Today's Date

Welcome to SantaAnna News.com

James Pelton's News for and about folks from Santa Anna Texas

Fav-Icon

Google
WWW SantaAnnaNews.com

Click for Santa Anna, Texas Forecast

Send your news item to news@santaannanews.com or use our convenient form!

The Front Page

Special Prayer Request

Deborah (Bodine) Stanton, Cindy, and I would like to make a special prayer request for Cynthia (Garrett) Philpot.

Deborah tells me that Cynthia was supposed to be have been moved to MD Anderson in Houston but now is going to UT Southwest in Dallas. Janet Neff will have a special card for her at That Santa Anna Store. Go by and sign it and leave any other cards you would like to send.

I shed a tear as I think of Cynthia and her pain and suffering... a tear is so little but a prayer is so much.

Please remember Cynthia, Wayne, and their family in your prayers during this time.


Cisco Networker's Live 2007

I have learned a lot of very technical stuff here in Anaheim so far this week and I won't even begin to bore you with it.

But I will tell you about one of the highlights, which may be in the top ten in my life experiences... which was the Customer Appreciation Event held Wednesday night at the Oaks Bleinheim Equestrian Facility. I have anticipated this part for several month's much to my wife Cindy's dismay. She really wanted to come but we couldn't afford to pay her way and her be off of work too.

There was a lot of people, about ten thousand or so, lots of food and drink. There was a lot of funs things to do too, like a carnival rides, arcade games, and laser tag and they had some all girl rock tribute bands that played and were very good and really loud. They were Zeperella, the Iron Maidens, and AC/DSHE.

But the highlight of the event for me was the the legendary rock band KISS.

KISS at Cisco Networkers Live 2007 - Customer Appreciation Event

KISS

Cindy has been more than a little upset with me over the last few months especially every time Family Jewels comes on A&E. It has become one of her favorite TV shows and is about one of KISS's singers, Gene Simmons, his girl friend and Playboy Playmate Shannon Tweed and their two children, Sophie and Nick. She was really mad at me when I called Jessica and Chrystal from the concert and wouldn't hardly talk to me. She did talk to me but I could barely hear here... probably best that way. In fact I probably won't be able to hear for the rest of my life!

I stayed up front about ten rows back and took pictures for a while when my heart started beating a little funny. I thought I would head back towards the back and try to get some more pictures when I went and stood by the sound mixer. I thought that I recognized someone in the group of ladies and sure enough it was Shannon standing less than ten feet from me. In a little bit she came off the platform and over to the temporary fence and signed some autographs across from where I was. I was a little too shy to go over.

In a little bit Sophie and her boyfriend walked up beside Shannon and then a little later Nick and his girlfriend walked up. He is really tall.

This is the part that will make Cindy mad at me for a long time. As the last song came on they left and walked right by me and I swallowed real hard and asked Shannon if I could have my picture made with her and she put her arm around me and me her and well the picture is pretty goofy... I think I might have lost my breath because my mouth was wide open. Anyhow it, my self portrait with Shannon Tweed, is not near as good as some of Chrystal's self portraits with her friends.

I am flying home Friday and I think I might need a place to stay now!


HARTMANS GET TOGETHER IN SANTA ANNA

THE DECENDENTS OF I.E. AND REBA HARTMAN HELD THEIR ANNUAL REUNION ON SATURDAY, JULY 21ST AT THE SANTA ANNA COMMUNITY CENTER. FORTY-FOUR WERE IN ATTENDANCE.

REGISTRATION BEGAN AT 10.00 WITH VISITING AND GAMES TAKING UP MOST OF THE MORNING. AFTER A “BRING YOUR OWN” LUNCH, THERE WAS A SHORT BUSINESS MEETING. IT WAS DECIDED TO DONATE $200.00 TO THE SANTA ANNA CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. NEXT YEAR’S REUNION LOCATION WAS ALSO DISCUSSED.

A “WHITE ELEPHANT” AUCTION WAS HELD WITH THE PROCEEDS GOING TOWARD REUNION EXPENSES. AUCTIONEER GARY HARTMAN, WITH STEVIE HARTMAN ASSISTING, KEPT THE BIDDING LIVELY. OVER $500.00 WAS RAISED.

THE EVER POPULAR M & M GUESSING CONTEST WAS BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR. THERE WERE TWO DIVISIONS: 18 AND UNDER & 19 AND OVER. WINNERS OF THE M &M CONTEST WERE:
18 AND UNDER- PEYTON WALKER, EARLY
19 AND OVER- CINDY BOYLE, BURKETT

PRIZES WERE ALSO AWARDED AS FOLLOWS: OLDEST IN ATTENDANCE- RUBY HARTMAN, SANTA ANNA
YOUNGEST IN ATTENDANCE- HAYDEN HARTMAN, MARION
TRAVELED THE FARTHEREST- STEVE/STEVIE HARTMAN, OPELOUSAS, LA

NEW TO THE REUNION THIS YEAR WAS THE “BOX GAME”. THERE WERE 12 PARTICIPANTS WITH JAMES HARTMAN WINNING THE $50.00. WE EXPECT A LOT MORE PARTICIPANTS NEXT YEAR AFTER EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE SAW HOW MUCH FUN IT WAS.

GRANDPA’S CATERING (AKA RONNIE HARTMAN, STANLEY HARTMAN, TERRY AND JORDAN MACH) PREPARED THE MEAT FOR THE EVENING MEAL, WHICH CONSISTED OF GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN, SAUSAGE AND CHICKEN TENDERS WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS. PEACH, CHERRY AND APPLE COBBLERS TOPPED OFF THE EVENING MEAL.

THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WERE:
MIDLOTHIAN
TERRY, ROBIN, BRITTANY AND JORDAN MACH

ODESSA
JONIE AND SANDY HARTMAN

BURKETT
CINDY AND DARYL BOYLE

BANGS
SANDRA AND HARRY WALKER
SHANNON BOYLE

EARLY
PEYTON AND RAIME WALKER

SNYDER
MIKE, DONNA, TRAVIS AND BRENNA HARTMAN

AUSTIN
GARY AND FRANCINE HARTMAN JEREMY HARTMAN DALE AND CAROL REEVES

PFLUGERVILLE
JEFFREY HARTMAN

NEW BRAUNFELS
DEBRA HOUGH
SCOTTY, JACE AND JENNA WALKER

OPELOUSAS, LOUISANA
STEVE AND STEVIE HARTMAN

BROWNWOOD
RONNIE AND BETH HARTMAN
EDDIE AND MARY ANN HARTMAN

MARION
JAMES, TANYA, MAEGAN, KATIE AND HAYDEN HARTMAN

SANTA ANNA
EDD AND RUBY HARTMAN
STANLEY AND JUDY HARTMAN
STEPHANIE AND HANNAH HARTMAN


Thanks

We would like to thank the community members who helped us on July 23 when the truck hauling our sheep broke down in front of the Computer Center. We'd especially like to thank Jim and Marie of the Computer Center, Police Chief Torres, and Nathan Wise for their astonishing, heartwarming good will and assistance.
Penny Ford


Rain

Tex Wright reports, "I had .6 in my rain guage this morning. I had about .2 in the guage that I poured out Sunday night" and another "we had .2 of showers in the guage Monday afternoon"

I report no rain and beautiful weather from under the palms in Southern California!

Speaking of Southern Calinfornia, here is a show of the pool area from my seventh floor balcony of my hotel, the Sheraton Park in Anaheim.

Sheraton

Looking back to the Sheraton Park tower from the ground.

Sheraton

The Crystal Cathedral of Dr. Robert H. Schuller from my balcony.

Crystal Cathedral

The Disneyland from the other side of the Sheraton Park.

Disneyland.jpg


July 24, 2007

Texas Crop and Weather

Writers: Robert Burns, 903-312-3199,rd-burns@tamu.edu
Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Photos and Graphics

Click for larger images

Audio

MP3(1.9 Mb)

Audio Script

COLLEGE STATION – Prolonged wet weather followed by a dry spell can mean trouble in anthrax-prone areas, according to a Texas Cooperative Extension expert.

Dr. Floron "Buddy" Faries, Extension's state veterinarian at College Station, said the recent loss of 17 cattle and a number of deer in northern Tom Green County attests to this fact.

"Anthrax occurs naturally in many areas of the state," Faries said. "It can lie dormant for decades, withstanding all types of inclement weather, but when conditions are right, it can quickly become active."

Most longtime ranchers in anthrax areas are aware of this threat and routinely vaccinate their animals against it, Faries said.

"It's easy to forget it's around though, because years can go by without a problem," he said.

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can cross-infect from animals to humans.

"The naturally occurring type, the type we're talking about here, is contracted by ingestion only, not by inhalation," Faries said. "You could have a picnic on an anthrax hotspot, spread your blanket over it and eat right on the ground, and never have a problem unless you decided to graze the grass or eat the contaminated soil."

Extension specialists and agents reported the following conditions throughout Texas:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were near normal all week with little rain. Soil moisture was short to adequate with most areas reporting adequate. Corn was fair to excellent, though leaf diseases were reported in a few fields. Corn borer moths were active, and reports of spider mites continued. Cotton continued to improve with warmer temperatures and drier conditions. Some incidences of cotton fleahoppers and lygus bugs were reported. Peanuts were mostly good; sorghum, fair to excellent; and soybeans, mostly good. Range conditions were rated mostly good. Cattle were in excellent condition. However, fly and mosquito problems continued.

SOUTH PLAINS: High temperatures were in the low 90s F with no significant rainfall. Accumulation of heat units was below normal because of several overcast days. The wheat harvest neared completion with above- average yields. Corn was good to excellent, with pollination progressing well. Cotton was fair to good, with some producers beginning to irrigate. Weed and insect pressure continued to be an issue for many cotton producers, however. Grain sorghum and peanuts were in good condition. Pumpkins were also doing well, and producers began applying fungicides. Sunflowers were in peak bloom and doing very well. Pastures and ranges were rated good to excellent. Livestock are in good condition thanks to excellent grazing conditions.

ROLLING PLAINS: With sunshine and warm weather, the cotton crop flourished, and producers were harvesting hay. Peanuts were doing well. Water tanks are full, and livestock are in good to excellent condition. Producers, however, are battling red harvester ants, frogs, flies, mosquitoes and weeds in cotton and wheat fields.

NORTH: This week has been the first dry week in several weeks, with the exception of a few spotty showers. Soil moisture ranged from adequate to surplus. Wheat farmers were frantically trying to harvest what is left of this year's crop. Wheat yields were only 25 percent of what was expected before heavy rains fell for weeks. Mainly because of head sprouting, most of the wheat crop is a loss – as far as grain production is concerned – and will probably be sold as cattle feed. Hay producers were also working hard to get fields cut for baling. Because producers could not cut hay in a timely fashion, quality has suffered. Hay remained in short supply, especially small square bales for horses. Because of all the rain, there was an abundance of grass, but it too is overly mature. Soybean growers sprayed for Asian rust. What little oats there were, was lost. Livestock are in good condition. Sweet potatoes have suffered from too much moisture. Crickets, mosquitoes and grasshoppers were appearing in large numbers. The range and pasture conditions were good to excellent.

EAST: Some counties received another 6-7 inches of rain during the weekend and many river bottom pastures remained under water. Even on higher ground, field conditions in some counties are not conducive for cutting and baling hay. In other counties, conditions dried enough to allow producers to harvest hay for the first time in six weeks. Efforts are still under way to secure federal disaster assistance for individual and public losses. Yields were high where hay could be harvested. Moths were seen on hayfields and pastures. Pastures were growing well. Vegetables and watermelons were still being harvested. Some Extension agents received calls about turf grass and ornamental plant diseases. Livestock are looking good.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranged from very short to surplus, and crops and pasture conditions ranged from very poor to excellent. Corn was rated as very poor to good; cotton, very poor to excellent with boll setting in progress. Peanuts were in fair to excellent condition; sorghum, good to excellent. Grasslands were rapidly drying up and in need of rain. The watermelon harvest proceeded well.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures were in the mid to upper 80s F, with scattered light showers reported. Moisture conditions continue to be good to excellent. All crops seem to be doing very well. Some cotton fields, however, were flooded and might have to be replanted. Many hay fields were being cut and baled with very good yields reported. Some wheat harvesting was completed. Range and pasture conditions were good. Livestock remained in good to excellent condition. Internal parasites continued to be a major problem for sheep and goat producers. Pecans looked good, though some growers reported powdery mildew and scab.

CENTRAL: As temperatures returned to normal, the hay harvest went into full swing. Pastures and hay fields looked great. Livestock were in good shape. Corn was drying down and generally looked good. Though corn ears may be a little on the small side, the quality appeared to be high.

SOUTHEAST: Heavy rains delayed hay harvests ,but pastures were in excellent condition, and stock ponds and lakes were filled to capacity. During the last four weeks, there were only five or six consecutive days without rain, which delayed field crop harvests and reduced quality. What little milo that was harvested yielded 5,500 to 6,000 pounds per acre. Sorghum did not grade well because of wet weather and grain sprouting. Early planted rice will be ready soon for harvest – if weather holds. Cotton and soybeans were fair, but standing moisture in fields created problems in some counties. The excessive rainfall has destroyed the corn crop in some counties. Aquatic weeds such as sedges are taking over native pastures and nutrient-starved improved Bermuda grass pastures and hay meadows. Extension agents have not received reports of successful hay harvest for more than nine weeks.

SOUTHWEST: Light to very heavy thunderstorms dropped from 2 inches to more than 17 inches of rain over the weekend, causing flooding and other problems. The year-to-date cumulative total rainfall is now about 130 percent of the long-term average. Cool weather helped crops progress, but the rain disrupted the corn and sorghum harvests. Some corn fields were saturated, causing farmers to fear mold development. Cotton made excellent progress. The watermelon harvest continued. The peach harvest reached its peak. Peanut planting finally ended, far behind schedule due to wet fields. Pecans made excellent progress with good yields expected. Forage availability is above average.

COASTAL BEND: Some grain sorghum was harvested as soils dried early in the week. Later, however, rainfall returned, and fields became saturated again. Hay harvest was also halted by the rain. Most sorghum fields have moderate to severe damage due to sprouting and weathering. Cotton is shedding bolls and squares, reducing yield potential. All crops are in need of sunshine and dry weather.

SOUTH: Soil conditions ranged from surplus in Cameron County to adequate in Hidalgo and Starr counties. Some parts of the region experienced flooding. Corn fields were saturated, and the sorghum harvesting came to a standstill. Range conditions, however, continued to improve. Grain harvesting in the western part of the region was about 95 percent complete.

-30-

July 24, 2007

Free August Seminar to Focus on Livestock, Wildlife

Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-467-6575,paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Jerry Warren, 210-467-6575,jw-warren@tamu.edu

SAN ANTONIO – Texas Cooperative Extension and the Bexar Beef Cattle Committee will present a free "Livestock and Wildlife Seminar" from 6-9 p.m. on Aug. 23. The program will be in Suite 208 of the Extension office in Bexar County, located at 3355 Cherry Ridge Drive, San Antonio.

Topics will include cattle brands and cattle theft, food choices for wildlife, and preparing livestock for winter, said Jerry Warren, Extension agent for agriculture in Bexar County.

"The seminar will be beneficial for livestock producers and landowners interested in maintaining wildlife for recreational purposes," Warren said. "There will be some good tips on how to get livestock ready for winter, including pregnancy testing, vaccinations and nutrition."

One general continuing education credit will be offered.

Registration will begin at 6 p.m. and the seminar will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

For more information and to reserve a seat, contact Annette in the Bexar County Extension office at 210-467-6575. Attendees are requested to RSVP by Aug. 21.


Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Texas Attorney General Abbott Enforces State's Right-to-Work Law in Corpus Christi case

Labor group, employer unlawfully threatened to fire workers who refuse union membership

CORPUS CHRISTI – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today took legal action against a labor organization and a Corpus Christi employer for unlawfully forcing workers to join a labor union. The Attorney General is seeking a permanent injunction against the International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA), Local 727 and Asset Protection and Security Services, L.P. The company provides services to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Los Fresnos Detention Facility, also known as the Port Isabel Service Processing Center in Bayview.

The Attorney General seeks to prevent Asset Protection and Security Services from enforcing similar unlawful contractual provisions against former, current and future employees who refuse to join a union or pay membership dues as a condition of employment.

Media links
Attorney General's lawsuit against Asset Protection and Security Services

“The law guarantees important right-to-work protections for Texas workers,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Texans have the right to work without having to join a labor union or pay union dues. The Office of the Attorney General will aggressively enforce Texas’ right-to-work laws and will take all necessary measures to protect workers’ freedom from compulsory union membership.”

According to the Attorney General’s enforcement action, the SPFPA and Asset Protection and Security Services entered into an unlawful collective bargaining agreement that violates Texas’ right-to-work laws. Their unlawful contract required Asset Protection and Security Services employees to join the union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. The Texas Labor Code prohibits employers from denying employment to workers who decline to join or make payments to a labor union.

The Attorney General’s action stems from Asset Protection and Security Services’ employment threats against Carlos Banuelos, a company security guard, for not paying SPFPA membership dues. Company officials advised Banuelos to comply with the union’s demand for payment within 48 hours or face termination. In order to avoid termination, Banuelos complied with the unlawful demand.

In June, a federal administrative law judge halted a similar arrangement between the SPFPA and a company operating at an El Paso ICE facility. Today’s enforcement also action seeks civil penalties against SPFPA up to $1,000 per violation and reimbursement to employees for any fees employees paid under the unlawful agreement.


Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Texas Attorney General Abbott Enforces State's Right-to-Work Law in El Paso case

Labor group, employer unlawfully threatened to fire workers who refuse union membership

EL PASO – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today took legal action against a labor organization and an El Paso employer for unlawfully forcing workers to join a labor union. The Attorney General is seeking a permanent injunction against the International Union, Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA), Local 725, and Deco-Akal, JV and related affiliates, which provide security services to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Service Processing Center in El Paso.

The Attorney General seeks to prevent the defendants from enforcing unlawful contractual provisions against former, current and future employees who refuse to join a union or pay membership dues as a condition of employment.

Media links
Attorney General's lawsuit against Deco-Akal Services, LLC

“The law guarantees important right-to-work protections for Texas workers,” Attorney General Abbott said. “Texans have the right to work without having to join a labor union or pay union dues. The Office of the Attorney General will aggressively enforce Texas’ right-to-work laws and will take all necessary measures to protect workers’ freedom from compulsory union membership.”

According to the Attorney General’s enforcement action, the SPFPA and Deco-Akal entered into an unlawful collective bargaining agreement that violates Texas’ right-to-work laws. Their unlawful contract required Deco-Akal employees to join the union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. The Texas Labor Code prohibits employers from denying employment to workers who decline to join or make payments to a labor union.

SPFPA officials have falsely claimed that Deco-Akal’s El Paso facility fell exclusively within federal jurisdiction. However, in June, a federal administrative law judge ruled against SPFPA, holding instead that the property was not a federal enclave. The judge’s order stems from Deco-Akal’s indefinite suspension of Juan Vielma, a security guard who refused to pay his contractually mandated SPFPA membership dues. The ruling ordered Deco-Akal to reinstate Vielma and pay back his lost wages and benefits.

Today’s enforcement action also seeks civil penalties against SPFPA up to $1,000 per violation and reimbursement to employees for any fees employees paid under the unlawful agreement.


Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Attorney General Abbott, Department of Aging and Disability Services Protect Residents in Collin County Nursing Home

Investigators uncover squalid conditions endangering more than 40 residents

AUSTIN – Attorney General Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) have taken emergency action to protect more than 40 seniors living in squalid conditions at the Amberwood Care Center, an assisted living facility in Collin County.

At the Attorney General’s request, Travis County State District Court Judge Stephen Yelenosky issued a court order allowing the state to temporarily oversee operations at the nursing home in Celina. Emergency enforcement assistance was sought after a recent DADS inspection uncovered a complete breakdown at Amberwood’s Celina facility. The nursing home is charged with grossly inadequate medical care and unsanitary conditions that pose a risk to the health of its 42 residents. Many of those living at the facility were bedridden and are dependent on ventilators for their breathing.

Media Links
Attorney General's temporary restraining order against Amberwood

“Texans will not tolerate those who abuse and neglect our senior citizens,” said Attorney General Abbott. “These horrific conditions posed a severe threat to the health and safety of patients who deserve far better. The Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Aging and Disability Services are committed to protecting seniors and aggressively prosecuting those who neglect them.”

The agreed temporary restraining order names David Crowson as temporary trustee to immediately assume responsibility for the needs of Amberwood patients. DADS issued $200,000 in emergency funds for much-needed supplies and nursing staff at the nursing home. Facility owner James W. Jewel is prevented from interfering with the trustee’s management of Amberwood and with the state’s ongoing investigation.

In their reports, DADS inspectors documented the facility’s inadequate resources and staffing, often leading to residents’ lives being placed at risk. Among their findings, DADS investigators documented the following:

• Patients suffering from bed ulcers, infections and chronic pain. Several languished in various stages of dehydration.
• Many residents told investigators that they were not being properly cared for, including an elderly woman who said she had to endure days of pain before a urinary tract infection was treated with antibiotics.
• Investigators reported unsanitary conditions throughout the facility. One DADS report described a patient’s tracheotomy tube as being “coated with crust.” The same patient had a catheter inserted into his arm which was several days old, putting him at risk of serious blood infection.
• Machines used to test blood sugar levels of diabetic patients were improperly calibrated.
• Ventilators that provided critical breathing assistance were set at dangerously high oxygen flow pressures.
• The facility had only 30 bedsheets for 42 residents.

DADS’s investigation of the facility is ongoing. The trustee, his staff of nurses and state nurses are currently attending to the immediate needs of the residents and securing their transfer to other licensed facilities.


Santa Ana California

I am in a foreign country this week called California...

I flew out of Austin for DFW and then to Santa Ana/John Wayne/Orange County airport Saturday for a work related conference in Anaheim California.

No I didn't grow wings... thanks to American Airlines for getting me here safely.

AA

There are a lot of people from other countries at the conference I am at which is called is called Cisco Networkers. The conference is being held at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Networkers

That is the Anaheim Hilton on the right... the Anaheim Marriot is on the left and I am stayting at the Sheraton Park next to the Hilton and Disney World of course.

Cisco builds the traffic cops of the Internet called routers and switches.

They are pretty technical machines and I am sometimes not sure I know enough about them but I am learning...

So the news may be a little lite this week...


Jul. 23, 2007

Statement from Gov. Rick Perry regarding the passing of Heather Burcham, an unremitting advocate for women’s health and a friend:

“Heather Burcham passed from this life Saturday evening. Her pain and suffering have forever ceased, and her joy and youthfulness renewed, as she now may eternally revel in the loving arms of her Savior.

“An inspiration to myself, my staff and others whose lives were touched when she came to the Capitol this past February, Heather was a physically meager yet passionate believer in the importance of informing Texans about a terrible disease that claims the lives of too many of our wives, daughters, mothers and friends. Though she would have only a short time left to tell her story of how cervical cancer had devastated her youth, stealing away her dreams of marriage, children and a future of endless opportunity, Heather was intent on making a difference. Her life, she said, would not be in vain.

“Anita and I are very blessed to have known Heather Burcham and we pray that her family and friends find solace and strength as they reflect on the incredible life of this courageous young woman.”


July 23, 2007

Familiar Pests Return Early

Writer: Mike Jackson, 972-952-9232,mcjackson@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Mike Merchant, 972-231-5362,m-merchant@tamu.edu

Photos and Graphics

close-up of field cricket
Click for larger images

Audio

MP3(1.9 Mb)

Audio Script

DALLAS – They're like uninvited guests who show up too early for the party. To make matters worse, they get underfoot and smell.

Welcome back the field cricket. They're arriving earlier than usual this summer in Texas, said Dr. Mike Merchant, a Texas Cooperative Extension entomologist based in Dallas.

"We can blame the unusual summer rain," Merchant said. "That triggers mating flights."

The crickets typically appear much later, after a long dry summer followed by early fall rain, he said. But this season's rain apparently hastened development and softened the soil early for their eggs.

Extension offices have received complaints about crickets in Austin, Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Paris, Rockwall and Sulphur Springs, he said. But agents expect to hear more as eggs hatch and crickets mature.

"We're starting to see them this week in the Dallas area," Merchant said.

Researchers don't know if the crickets' early arrival also means that they will return in larger numbers, Merchant said. "Time will tell."

They're pests nevertheless, he said.

Crickets breed in open fields and along roads and swarm to lights on their mating flights, he said. They turn up most often around shopping centers, gas stations and other commercial buildings where outdoor lights are left on all night.

"They're usually a nuisance for places of business," Merchant said. "They repulse shoppers."

They cover walls and walkways, he said. And they crunch when stepped on. After they die, their bodies decompose and emit a pungent odor.

"If you get a couple of pounds of crickets outside your doorway you're going to smell it," he said. "It's not good for your business."

Common insecticides can kill crickets, but the best way to handle them is to turn off outdoor lights, Merchant said. Businesses, for example, can turn them off after hours.

As an alternative, businesses could use lights that are less attractive to crickets, he said. Standard lighting could be replaced by low-pressure sodium vapor lamps and yellow incandescent "bug lights."

The same lighting solutions could also be applied to homes, he said. Field crickets live outdoors and get into buildings accidentally, Merchant said. They won't breed indoors or establish permanent infestations. Unlike people, birds may be the only ones happy about the crickets, Merchant said.

"That's one good thing about grackles," Merchant said. "They love them. Pigeons eat them too."

For more information, go to Extension's "Insects in the City" Web site at http://citybugs.tamu.edu/IntheNews_Details.asp?ID_Key=437 .


Squirrels Nest

I got home from work Thursday and noticed a large amount of small pecan tree branches laying in the driveway where Cindy usually parks. She had noticed them too but neither of us thought too much about it because there was a large dead limb about four inches in diameter and ten feet long right in the middle. I figured the wind had blown it out and it stripped the smaller green branches as it fell. Most of the small green branches were about a pencil or smaller in diameter and about a foot long with all the leaves attached. I went back outside later to move the big limb and pick up the smaller ones... a weekly task before mowing anyhow. As I moved the large dead limb and looked to see where it had fallen from I noticed the small ones where still falling and there was a large, maybe two feet around, ball of them way up in the tree about fourty feet up. At first I thought an owl had built a nest. We have had them before but this nest was different because it looked more like a ball the more I looked at it.

About that time a moma squirrel came out of it and started breaking off more small branches and running inside the ball. I watched her for another twenty minutes and got Cindy to come out and watch her with me.

She called a few old timers and asked them about it. Tex came over and checked it out. He said his dad used to look for them when they would go squirrel hunting. Grandpa Wright knew they would have squirrel for supper if they found one of the balls of tree branches.

Squirrel Nest


4-H Updates

By: Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS

4-H Calendar

July

15-21 State Shooting Sports Games - San Antonio

17 District Record Book Judging

23 District Junior & Intermediate Fashion Show

If you have any questions about any of the 4-H events listed above or would like more information about the 4-H programs in Coleman County, please come by the Extension Office, 2nd floor, County Courthouse, or give us a call at 325-625-4519.


1 and 1 Web Hosting Service

Want your own dot com?

This is a great time to get it whether you just want it for an e-mail address of your own, like james@yourlastname.com, or for putting some family pictures on the web, or getting your business on the web
1 and 1 is by far your best bet!

Any questions just send me an e-mail and I will be happy to help you get started, or just click the 1 and 1 ad on the left, or any of the links in this article.

Hit Counter | About Us | Contact Us | ©2004 SantaAnnaNews.com Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional Valid CSS!