Nash Files For Place 2 On Sulphur Springs City Council
A fourth candidate has filed candidacy for a place on the May 2 Sulphur Springs City Council Election ballot.
Harold Nash Sr. Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 22, signed up for City Council Place 2 seat. He was appointed by the City Council on Dec. 13 to serve in the Place 2 seat, following the City Council’s acceptance of resignations from Erica Armstrong, Jimmy Lucas and Jeff Sanderson.
Place 2 is an unexpired term, as are Places 1, 3 and 5. Places 6 and 7 are slated to be on the May 2 ballot as well; both are for a full term on the council.
Nash is the second candidate to sign up Wednesday, and fourth candidate overall to file for a place on the May 2 ballot.
Oscar Aguilar filed just before lunch for Place 3 on the City Council late Wednesday morning. Oscar served on the City Council from 2006-2018, when Norman Sanders defeated him in his bid for reelection 685 votes to 509 votes. Sanders resigned in December from his seat on the school board
Incumbent John A. Sellers filed paper work Jan. 15 seeking reelection to Place 7 on the City Council. He filed paper work for candidacy on the May 2 ballot on Jan. 15, the first day of filing. Sellers is completing his third term on the council.
Incumbent Doug Moore also is seeking reelection to the City Council. He filed candidacy Jan. 17 for Place 6 the May 2 Sulphur Springs City Council ballot. Moore was elected in May 2019 to finish the last year of Dan Froneberger’s term on the council, which expires this spring. Moore was appointed to serve in Place 6 until the May 2019 election following Froneberger’s resignation midway through his term.
Candidate filing for the unexpired term Places 1-3 seats and Place 5 seat, and full term for Places 6-7 seats on the May 2 Sulphur Springs City Council ballot continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Feb. 14, at City Hall, 201 North Davis St. Residents should see City Secretary Gale Roberts for an application packet.
Pairs Junior College Received Full Re-accreditation for its Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program.
With nursing demand at an all-time high, Paris Junior College is pleased to have received full re-accreditation for its Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Board of Commissioners, meeting all six standards.
According to a recent article from Texas Public Radio, by 2030 Texas will experience a labor deficit of 71,000 nurses. PJC has two nursing programs and a nurse aide program to meet the demand: the Enhanced Nurse Aide which can be completed in one semester, and the Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) and LVN to ADN programs that may each be completed in 12 months.
Articulation (transfer) agreements are another way PJC works to meet the region’s demand for nurses. The College has a longstanding articulation agreement with the University of Texas – Arlington for students wanting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In 2018, PJC signed an articulation agreement with Texas A&M University – Commerce allowing PJC students to take all but 30 hours of classes from PJC before transferring to the BSN program at TAMU-C.
“Paris Junior College offers students an opportunity to receive an excellent nursing education without leaving home,” said PJC Director of Nursing Stephanie Parker, “and provides the community with high quality nurses.”
PJC is taking applications for the LVN program now through February 14 — and will take applications for the LVN to ADN program applications from March 1 through May 15. Completed applications are accepted by appointment – January through February for the LVN program and May through June for the LVN to ADN program. The LVN program starts in the Summer I semester (June 1) and the LVN to ADN program begins in the fall semester (August 24).
For more information on the nursing programs at PJC, contact Stephanie Parker at [email protected] or 903-782-0246.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Hopkins County 4-H Member Wins Class, Group Reserve At Fort Worth Stock Show
Aspen Mayhew, Hopkins County 4-H member, wins class and reserve in group at the Braford Point Show, Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo 2020.
Aguilar Files For Place 3 On Sulphur Springs City Council
As of lunch Wednesday, only three people have filed candidacy for the six places to be determined in the May 2 Sulphur Springs City Council Election.
Oscar Aguilar had filed candidacy for Place 3 on the City Council late Wednesday morning. Oscar served on the City Council from 2006-2018, when Norman Sanders defeated him in his bid for reelection 685 votes to 509 votes.
Incumbent John A. Sellers, whose term on the board ends this spring, is seeking reelection to Place 7 on the City Council. He filed paper work for candidacy on the May 2 ballot on Jan. 15, the first day of filing. Sellers is completing his third term on the council, and has served several terms as and in December was selected to again serve as mayor. He has been marketing director for City National Bank of Sulphur Springs since 2006.
Incumbent Doug Moore also is seeking reelection to the City Council. He filed candidacy Jan. 17 for Place 6 the May 2 Sulphur Springs City Council ballot. Moore, a retired businessman, was elected in May 2019 to finish the last year of Dan Froneberger’s term on the council, which expires this spring. Moore was appointed to serve in Place 6 until the May 2019 election following Froneberger’s resignation midway through his term.
Candidate filing for the unexpired terms for Places 1-3 and Place 5, and full terms for Places 6-7 on the May 2 Sulphur Springs City Council ballot continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Feb. 14, at City Hall, 201 North Davis St. Residents should see City Secretary Gale Roberts for an application packet.
Presbyterian Church Receives Approval For Sign
First Presbyterian Church‘s request for a variance from the downtown design guidelines sign requirements was approved Tuesday night by the Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals.
The request marked the second time FPC members requested permission to put up a digital sign. However, the request was denied the first time at a Nov. 19 meeting due to the size of the sign and the fact that it would or could have animated images, which was not thought consistent with the historical appearance for the property.
City staff in November recommended the request not be approved because it didn’t meet requirements. However, Tuesday, Jan. 21, after speaking with church members and further investigation into the matter, city staff recommended granting the request to allow the church to place the sign on their property.
Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski told the ZBA that letters h ad been sent to the 12 property owners around the church who would be most impacted by the sign. Only two returned letters regarding the request, and one was undecided.
Niewiadomski said church members were not represented at the November meeting, but were present Jan. 21 to discuss the matter.
It was also pointed out that First United Methodist Church has a sign similar to the sign the Presbyterians wanted to install. The location of FUMC’s sign is just outside the map for requirements regarding downtown signs. FPC is located about the same distance from downtown, but on the map within the restricted zone. It’s a short distance to the railroad tracks on College Street, and owns the property to the tracks. The church is not within what is considered easy walkable distance to downtown, according to Niewiadomski.
City Attorney Jim McLeroy told the board that he believed had there not been a breakdown at the meeting, which the church members did not attend, the request never would have been presented to the ZBA.
ZBA member James Litzler asked the church members if they were willing to make adjustments to meet the qualifications, including reducing the sign to six feet and asked if it would be a color to match the brick on the building.
Lee Teetes said the sign would be pretty close in color, although the exact color of the building would be hard to match. The brick on the building is more than 100 years old, the length of time the church has been on the property.
Teetes said unfortunately, the sign, which is 6.27 feet can’t be reduced in size because it has already been purchased and is stored inside the building. The $10,000 was donated and the sign was purchased and given to the church.
The sign that was at the church was in such bad shape that it had to be taken down. He promised the new sign would be “something that looks good.”
ABA member Jay Julian said the based on the guidelines given to them for downtown towns, in Chapter 8.14 of the design guidelines, the church doesn’t meet the size guidelines and could be construed as “out of character historically” as an “attention getting signs are inappropriate.”
McLeroy pointed out that the Presbyterian church property is about the same distance down College Street as the Methodist church is on Church Street. However, half of FUMC’s property is outside the district. The sign is on the half just outside the district.
The city attorney said the boundary lines, which include overlays for the tax reinvestment zone, were established 10-15 years ago with the intent that additional funds would be raised from improved property values within the reinvestment zone to pay for bonds used to fund improvements on the square.
“We tried to identify properties that would have enhanced value. The whole city was affected, but some properties were more directly affected,” McLeroy said.
The church doesn’t fit into that category for increased tax value, even if significant changes were made to increase the property value because it is a church, McLeroy explained.
Litzler pointed out that any lighted sign would be out of character historically for the building due to the age of it.
Teetes presented the ZBA with a printouted image of the sign.
“It looks like a tasteful sign to me,” Litzler said, adding that he had no problem with a church being allowed to advertise service times and functions on a sign on their property.
ZBA Chairman Brad Burgin said he agreed. He said he doesn’t think the church’s location within the overlay boundaries is inside the line intended for the sign design guidelines, considering the location of the FUMC property and sign on the map.
Burgin recommended, and Kevin Mohl seconded the motion, that the sign be allowed. Litzler also agreed to the request. Jay Julian would neither approve nor decline the request, opting to abstain from voting on the matter.
Discussion continued, with the church and other council asking him about his decision.
Julian said the church is on the map in the district. The rules should not be left for interpretation. He said he applied the same method to all matters presented. He said the rules and ordinances were in place, and he tried to follow them.
Julian also pointed out that animated signs are prohibited.
Burgin pointed out that one business on the square has a sign that is lighted and could be considered movement in the window.
Church members Red Cross and Myra Grant asked if the lights on the courthouse which change colors would fall into that category as that isn’t keeping with the historic look for the area and about First Baptist Church’s lighted sign. Also suggested was building a structure on the property and putting the sign under it so it meets the terms like signs in business windows.
McLeroy pointed out that the colored lights on the square are just that, lights, so the sign guideline doesn’t apply to them. Lizler conceded that historically, the courthouse was not flooded with purple lights. It was pointed out the FBC sign is a neon sign, not a digital animated one.
Mohl asked what it’d take to change the boundary or clarify the design guidelines. The DRB would have to approve it, then it would likely be presented to the City Council.
After further discussion a second vote was called. Three members of the ZBA voted to allow the sign. Julian again abstained.
McLeroy said it is his legal opinion that the 3-1 vote should allow the measure. He said he was reminded that while state statues stipulate an underlying majority of four must approve appeals, the matter is a request for a local regulations variance. It’s not in the city ordinances, so agreement of a super majority should be enough to approve the sign design variance guideline request, McLeroy said.
Balch Springs Man Jailed Following I-30 Traffic Stop
A 32-year-old Balch Springs man stopped around 1:45 p.m. Jan. 21 on Interstate 30 at mile marker 116 for an obscured license plate. The driver ended up in Hopkins County jail on tampering with evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia and no driver’s license charges, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde, in arrest reports, alleged he observed indicators of deception and criminal activity during a roadside interview of Luis Alberto Palomino, who was driving the Honda Civic with the obscured license plate. Palomino did not have a driver’s license, according to arrest reports. Ugalde reported receiving Palomino’s permission to search the car and patted him down as well.
Ugalde found an object he recognized as a pipe used for smoking illicit substances and Palomino admitted to concealing the pipe and that it contained meth residue, the trooper alleged in arrest reports. Another pipe with suspected meth residue was allegedly located in the driver’s door of the car during a search. Palomino was taken to jail and the car was towed. The trooper, in arrest reports, stated both pipes will be submitted to the DPS crime lab in Tyler of analysis.
Palomino remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Jan. 22, on tampering with evidence, no driver’s license and possession of drug paraphernalia charges, according to jail reports.
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Lady Cats Soccer Team Takes Two of Three Games in Terrell Tourney, Plays at Pittsburg Tuesday Night
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Javier Aguayo said his Lady Cats played well this past weekend (January 16-17) in the Terrell Tiger Winter Blast Soccer Tournament. The Lady Cats lost to host Terrell, 1-0 but defeated Athens, 1-0 and Seagoville, 17-0. Coach Aguayo said after a rocky first half against Athens, the Lady Cats dominated the second half and got a goal from Rebekah Stanley. He said Stanley kicked a knuckle ball at the Athens’ goal keeper that she could not handle. Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats also had a tough first half against Terrell. He said a defensive mistake resulted in a Lady Tiger goal. He said again the Lady Cats played a dominating second half but could not score. Coach Aguayo said near the end, Stanley had a free kick and just missed scoring grazing the goalpost. Coach Aguayo said Friday against Seagoville, the Lady Cats needed to score 13 goals and they needed Athens to defeat Terrell to qualify for the tourney championship game. The Lady Cats got 17 goals but did not make the championship game when Athens and Terrell tied. The Lady Cats travel to Pittsburg to play the Lady Pirates Tuesday night. There will be a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity contest at 7:15 p.m. The Lady Cats come into the game with a 2-4-1 season record.
After Good Play in Terrell Tournament, Wildcats Soccer Team Hosts Pittsburg Tuesday Night
The Wildcats Soccer Team played well in the Terrell Tiger Winter Classic this past weekend (January 16-18). The Wildcats tied Kilgore and defeated Hallsville and Seagoville. Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton said the Wildcats just came up short for point needed to qualify for the tournament’s championship game. Coach Upton said the Wildcats defeated Hallsville, 2-0 but could well have scored several more goals. Tuesday night the Wildcats play Pittsburg at Gerald Prim Stadium. There will be a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. with the Varsity contest to follow at around 7:15 p.m. The Wildcats come into the contest with a season record of 4-4-3. Coach Upton said Pittsburg has an 8-1 record with their only loss to perennial soccer power Palestine. He called the Pirates a good, solid team that has defeated some decent teams. Coach Upton said the Pirates would challenge the Wildcats. Friday the Wildcats will be back at The Prim hosting Mesquite Poteet, Coach Upton’s alma mater. He said it’s always good to play your old school. He said it would be fun and exciting.
Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta Dissects Greenville Loss, Discusses Mount Pleasant Contest
Wildcats Suffer Greenville Loss
Commenting on the #9 ranked Wildcats Basketball Team’s 41-38 loss at Greenville Friday night (January 17), Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoiletta said the Lions played really well and played like they really wanted the win. He said the Wildcats also played hard too but he said it was like there was a lid on the Wildcats’ basket. He said the Wildcats had a hard time finishing around the basket. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats missed 18 layups and shot only 27% from two point range during the game. He added the Wildcats normally average about 30 points in the paint but had only 8 points at Greenville.
Then there were the Wildcats 2 point first quarter and 4 point fourth quarter. Coach Cipoletta said you can’t beat good teams doing that. He said he thought the Wildcats played defense good enough to win but he added there were some things that needed sharpening up on.
Offensive rebounds by Greenville was one of those areas. Coach Cipoletta said he called out some players Saturday for not blocking out and dominating the boards. He said the Wildcats allowed Greenville only .89 points per possession. He said when you keep a team at one or under, you usually have a good chance to win. Coach Cipoletta said Greenville played physically down low and that made it hard for the Wildcats to finish. He also said the Wildcats let the emotions of the game get to them. He said the team needs to learn to play within themselves and not experience ups and downs. Coach Cipoletta said there is no time to mope or hang your head.
Tuesday night the Wildcats play host to Mount Pleasant.
Coach Cipoletta says they only have 2 losses this year. The Tigers opened district play with a solid win against Texas High. Coach Cipoletta said the game will be a good test of the Wildcats’ leadership as they try to turn things around after the loss in the district opener. Sub-varsity games begin at 5 p.m. The Lady Cats’ varsity plays Mount Pleasant at 6:15 p.m. The Wildcats’ varsity plays the Tigers at around 7:30 p.m.
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Winnsboro Police Department Media Report Jan. 13, 2020-Jan. 19, 2020
Arrests
- Karla Weathers, age 48, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 1/13/2020 for Possession of Controlled Substance PG1.
- Adrian Foster, age 43, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 1/18/2020 for Possession of Controlled Substance PG1>=1G<4G DFZ and Possession of Controlled Substance PG3<28G DFZ.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 214 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 90 citations and 87 warnings during this reporting period.
