Expert Says There Is Proof That Prescribed Burns Work
The Wildcat Bluff Nature Center northwest of Amarillo is adding fire breaks and planning controlled burns after nearby fires threatened that area in recent weeks. While they do remain controversial, David Brooke, AgriLife Extension Statewide prescribed fire coordinator, believes there is proof that prescribed burns can deter wildfires. “A recent case study of that is the town of Borger when it came to the Smokehouse Creek Fire. They were right in the path of that fire. Borger has a prescribed burning plan and in the months before, they had done a seven-mile prescribed burn around the town. Later on, when that wildfire came through, they were able to use that as defensible space. They essentially saved their town from that wildfire,” Brooke told KXDJ’s Chris Samples. Click here to listen to more. He went on to add that safety and having a good plan are crucial when planning a prescribed burn. | ||
4.6 Magnitude Earthquake Reported Near Borger | ||
Hutchinson County Podcasts Rusty and Catherine Mihm
| ||
Congratulations April Couch
| ||
PSPCISD Bond Progress | ||
Region 16 Elementary Teacher of the Year Nominee
| ||
Back to School Fair August 8
| ||
Grants Will Allow NPEC To Complete Two Major Projects
More can $22 million in state funding is headed to the Texas Panhandle to strengthen reliability for customers served by North Plains Electric Coop. Mike Wolfe, executive VP and GM, told KXDJ’s Chris Samples that the money will help get customers back on more quickly during an outage. “These grants helped with two jobs. One is rebuilding a 40-year-old transmission line and the other is rebuilding our Ochiltree interchange. I’m really excited about the transmission line because it will give us a dual feed to at least five substations. That will let us get lines back on a lot quicker if we were to have damage or something like that,” Wolfe explained. Click here to listen to more. Wolfe said that without the grant money, these projects would have been very difficult. Gov. Greg Abbott announced that two grants from the Texas Energy Fund will support infrastructure improvements across the cooperative's service area, which includes portions of Hansford, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Ochiltree and Roberts counties. | ||
Lake Meredith Now Fully Invaded With Zebra Mussels
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department recently designated Lake Meredith as fully invaded with zebra mussels. Drew Satterwhite, general manager of the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority, said the population is reproducing and likely here to stay. “Our focus turns from prevention and now we are in mitigation mode to prevent damage or just issues with our infrastructure. Those zebra mussels can get inside of your pipelines and cause all kinds of problems,” he told KXDJ’s Chris Samples. According to TPWD, zebra mussels, a non-native shellfish that attaches to hard surfaces, pose a significant threat to Texas lakes, altering lake ecosystems and causing harm to native species. Listen to more here. Satterwhite said Lake Meredith is the 35th lake in Texas to earn the classification so they do have a number of contacts to lean on and learn from. | ||
Farmers Market is Coming!
| ||
TPWD Graduates 68th Texas Game Warden and State Park Police Cadet Class
The class included 24 new Texas Game Wardens and four Texas State Park Police officers who completed eight months of intensive training at the Texas Game Warden Training Center in Hamilton County before earning their commissions as Texas peace officers. As fully commissioned peace officers, Texas Game Wardens and Texas State Park Police officers enforce all Texas criminal laws and are responsible for enforcing the Penal Code, Transportation Code and Health and Safety Code much like other law enforcement agencies across the state. They also respond to emergencies, assist local, state and federal law enforcement partners and help educate the public on conservation and public safety issues. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivered the ceremony’s keynote address. "You are now guardians of places that cannot speak for themselves," said Governor Abbott. "You carry a badge, but more than that, you carry a standard of courage, integrity, and selfless service. You are more than wildlife officers; you are law enforcement officers, border defenders, rescue responders, and Texas’ all-weather, all-terrain, all-mission force to protect our great state. Texas is counting on you to protect what makes this state worth loving, and I know with absolute confidence that you will achieve that." Texas Game Wardens are the primary law enforcement officers responsible for enforcing hunting, fishing and water safety laws and play a critical role in conserving the state’s natural resources. “Our new game wardens are joining a profession rooted in service, conservation and public safety,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, TPWD law enforcement director. “They are stepping into careers that will take them into communities, on waterways and into remote areas across Texas where they will protect natural resources, assist people in times of crisis and uphold the laws of this state. We are proud to welcome them into the Texas Game Warden family.” Texas State Park Police officers provide law enforcement services within Texas State Parks and support public safety efforts in surrounding communities. “Our new park police officers are joining a proud tradition of service within the Texas State Parks system,” said Chief Wes Masur, TPWD State Park Police. “They will help provide a safe and enjoyable experience for the millions of visitors who explore our state parks each year while also supporting public safety efforts in surrounding communities. We are excited to see the impact they will make.” All graduating cadets successfully completed the state-mandated requirements for peace officer certification, including criminal and constitutional law, firearms, self-defense, use of force, boat operations, arrest, search and seizure, ethics, first aid and emergency response. The new officers will soon begin assignments in counties and state parks across Texas, joining more than 500 commissioned game wardens and about 150 state park police officers already serving statewide. | ||
Turkey Track Ranch 1886
| ||
Hutchinson County Podcast---The Best of the Best
| ||
Interview With Blaik Kemp
| ||
Community of Pringle Receives Historical Marker
| ||
| • | The Ancient Quarries of Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument |
| • | City of Borger Recipient of National Mitigation Hero Award |