Dawn Cobb

Dustin Adams, manager of the Denton office for Adams Exter­mi­nating, announced plans to expand services to new territories north of U.S. 380.

The growth around Prosper, Cross Roads and Little Elm, among other communities in north Denton County, is leading Adams Exterminating to expand its market, according to a news release.

Ten years ago, Adams expanded to the Lewisville area and increased its fleet to more than 25 trucks. Adams’ Lewisville office now provides service to Flower Mound, The Colony, Frisco, Southlake, Grapevine, Coppell, Bedford and Euless.

The expansion worked out well, according to Adams.

Adams Exterminating was founded in Denton in 1947. Four generations later, the company is still family-owned. Many families originally served by Virgil Adams still remain loyal customers, a testament to their long-lasting relationships. Three employees have been with the company for more than 20 years.

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The 29th annual Denton County Farm & Ranch Tour has seats available for the yearly trip to see major ranches, farms and agricultural industries. Cost is $25 per person with the tour scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Stonehill Center at Loop 288 and Interstate 35E.

This year’s tour includes visits to:

* Webster & Son Farms — a wheat farm, grain drying and storage, and cattle operation;

* Anderson Farms — which has the combination of black Simmental cattle and coastal Bermuda grass;

* Paddack Farms — which provides liquid and custom-blended fertilizer spreading, fencing, lawn and vet supplies, feed and other materials;

* Duck Creek Blackberry Farm — a pick-your-own blackberry farm north of Denton, which awaits crowds to stop by to harvest them by the handfuls;

* Bar S Quarter Horse Ranch — one of several breeding facilities in an area known for its high quality horsemanship.

* Martindale Feed Mill — which provides sacked and bulk feed primarily for the dairy industry.

Martindale is also providing lunch at Isle du Bois Park at Ray Roberts Lake.

The annual tour ends with a fish population demonstration from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. If you’re interested, e-mail info@denton-chamber.org or call 940-382-9693.

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Along Hickory Street in downtown is a new sign: Madison Jane “Style for Your Home.” The shop at 165 1/2 Hickory St. is now open in the location that once housed Wik. Wik consolidated its locations into one at the Golden Triangle Mall.

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Soil moisture levels for acreage across North Texas are adequate, according to a report from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Corn is planted and emerging in good condition; grain sorghum planting was more than 50 percent completed and in fair to good condition.

Nearly all wheat and oats were headed but were a little behind schedule. Wheat and oats were harvested for silage and some ryegrass.

In some areas, a few soybeans were planted. Hay producers were preparing fields but were worrying about high fuel and fertilizer costs, according to the weekly report.

Yields are good for hay that was recently harvested; winter pastures are peaking; and clovers are beginning to seed.

The growth of summer pastures is coming along slowly due to cooler weather. All livestock pastures were lush and green after recent rain. Body condition of cattle is excellent, though the fly population has increased.

And peaches and strawberries are looking good.

Congrats

Toni Haddox, administrative director for women’s services at Denton Regional Medical Center, was recently named to the “Great 100 Nurses” list for 2008.

The list is coordinated by districts 3 and 4 of the Texas Nurses Association and the Dallas/Fort Worth Hospital Council.

The honor is given to only 100 nurses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area each year. The winners are chosen by their peers and patients, and are selected because they most exemplify excellence in the art and science of nursing.

Haddox advocated for the establishment of a bilirubin clinic at Denton Regional Medical Center, recognizing that many indigent newborns in Denton County were unable to be seen in a pediatrician’s office or other clinics two weeks following delivery for screening.

In 2007, Haddox was instrumental in establishing The BiliClinic, which provides a place to conduct this screening 24 to 48 hours post discharge.

Haddox also wrote and was awarded a grant to ensure care for families in Denton County who are unable to pay for this service.

Staff writer Greg Russell contributed to this report.

DAWN COBB can be reached at 940-566-6879. Her e-mail address is dcobb@dentonrc.com .