Optimum Fiber will be available in your neighborhood, click suddenlink.com/get-fiber to receive notification of availability.
For WiFi network on the go, select optimum (formerly AlticeWiFi) from the list of available networks.
Suddenlink Cable TV customers will receive the same service as well, but the names for the different packages and equipment will change a bit after Aug. 1. For instance, Suddenlink Value/SL200/Standard Cable will become Value TV. The TV packages will have one name from the original followed by TV.
Those on an Altice One plan will continue to receive the same features, they’ll just become known as Optimum TV and the Altice OnApp will become the Optimum TV app. First time uses should follow the sign in instructions then choose Optimum TV as provider.
Home phone service will not change, just where customers login to check voicemail and manage calling features. From Aug. 1 on, sign in at optimum.net/phone.
Optimum Mobile customers will continue with no changes to service or how accounts are managed.
If any have home security systems, that will become Optimum Security and the Suddenlink Security App will become Optimum Security app.
Suddenlink Stream service will be unchanged but will become Optimum Stream.
Suddenlink email addresses won’t change on Aug. 1. Just go to myemail.suddenlink.net to read emails
As for billing, that monthly bill and due dates will remain the same. The names on them will simply change from Suddenlink or Altice to Optimum, and statements are expected to be blue instead of black. Auto Pay and Paperless Billing settings shouldn’t change unless the customer requests it.
For additional information or help, go online to https://www.optimum.net/support/contact-us and select the appropriate option.
2 Opioid Settlement Agreements Announced This Week
A bipartisan group of attorneys general announced agreements in principle have been reached to address the opioid crisis, one with former opioid maker Allergan and another with opioid maker Teva. Once finalized, the combined Allergan and Teva settlements would provide as much as $6.6 billion nationwide. Both settlements remain contingent on resolution of key issues regarding the settlement structure. The parties are also negotiating terms requiring reformed business practices and increased transparency, the news release from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxon stated.
One agreement calls for Allergan to pay up to to $2.37 billion and for Teva to provide up to $4.25 billion to participating states and local governments. Hopkins County was among many who in years past collaborated to file lawsuits against opioid-producing companies. Hopkins County has, in the past, been designated to benefit from opioid settlements awarded to Texas. Funds awarded to state and local governments are to be used to address the opioid crisis, including prevention and treatment resources.
Teva
According to the 4 p.m. news release, critical details of the settlement are ongoing, Teva disclosed the key financial terms in its earnings announcement. Texas previously entered into a deal with Teva that included a provision that allows the state to benefit if those terms are more favorable.
“This settlement is a major win, and a step closer to helping people overcome opioid addiction,” Attorney General Paxton said. “Pharmaceutical companies like Teva must be held accountable for their role in this devastating epidemic. We expect this settlement to make a crucial difference in preventing fatal overdoses and treating opioid addiction disorder.”
Teva, an Israel-based drug manufacturer, makes Actiq and Fentora, which are branded as fentanyl products for cancer pain, and several generic opioids like oxycodone.
The states alleged that Teva promoted potent, rapid-onset fentanyl products for use by non-cancer patients, deceptively marketed opioids by overstating their benefits and downplaying the risk of addiction and failed to comply with suspicious order monitoring requirements.
The parties have agreed to the following financial terms, the release states:
- Teva will pay a maximum of $4.25 billion in cash over 13 years. This figure includes amounts Teva has already agreed to pay under settlements with individual States, funds for participating States and subdivisions, and the $240 million of cash in lieu of product described below;
- As part of the financial terms, Teva will provide up to $1.2 billion in generic naloxone over a 10-year period or $240 million of cash in lieu of product, as each State may elect. Naloxone is used to counteract overdoses; and
- The settlement will build on the existing framework that states and subdivisions have created through other recent opioid settlements.
A final settlement remains contingent on reaching agreement to change certain business practices and to meet transparency requirements going forward.
Allergan
Ireland-based Allergan formerly made Norco, Kadian-branded, and generic opioids. The company sold its generics portfolio to Teva in 2016. Earlier this week, Teva and the coalition of attorneys general announced an agreement in principle to a settlement valued at $4.25 billion.
The coalition of states alleged that Allergan:
- Deceptively marketed opioids by overstating their benefits and downplaying the risk of addiction, and by encouraging doctors to prescribe more opioids to treat patients showing signs of addiction; and
- Failed to maintain effective controls to prevent diversion of opioids.
“I am proud to announce a major win for Texas with our settlement with Allergan,” Paxton said. “I will continue to hold opioid manufacturers responsible for deceiving patients and the medical community, while ensuring that victims of this tragic epidemic receive the assistance they need.”
The $2.37 billion figure includes money that Allergan has already agreed to pay under settlements with individual States.
The negotiations are being led by Texas, California, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. While New York was among the 13 States integral to negotiating this settlement, New York settled separately with Allergan in December 2021.
5 Booked Into County Jail On Violation Of Probation Warrants And 1 On A Parole Warrant
At leave five people were booked into Hopkins County jail July 25-28, 2022, on violation of probation warrants and a Longview man on a parole warrant, according to jail and arrest reports.
Violation Of Probation – Simulated Controlled Substance Charge
Evan Clay Chapin was booked into Hopkins County jail Wednesday, July 27, 2022, on a warrant for violation of probation which he was on for an unlawful delivery or manufacture with intent to present as a simulated controlled substance, according to jail reports.
The 30-year-old Commerce man was first arrested on the controlled substance charge on Aug. 31, 2020, after his attempt and that of another Commerce resident to sell pills for some quick cash ended up with the pair inadvertently contacting Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum. Tatum alerted his deputies about the men offering to sell hydrocodone pills for $5 each. Sheriff’s officers arranged to meet up with Chapin on State Highway 11 west at FM 275. When they spotted the described vehicle, the HCSO officers initiated a felony takedown. They found what appeared to be a bundle of not hydrocodone but over-the-counter ibuprofen pills. He allegedly admitted to trying to pass off the nonprescription pills as false narcotic, resulting in his arrest as well as that of the other man with him. Chapin was released later that day on a $5,000 bond on the controlled substance charge.
McCarty was returned to Hopkins County jail a second time on Jan. 13, 2022, for bond forfeiture on that charge, as well as two expired registration and one failure to maintain financial responsibility warrants. He was released Jan. 31, 2022, from jail on the new $10,000 bond set on the charge, according to jail reports.
The 30-year-old Commerce man remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, July 29, 2022, on the probation warrant. His new bond on the charge was set at $50,000, according to jail reports.
Probation Violation – DWI
A 29-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed July 27, 2022, on a Leon County warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for a second offense driving while intoxicated charge, according to jail records. He remained in Hopkins County jail until Friday, July 29, 2022, on the misdemeanor charge. His bond was set at $3,000, according to jail and sheriff’s office reports.
Probation Violation – Controlled Substance
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro reported stopping the driver of a Jeep Liberty 11:57 a.m. June 25, 2022, for committing a traffic violation on Helm Lane. A records check showed Dajia Sammyia Dellas Goodlow to be wanted in Titus County on a warrant for violation of probation, which she is reported to be on for violating probation on a possession of 1-4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
The 25-year-old Sulphur Springs woman, who is also known by Dajia Samya Williams, taken into custody on the warrant and jailed. She was released July 26, 2022, from Hopkins County jail. Her bond was set at $20,000 on the Titus County Charge, according to jail reports.
Probation Violation – Controlled Substance
Robert Charles Mathews was jailed July 27, 2022, on a violation of probation warrant. He was held in Hopkins County jail Friday, July 29, 2022.
Wednesday was the second time Mathews has been jailed for violating probation, which he was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. He was also jailed March 6-May 28, 20219 for violation probation, according to jail records. Mathews was first arrested on May 15, 2017 on the controlled substance charge, as well as drug paraphernalia and tampering with evidence charge, according to jail records. The 38-year-old Winnsboro man was released from the county jail later May 15, 2017 on a $10,000 bond on the tampering charge and a $5,000 bond on the paraphernalia charge, according to jai reports.
Probation Violation – Controlled Substance
(HCSO jail photo)
Margaret Leah Rodenbough was booked into Hopkins County jail July 27, 2022, on a warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. She was held in Hopkins County jail Friday, July 29, 2022, on the charge.
The 36-year-old Kaufman woman was originally arrested on April 21, 2016, on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge; she was released on April 23, 2016, on a $5,000 bond on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Parole Violation
David Glenn Self was booked into Hopkins County jail on July 27, 2022, on a warrant for violation of parole. He was held on in the county jail Friday, July 29, 2022, on the warrant, according to jail reports.
Wednesday was the second time the 41-year-old Longview man has been booked into Hopkins County jail for violating parole. Self also spent May 30, 2019 to July 27, 2020 in Hopkins County jail on an Austin parole warrant, as well as two controlled substance charges, according to jail records.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Quinlan Woman, Commerce Man Jailed On Possession Charges
A Quinlan woman and a Commerce were jailed on possession charges overnight Thursday, according to arrest reports.
FM 499/FM 275 Traffic Stop
(HCSO jail photo)
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tanner Steward reported stopping the driver of a Ford F150 pickup who failed to stop at the designated stopping point at the intersection of FM 499 and FM 275 at 9:08 p.m. July 28, 2022. While talking to Steward, the 62-year-old Commerce man driving allegedly admitted to consuming alcohol. Steward had Thomas Christopher McCarty step out of the truck for further investigation, the deputy noted in arrest reports..
When asked if he had anything illegal in the pickup, McCarty allegedly claimed no, but did admit to having an open container in the truck. As he approached the passenger side of the car, Steward reported seeing an open can of beer in the floorboard. He advised that gave him probable cause to search the truck. McCarty then admitted to having meth inside the vehicle, Steward alleged in arrest reports.
Steward reported finding a small amount of drug paraphernalia and a clear glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine. Steward then advised McCarty of his rights as HCSO Deputy Isaac Foley and Cumby Police Officer Justin Talley arrived to offer assistance. Further searching revealed a bag containing a crystal-like substance Steward in arrest reports stated he believed to be methamphetamine. McCarty was taken into custody and transported to jail.
The crystal-like substance field-tested positive for meth and weighed 0.935 grams, resulting in McCarty being booked into Hopkins County jail at 12:09 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2022, on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
The 62-year-old Commerce man was released from Hopkins County jail later Friday, July 29, 2022, on a $5,000 bond on the felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
SH 19 south/CR 1165 Traffic Stop
A HCSO deputy also reported stopping the driver of a Ford Focus at 12:33 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2022, on State Highway 19 south at County Road 1165 because the license plate could not be read at a distance of 50 feet,
While talking to her, he noted the driver failed to maintain eye contact with him and was also deceptive about her criminal history. She did, however, give the deputy permission to search her vehicle, the deputy alleged in arrest reports. He reported finding in a clear container a crystal-like substance he believed was methamphetamine. When field-tested it did come back positive for meth, according to arrest reports.
The 47-year-old Quinlan woman was taken into custody at 1:02 a.m. July 29, 2022, on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge; the vehicle was impounded. She was jailed at 2:12 a.m. Friday, then released from Hopkins County jail later in the day on the Class C misdemeanor charge, according to jail records.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
Meet the Teacher at Little Lambs Parent’s Day Out
The Little Lambs Parent’s Day Out program at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Sulphur Springs is hosting a Meet The Teacher Event Friday July 29th, 2022. The events runs from 4:30 to 6:30.
You can leave your little lamb, ages birth to 5 years of age, with Sara and her staff on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
There is a waiting list for some age ranges, but openings are available. The 2022/2023 program starts officially on August 1st. As long as there are openings, little lambs can join anytime during the year.
Little Lambs director Mrs Sara encourages people to attend the Meet the Teacher event today. “Anyone interested should get on the waiting list.” says Sara, “If there is enough need, additional days and times may be opened.”
The program is available for the entire year, and is paid for on a monthly bases.
Membership in the Lutheran Church is not required for participation in this program.
SSHS Wildcat Band Preparing To Soar Into 2022-2023 Marching Season
The student athletes, athletic and administrative staff aren’t the ones hard at work on campus. The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Band members and staff are hitting the practice field in the late July heat, hard at work on music that will allow the musicians to soar into the 2022-2023 season.
Percussionists began attending camp on July 18, with color guard camp following on July 19. Wildcat Band leadership began reporting on July 25. The entire band then reported for summer band camp on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. Friday morning, July 29, instructors and drum majors were out working with small groups on stepping and pacing, sans instruments; the temperature had already risen to about 90 with humidity pushing the heat index even higher, in spite of the much welcome balmy breeze blowing across the practice field.
According to SSISD Director of Bands Spencer Emmert, this year’s half-time show and competition show is designed to combine the fun a DreamWorks production coupled with traditional smooth jazz and classical pieces in a way that leaves the audience feeling as if they are soaring along with the band.
The program is designed both to entertain the audience and promote the quality of performance that will garner high marks at band competitions this fall. The pieces will include John Powell’s flight music from “How To Train Your Dragon,” as well as the version of “Fly Me To the Moon” made popular by Frank Sinatra, as well as operettic pieces by Gioachino Rossini and others.
The fantastical program is designed in a way to allow a few exceptional students, including a drum major and oboist, to showcase their abilities by performing solos within the program. And, expect a surprise prop or two to appear before the program concludes. Overall, if the band steps it up they will soar to new heights of performance which leaves the audience feeling with a flighty feel as if they too are soaring through the night sky.
PJC Third Baseman Drafted by New York Yankees
Beau Brewer of McKinney, Texas, who has finished up a stellar sophomore year at Paris Junior College, was drafted in the 19th round by the New York Yankees. “I give a big shout-out to Paris Junior College. I owe my career and my life to ya’ll,” said Brewer. “It’s been a blessing to have this opportunity to play professional baseball. Coming out of high school I didn’t have much. Coach [Clay] Cox gave me the opportunity to play baseball for PJC; now I’m here playing for the Bananas and now I’m about to start my professional baseball career. You never know what life is going to hold for you – just keep on grinding.”
This year his post-season honors included NJCAA Region XIV East All Conference First Team Third Base and All-Region XIV First Team Infield, as well as the PJC Barney Bray Cup for Baseball MVP, Bobby Walters Cup for 4.0 GPA (5-way tie), and McLemore Cup for All Sport MVP. He was named 2021 All Region Outfielder. He was also named JBB All-American Honorable Mention for NJCAA Division I baseball (JBB is a nationally renowned community and junior college baseball media outlet).
“We are extremely excited for Beau and the opportunities that lie ahead for him in professional baseball,” said PJC Baseball Coach Clay Cox. “He’s earned every bit of this. He came in two years ago, bought in, put in the work and now he is being rewarded for that. He has a tireless work ethic and is one of the most selfless teammates and best leaders I’ve been around on a ball field. We can’t wait to see him in pinstripes.”
A 2020 graduate of McKinney Boyd High School in McKinney, Texas, Brewer was a standout in the classroom as well, including two years in Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society and named to the President’s Honor List for academic excellence three times. Brewer was a 2021 Paris Junior College Homecoming nominee and crowned 2022 Mr. PJC. He also won the Distinguished Service Award at the Spring 2022 graduation, the highest honor a PJC student may receive.
“Beau was a standout at PJC on campus, in the classroom and on the baseball field,” said Dr. Pam Anglin, PJC President. “He is an outstanding young man who will do well and we are excited for Beau today. We wish him the very best with the New York Yankees.”
Since graduation, Brewer has been playing with the Minor League Baseball team Savannah Bananas and was named the 2022 Coastal Plain League All-Star Hitter of the Game.
He had signed to play with Kansas State prior to being drafted by the Yankees.
