| |
|
Copper theft arrests reported
Special to The Monitor
CANTON–The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office Investigators along with
Precinct 4 Constable Pat Jordan made two arrests in connection with
recent reported copper thefts, Thursday, Oct. 19.
One other suspect in conjunction with these cases has been arrested and
is currently being held in Kaufman County. The investigation is ongoing
and Investigators feel that more arrests will follow.
Anyone with information on this crime or any crime is asked to contact
Crime Stoppers at (903) 567-STOP (7867) or Investigator Kenny Martin at
(903) 567-4133 ext. 244.
The Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers program provides cash rewards up to
$1,000 to tipsters who give information that results in an arrest and
indictment.
‘Fill the bus’ drive
underway
Special to The Monitor
MABANK–Mabank and Kemp High School Beta Clubs, other clubs,
organizations and campuses are joining forces to collect nonperishable
food items in the fourth annual “Fill the Bus” campaign.
The collection began Monday, and runs through Friday, Nov. 17.
Every year, collected food items have been donated to local food
pantries, which, in turn, help many families in need.
The local and church food pantries are in need of nonperishable food
items this time of year because of the approaching holidays.
The Beta Club motto is “Let us Lead by Serving Others.”
“Fill the Bus” has enabled students to truly put this philosophy into
practice.
Anyone interested in contributing to “Fill the Bus” may drop off items
at the main office at Mabank High School, or they may place the items
directly on the bus parked in front of the high school.
Livestock assistance grants must
be postmarked by Nov. 13
Special to The Monitor
AUSTIN–Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs reminds eligible livestock
producers in 216 Texas counties that applications for the
federally-funded Livestock Assistance Grant Program must be postmarked
by Nov. 13.
The application must be addressed to: Livestock Assistance Grant
Program, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, TX
78711.
Incomplete applications and applications postmarked after Nov. 13 will
not be considered.
Applications are available on TDA’s Web site at www.agr.state.tx.us; at
all TDA offices; and at Texas Cooperative Extension and U.S. Department
of Agriculture Farm Service Agency county offices in the 216 eligible
Texas counties.
Although local Cooperative Extension and FSA staff may have basic
knowledge of the program, they will not have received specific training
on the program, so producers with any questions are encouraged to call
TDA at (512) 463-2459 or 1-800-TELL-TDA (1-800-835-5832).
To qualify for LAGP funds, a producer must meet all the following
criteria:
• Must have suffered livestock forage production losses due to drought
conditions March 7-Aug. 31, 2006.
• Must have a livestock operation that suffered forage production losses
in one or more of the 216 Texas counties classified as D3
Drought–Extreme or D4 Drought–Exceptional during the eligibility period;
and
• Must have raised adult beef cattle two years of age and older and
sheep one year of age and older for commercial use as part of a farming
operation.
Forage production losses may include costs incurred to buy supplemental
feed and hay, costs to relocate livestock to new pastures, feed
transportation costs, the cost of emergency water supplies and the loss
of forage production including hay and pasture.
Funds will be paid on a per head basis to be determined by the total
number of livestock claimed by all eligible applicants and will differ
for cattle and sheep based on standard animal units.
Editor’s Note: The local counties in Texas eligible for LAGP are
Henderson, Van Zandt and Kaufman. |