SPORTS
OUTDOORS: State funds to stop invasives
Record-funding approved by the Texas Legislature will help the state in the war on aquatic invasive species.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is ramping up efforts to control and stop the spread of invasive plants and creatures.
Examples of invasive creatures are giant salvinia and zebra mussels covering Texas lakes, giant reed and saltcedar smothering rivers and streams and exotic fish that are altering Texas’ ecosystem.
Silver carp and bighead carp also are threats, recently entering Texas in parts of the Red River and a few other locations in primarily northeast Texas.
“It’s a huge challenge to address these problems all across our state, and no one organization can do it alone – the scale of the problem is just staggering,” Tim Birdsong, from TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division, said.
Birdsong said the state will expand education efforts, and the TPWD needs the help of boaters, riverside landowners, river authorities, water management districts and other partners.
The annual economic impact of aquatic invasive species is estimated at more than $140 billion nationally, and globally the impact is at more than $4 trillion.
The most troublesome aquatic invasive species are giant salvinia, water hyacinth, saltcedar, giant reed and zebra mussels.
Water hyacinth consumes 13 times more water than native aquatic plants, which contributes water supply concerns. Read more in the March 30 Bowie News.
Zebra mussels are increasingly becoming a problem in Texas. (Courtesy photo from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department)
Nocona got its new press box into place this week at Jack Crane Stadium. The old press box, which was in place for more than 60 years, was taken out in early June and moved to Indian Valley Raceway. The new press box was by the Southern Bleacher Company out of Graham. Athletic Director Black Crutsinger said they looked at a lot of press boxes and decided they liked the one at Lindsay High School and went with that model. Sean Hutson operated the crane from the Hurd Crane Service that put the press box up for Nocona.
Sunset native Cason Richey (right) and his team roping partner Beldon Cox from Weatherford repeated as the International Finals Youth Rodeo champions last weekend at Shawnee, OK. Richey and Cox won the previous year and were able to complete the repeat by catching three steers in a combined time of 16.6 seconds. Richey is expected to compete attend Texas Tech University this fall and compete on the rodeo team.
The Chisholm Trail Youth Rodeo had its awards ceremony this week, giving out plaques and buckles to the top competitors throughout the summer season.
There were four age categories with five events to compete in for the young athletes.
Along with the best results in each event, at the end the overall best cowboy and cowgirl in each age division was awarded as well.
The lead line division, in which an adult helps the young competitors, saw Rylee Stewart win the first in poles, barrel racing and mystery event on her way to win top cowgirl.
Hattie Snow got the fastest time in the flags event and Lany Shupak got the fastest goat time. Riggin Bishop got named the top cowboy in the division.
In the eight-and-under division, Whitley Goins won the top cowgirl and Trell Carpenter won top cowboy. Goins got the fastest times in barrel racing, flags and mystery event. Carpenter got the fastest time in poles and goats.
In the 9-12 age division, Sage Keck won the top cowgirl while Chisum Carpenter won the top cowboy. Keck got the fastest times in four of the five divisions. Only Layna Taylor getting the fastest goat time prevented her from winning in a clean sweep.
In the 13-18 age division, Tess Egenbacher won the top overall cowgirl award.
Kiley McCracken won both the barrel racing and flags event. Emma Strahan won the poles and mystery event. Hadlee Bryan won the goats event.
There was no top overall cowboy in the age division.
To see the times for the winners of each event in all four age categories along with pictures of all of the top cowboys and cowgirls, pick up a copy of the weekend edition of the Bowie News.
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