Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus Welding Shop
Colton Nolen, right, works on his TIG welding skills while Welding Instructor John Plemons, left, and student Brennan Newell observe during a recent class at the Paris Junior College -Sulphur Springs Center Welding Shop. To inquire about welding or other workforce education programs, call the campus at 903-885-1232.
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.
IT Resources, Security Systems, Fire Alarm Agreements Receive Commissioners’ Approval
Hopkins County Commissioners during their regular meeting this week approved a information technology resources agreement, security system proposals for the county’s two new district buildings, a monitoring system and printer/copier lease contract.
Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement between Sulphur Springs Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Hopkins County for access to a hosted secure facility with information technology resources and NET Data Systems and government software. Sheriff Lewis Tatum said it’s his understanding that the entities involved have had an ongoing agreement; this would renew or continue that.
Also approved were security/access control systems proposals with Firetrol Protection Systems for Hopkins County Courtroom Building and the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the annual fire alarm monitoring system agreement with Firetrol for the DA’s offices and Courthouse Annex Building.
“In a previous court we approved a fire alarm system and thought we approved security access as well because they were supposed to do both systems. They started on both systems, then, we realized we had put through fire alarm and did not put through the security and access. It was two separate contracts. So we need to pass this contract that they are installing over there,” Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook explained.
“We’ve got three different proposals that we’re going through. The first two have already been installed. The last one is the monitoring,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley asked if the systems were satisfactorily installed.
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley reported the system is up and going. He and Sulphur Springs Fire Chief David James would be conducting a final evaluate of the system to verify it meets requirements. He said anything discussed during a previous work session that had yet to be achieved would be checked to ensure those items had been addressed.
“They are already monitoring it. This is a contract to monitor it, with the price is very good, comparative,” Endsley told the court.
“The monitoring costs us $480,” Newsom said.
“Which is a great savings to what our former monitoring services to do other county buildings. That same monitoring has averaged about $800 to $1,000 a year. So that’s a great saving to us,” Endsley said.
“So we’re not approving the paying, making the payments, but the contracts themselves?” asked Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker.
“That is correct,” affirmed Aulsbrook.
When Barker asked about any work not being fulfilled, Aulsbrooks noted the county would not be making payment on contracts until they are fulfilled.
Newsom noted this was supposed to be a technology update; the process has not gone as smoothly as anticipated. The county is “ironing out the rough patches right now” to get to the desired outcome.
Meet Shelbi Cooper, Nurse Practitioner for Dr. Arneke’s Office, 115 Medical Circle (Morning Show Interview Added)
A career in the medical field had always been attractive to her as she grew up in Rains County, and fifteen years ago, Shelbi Cooper had achieved that milestone. She was working as a Registered Nurse in a major hospital in Dallas. But she wanted something more, and found it, with a specialty degree earned at Texas Women’s University as a Nurse Practitioner/Internal Medicine. For the past twelve years, Shelbi has been working as an NP at Tyler’s Mother Frances Hospital, for a time at an Urgent Care clinic in Sulphur Springs, and most recently at an Internal Medicine clinic in Winnsboro. But when she heard that Dr. Arneke of Sulphur Springs was looking for an NP to share his office, she responded immediately and one month ago, she was hired. Today, Shelbi appeared on the KSST Good Morning Show to say she is looking forward to getting to know everyone and to serving the needs of the Hopkins County community.
“As you may know, Dr. Arnecke’s office has been closed to new patients for several years. However now, the practice is accepting new patients with myself and Dr. Arneke seeing patients”, stated Shelbi. “More and more so now, rural communities are experiencing a short supply of doctors. Nurse Practitioners can become like a primary physician, as they work in an established practice under a supervising physician. We can treat, prescribe and diagnose as well as supervise a patient’s continuing care. So, along with Dr. Arnecke. I can now see patients age 18 and older Mondays through Thursdays for conditions like chronic disease, diabetes, hypertension and congestive heart failure. I can also see patients for acute care, like sinus, bronchitis, the flu and allergies, as well as give joint injections for arthritis and other causes of pain. Additionally, I will be seeing some of Dr. Arnecke’s patients who reside at Carriage House Manor”. Shelbi resides in Sulphur Springs with her husband Derek Cooper and their two small children. She hopes her work will become an asset to the community.
Below is her interview on The Good Morning Show with Enola Gay.
End of year schedule for the PJC – Sulphur Springs Center
The Paris Junior College – Sulphur Springs Center is currently conducting registration for two sessions, the three-week Winter Mini-Term and the Spring 2020 semester.
The college will close for the Thanksgiving Holiday Wednesday through Friday, Nov. 27-29, and reopen on Monday, Dec. 2. Fall semester final examinations week begins Dec. 9 and Fall Commencement will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in the Hunt Center in Paris.
The Winter Mini-Term starts on Monday, Dec. 16. The classes are all online and are all part of the State Academic Core Curriculum, which will transfer to any four-year public university in Texas.
Winter break commences on Dec. 18, and PJC will reopen Jan. 2, 2020, continuing registration for the Spring semester. All locations will be open on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon to register students.
In addition to regular registration at all locations, special one-and-done registration days will be held at the PJC-Greenville Center on Tuesday, Jan. 7 and the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center on Wednesday, Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and in Paris on Thursday, Jan. 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Some of the programs starting in the Spring 2020 semester include accounting; computer support technician; cybersecurity; emergency medical services; entrepreneurship; heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology; mechatronics; medical records coding; office technology; radiology technology; surgical technology; and welding. These programs take from one to four semesters to complete, and more are available.
Late registration will be held on Monday, Jan. 13, the first day of class for the Spring semester. For information on registration, call the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center at 903-885-1232.
Disturbance Complaint Results In Intoxication Arrest
A complaint regarding a Jefferson Street disturbance Monday night resulted in a 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s arrest for being intoxicated in public, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs police were dispatched at 10:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25, to the 900 block of Jefferson Street, in response to a 911 call. Upon arrival at the location, the homeowner told police the man had entered the residence without permission, causing a disturbance, police alleged in arrest reports.
Officials reported, upon contact with the man, they found him to be “intoxicated to the point he was danger to himself and others, resulting in his arrest for public intoxication.
The man was released from the county jail on the charge Tuesday morning, Nov. 26, according to jail reports.
The 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was the second police arrested Monday for PI. A 63-year-old Sulphur Springs man was reportedly arrested in an unrelated incident Monday morning for being intoxicated at a Church Street business.
Police were dispatched at 10:32 a.m. Nov. 25 to a report of the man possibly intoxicated at the pharmacy. Upon arrival, police reportedly contacted the man. He was alleged to have glassy, red bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and an alcohol odor emitted from his breath. When asked to stand up, the man appeared to the officer to be unsteady on his feet, police alleged in arrest reports.
The 63-year-old was jailed Nov. 25 for public intoxication, and released from jail Tuesday morning, Nov. 26, according to arrest and jail reports.
Monday marked the third time this month and fourth time this year the 63-year-old man has been jailed locally on alcohol related charges. He was also arrested Aug. 28 and Nov. 23 for public intoxication; and Nov. 5 on an open container warrant, according to jail reports.
Man Sentenced To 3 Years For Felony DWI
A 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was taken into custody at Hopkins County Courthouse and is to serve three years in prison for a felony DWI charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Timmy Lynn Clark was scheduled for a pretrial appearance in district court at 9 a.m. Nov. 25 for an Aug. 4 third or more driving while intoxicated charge, according to Monday’s 8th Judicial District Court docket.
Clark was reportedly stopped Aug. 4 for a traffic violation and alcohol was smelled on him. He allegedly admitted to consuming eight beers. He showed six clues of intoxication during horizontal gaze nystagmus testing and refused to perform standard field sobriety tests. A records check reportedly showed Clark to have three prior DWI arrests, resulting in the DWI charge being enhanced to a felony, sheriff’s deputies alleged in Clark’s August arrest reports.
Jail reports show Clark was arrested in 2010 on a third or more DWI charge and sentenced to one year in a substance abuse felony punishment facility for third or more DWI in 2013.
Clark was indicted during the Oct. 3 grand jury session for the August 2019 third or more DWI offense, according to court reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Brantley took Clark into custody at at 11:53 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, at the courthouse on a DWI, third or more offense charge, according to arrest and jail reports. He has been sentenced to serve three years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice on the charge, according to jail reports.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Trying To Conceal Methamphetamine
A 25-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s unruly behavior and attempt to conceal what was believed to be a controlled substance from police resulted in his arrest on two felony charges and one misdemeanor charge, officers alleged in arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Adrian Pruitt reported stopping Brandon Ray Timmons around 2 p.m. on Maxwell Street at Ardis Street. Pruitt alleged Timmons became argumentative.
When he attempted to pat Timmons down, Pruitt alleged in arrest reports, he noticed Timmons was clenching a plastic bag in on hand. Timmons failed to comply after being ordered several times to release the bag and began to physically resist the officer, according to Pruitt. Thus, the officer “used the least amount of force necessary” and took the man “to the ground.”
Pruitt reported being able to gain control of the man and put him into handcuffs despite the fact that Timmons continued to resist Pruitt’s efforts. Timmons allegedly threw as he was being placed into custody.
Other officers arrived. Timmons was placed into a patrol vehicle and the bag was recovered. The bag allegedly contained suspected methamphetamine. Timmons was transported to jail, where the suspected meth weighed 1.1 gram.
Timmons was booked for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, tampering with physical evidence and for resisting arrest, search or transport. He remained in the county jail Tuesday morning, Nov. 26, in lieu of $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge, $10,000 bond on the tampering with evidence charge and $2,000 bond on the resisting arrest charge.
According to jail reports, Monday marked the second time this month and seventh time this year Timmons has been booked into the county jail. Timmons was arrested Nov. 5 for not taking care of a June 28 public intoxication charge. Timmons was also arrested Jan. 19 on a possession of marijuana charge and theft warrant; June 17 and Aug. 2 for failure to maintain financial responsibility and no driver’s license warrants; and Sept. 2 for theft and criminal trespass charges and a theft warrant, according to jail reports.
Tira News for Nov. 25, 2019
By Jan Vaughn
The Tira City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, for the regular quarterly meeting and to decorate the Community Center for the holidays. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Tira Volunteer Fire Department was recognized for their service to the county during the Hopkins County Commissioners Court meeting on Monday, Nov. 25. We appreciate our volunteer firefighters.
North Hopkins Elementary students collected canned foods for the Tira Food Pantry. Students Braylon Rhudy, Yariel Mendez, Brayden Buchanan, Jairo Torres, Cale Minick and Mason Icenhower helped load the 873 items into Sherry Smiddy’s vehicle. Cooper Adams helped Sherry unload the items at the Tira Community Center on Friday. We appreciate Principal Mrs. Kodi Wright and her students and staff contributing to this cause.
Our great-granddaughter, Dixie, was baptized at Journey Community Church in Lumberton, near Beaumont on Sunday. Our daughter and granddaughter, Tiffany and Jaidyn, came in from Malvern, Arkansas on Friday night and went with Chip and me to Beaumont on Saturday. We took Dixie and Jaidyn to see Frozen 2 that evening and we enjoyed a meal at Steak-n-Shake afterward. We met Dixie and several family members at the church on Sunday, and then we gathered with them at Mi Pueblo’s for lunch, before returning to Tira. Landon, Laiken, and the boys had planned to go, too, but Rylan was not feeling well on Friday and Saturday.
Jaidyn spent Sunday night with her friends, Maygan and Bella, and then she and Tiffany left on Monday afternoon.
The Tira Community Christmas Party is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. at the Community Center. Brisket will be provided. Please bring a side dish and/or dessert and come enjoy a time of visiting with your neighbors. Santa will be stopping by to visit with the kids! Also, we will be collecting canned goods for the Tira Food Pantry.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Tira VFD Recognized For 44 Years Of Service To Hopkins County Community
Hopkins County Commissioner Court and Fire Chief Andy Endsley Monday recognized Tira Volunteer Fire Department for 44 years of service to the community.
“This is ongoing as part of the 20th year celebration of Hopkins County Fire Department to recognize each one of the volunteer fire departments. We all work hand in hand together wither with Hopkins County Fire Department. Tira is one of those now 11 departments within Hopkins County,” said HCFD Chief Andy Endsley.
“I know these guys. I see John and Shawn pretty regularly at the courthouse doing everything that they do. The big thing that you do is out there in the community. I appreciate, we appreciate your service,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said during Monday’s regular commissioners court session.
Tira Volunteer Fire Department began in 1975 with Mayor Tom Clifton as the first fire chief and firefighter. Other members included firemen Herm Weir, Coy Vicars and Ernest Shaw.
Tira VFD’s first known fire apparatus was a 6-wheel white Army truck, issued by the Texas Forestry Service, which also furnished the tank and pump. In 1980, the Army truck was replaced by a 1979 Dodge one-ton truck, which was housed in the utility bay of the Tira Community Center. The one-ton truck was later remodeled to serve as a grass truck and is still being used today.
Tira VFD Chief Richard Bearden later purchased a 2002 Dodge 4-wheel drive. The members recognized a need for a Rough Terrain Vehicle, which was purchased while Malcom Joslin was chief. John Martin, who currently serves as chief, equipped the apparatus for fighting small fires.
Growth demanded addition to the station, which was enlarged to a three-bay facility. The first county attack truck, a 1985 GMC model donated by Sulphur Bluff Volunteer Fire Department, was restored, put back into service and continues to meet the needs of the community today.
In 2015, the Tira City Council named John Martin fire chief. In July 2018, the department purchased a 1986 Pierce Arrow Engine.
Endsley noted the purchase of the Pierce is expected to help lower the ISO rating for property within 5 miles of the station. County fire officials have been working with ISO officials and are working to schedule another visit with the county’s ISO representative to further that process.
“When they bought this engine, pretty much these two gentlemen right here [Chief Martin and Assistant Chief Shawn Martin], you had a couple of other ones in there, but they recruited some guys to come in from the Tira community. It’s much noted by the court. We’re very proud of that,” Endsley said.
Today, the Tira Volunteer Fire Department has 10 members who continue to serve and protect the Tira community and Hopkins County using fire apparatus. Current members include Tira VFD Chief John Earl Martin, Assistant Chief Shawn Martin, Captain Tony Macy and firefighters Curtis Rivera-Fulgham, Mike Ruth, David Ruth, Robert Hanson, Jonathan Savage, Cooper Adams and Alan Joslin.
“Tira is one of those departments you know is going to be there. Chief John Earl, he’ll come by and he visits with me quite a bit, so we have a very good personal relationship on top of that. I’d just like to extend my personal gratitude for all Tira does for Hopkins County,” Endsley said.
“We’ve got some good people, from your average citizen to an airplane pilot, and they know what they’re doing. We train them every Sunday down there at the station. We try to make sure we’ve got enough stuff to get the job done, whatever it takes. If anybody needs help, no matter if it’s on the other side of the county, we’ll go. All they’ve got to do is say the word and we’re on the way. We do the best we can to protect any and everybody,” Tira VFD Chief Martin said.
Endsley noted that John Earl Martin is just a year shy of 50 years service as a volunteer firefighter with various departments in Hopkins County.
“That’s phenomenal in itself, that many years of commitment to the Hopkins County community. His commitment and the dedication we appreciate very, very much,” Endsley said.
“Hopkins County Commissioners Court urges all citizens to applaud the outstanding efforts of the Tira Volunteer Fire Department, to recognize the dedication in their perseverance to provide protection for each citizen and their property and, offer heartfelt appreciation for the servanthood of each one,” Newsom read from a framed proclamation, presented to the VFD members at Monday’s meeting.
County Firefighters Battle A Dozen Grass, Pasture Fires Over Nov. 23-24 Weekend
Fire Chief Urges Use Of Safety Precautions Before, During Outdoor Burning
County firefighters spent several hours on both Saturday and Sunday responding to a dozen grass and hay pasture fires most in the southern end of Hopkins County. Several of the fires reportedly originated from blazes in a burn barrels or other controlled burns, according to fire reports.
The situation was hampered by muddy ground and dead grass and other vegetation. More than one brush truck has become struck in the soft soil while responding to grass and hay meadow fires, which require additional resources, including precinct crews with equipment such as backhoes, to fully extinguish and prevent continued spread of the fire.
Weekend calls included:
Saturday, Nov. 23
- Yard fire reported on FM 2560 at 12:01 pm.;
- Grass fire reported on FM 1567 at County Road 2328 at 1:57 p.m.; and
- Grass fire reported on County Road 2174 at 2:41 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24
- Hay meadow fire reported on County Road 2310 at 12:08 p.m.;
- Grass fire reported on County Road 2381 at 12:25 p.m.;
- Grass fires reported from 12:25 p.m. to 12:35 p.m. in at least four different location on FM 1567, including at FM 2297, County Road 1180 and State Highway 154;
- Grass fire on County Road 3511 at 1:09 p.m;
- Pasture fire with hay bales involved reported on County Road 2174 at 2:57 p.m.; and
- Hay pasture fire on State Highway 19 south at 4:10 p.m.
Outdoor Fire Safety Reminders
Thus, Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley urges those considering conducting outdoor burns to take a few safety precautions to prevent spread of fire beyond the intended area.
Endsley asks that any who burn make sure there is a water supply sufficient to quickly extinguish the fire. He noted that while the rain made the soil moist, the vegetation on top is still dry and dead, a ready source to feed the blaze quickly across a larger area than intended. Even having several 5-gallon and 10-gallon buckets filled with water at the ready in case a fire needs to be doused quickly can be helpful, the fire chief noted.
Fires should not be conducted in a garage or covered area, even if in a barrel or grill, to prevent a spark from blowing onto and burning of a structure, vehicle or other property. Place burn barrels, brush fire and grills away from buildings and covering.
Wind speeds should also be considered before a fire is sparked, the county fire marshal reminds. If there is any appreciable wind detected, it’s better to refrain from burning, as such conditions often lead to rapid spread of grass, wild land and hay meadow fires and can even burn to nearby equipment, vehicles and structures.
When burning in a barrel, placing a grill or grate over it can help temp down fires and reduce the number of sparks blowing out and igniting elsewhere. If burning on the ground, do so in a fire ring or dig a fire break around it, providing an area without vegetation, to keep any fire that might start from spreading, the county fire marshal’s office recommends.
HCFD Chief Andy Endsley asks planning to conduct a large fire are asked to contact the county fire department at 903-439-6217; the on-duty staff can contact the volunteer department for the area to notify them of the blaze, and for really large scale fires, potentially have them stand by with resources as a precaution.
“A lot will offer this for just a donation,” Endsley said.
Those conducting open burns may also contact Hopkins County sheriff’s office dispatchers to notify them prior to burning, so they’ll have a record of That also provides a record of it in case it’s reported by someone else; the communications operators can contact the responsible person to verify all is still within control without having to tie up firefighters, who may be needed on another call.
