A&M-Commerce Launches Pride Promise PLUS Tuition Assistance Program
COMMERCE, TX—A&M-Commerce recently launched Pride Promise PLUS, a tuition assistance program intended to help remove financial barriers and make a college education accessible to all students. The program pays tuition that is not covered by other forms of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, exemptions, benefits and waivers.
Pride Promise PLUS is open to freshmen and transfer students with a 3.0 or greater GPA and includes a $100 per year book voucher. A&M-Commerce also offers the Pride Promise program for students with a 2.5 or greater GPA. Pride Promise does not include a yearly book voucher.
Dr. Lee Young, interim vice president of enrollment, explained, “The Pride Promise/Pride Promise PLUS programs address the college affordability challenge and enable students to enjoy an exciting, challenging and engaging collegiate experience instead of worrying about tuition bills.” He added that many of our potential students are self-disclosed first-generation and low-income, and they need financial support in order to change their dreams of a college education into reality.
According to Dr. Mark Rudin, president of A&M-Commerce, the Pride Promise programs are one way that A&M-Commerce is working to keep higher education affordable and accessible. “These tuition assistance programs open the door for top-notch scholars to access a quality education,” Rudin stated. “Financial obstacles should not block ambitious students from achieving their goals.”
Students have responded favorably to the program. “I think the Pride Promise PLUS program is a great idea,” stated La’Shae Miller, junior social work major. “Full tuition coverage and a $100 book voucher will make A&M-Commerce an even better value.”
Recipients are eligible for Pride Promise or Pride Promise PLUS for up to eight semesters, not including summer sessions. To find out more, call the Financial Aid Department at 903.886.5096, email [email protected] or visit the Pride Promise website.
TxDOT to Begins Upgrade on Two State Highways in Sulphur Springs
PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that mill and inlay work to upgrade portions of two state highways in Sulphur Springs, Texas, is slated to begin the week of Feb. 18.
Contractor RK Hall, Paris, Texas, was granted 107 working days, weather permitting, to complete this project valued at more than $5.2 million. The target date for completion of this work is late June 2019, officials said.
The contractor will perform mill and inlay work on State Highway 19 from the north city limits of Sulphur Springs south- and westward to BU 67, and on State Highway 154 from its intersection with Loop 301 southward to State Highway 11.
The mill and inlay work on SH 154 will include full-depth concrete repairs at the north and south approaches of the Broadway Street overpass at I-30. Mill and inlay work removes the existing surface from a roadway and recycles it for use as a new pavement surface on the same roadway, officials noted.
Motorists who travel regularly in these areas are asked to pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones; especially while this project is underway. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Monday Commissioners Court: Congressman Honors County Judge; Sulphur Bluff Volunteer Fire Department Honored by County
Before a packed Hopkins County Commissioners’ Courtroom Monday morning, Robbin Bass, Deputy District Director for Congressman John Ratcliff, presented County Judge Robert Newsom a flag that was flown over the U. S. Capital Building in Newsom’s honor. Commissioners also issued a proclamation honoring the Sulphur Bluff Fire Department for past and current service to the county.
In honoring Judge Newsom, Bass stated that the county judge was honored for his service to the county and to many other government entities. A number of county, city, and civic leaders were present for the presentation. Newsom was surprised by the presentation of flag and certificate.
Sulphur Bluff Volunteer Fire Department has a heritage of providing fire protection in Hopkins County following a disastrous fire at the Sulphur Bluff School gym. The fire prompted 14 citizens in 1974 to organize the department. Some of those citizens and/or family members continue to serve a volunteers for the department. The proclamation reads:
P r o c l a m a t i o n
WHEREAS, Following the April 1974 disastrous fire of the Sulphur Bluff School gym, fourteen citizens were motivated to provide fire protection for Hopkins County – James “PeeWee” Bassham, J.T. “Putt” Bassham, Mike Bassham, Billy Chester, Gene Beale, Henry Allen Davis, Darrell Deaton, Bert Dorner, George Dorner, Tommy Holcomb, Joe Don Joslin, Don Patterson, T.L. Sanderson, James Waller; and
WHEREAS, T.L. Sanderson supported these efforts by lending a 1968 Chevy milk truck to serve in hauling water to the site where volunteers operated with buckets and water-soaked feed sacks; and
WHEREAS, The Sulphur Bluff Volunteer Fire Department was founded in late 1975 as one of the first Volunteer Fire Departments to serve Hopkins County; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, with revenue sharing money and the assembly of units in Wichita Falls, Sulphur Bluff received the first of five fire trucks purchased as 1976 one-ton chassis by Hopkins County through Price Ford Sales of Sulphur Springs.
WHEREAS, In their efforts to generate revenue toward the purchase of land and construction of the Sulphur Bluff Volunteer Fire Department facility, the volunteer firemen hauled a 1976 half-ton pickup truck to area events throughout northeast Texas to sell tickets.
WHEREAS, Today, the Sulphur Bluff Volunteer Fire Department has thirteen members supporting six fire apparatus continuing to serve and protect the Sulphur Bluff community and Hopkins County – Chris Bassham, James K. Bassham, Bert Dorner, Brian Dorner, Joey Dorner, Jimmy Dale Fite, Cam Hill, Micah Johnson, Janice Joslin, Joe Don Joslin, Don Patterson, Donnie Powers and Karen Powers.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hopkins County Commissioners Court urges all citizens of Hopkins County to celebrate the outstanding efforts of the firemen of the Sulphur Bluff Volunteer Fire Department, to recognize the dedication in their perseverance to provide protection for the citizens of Hopkins County and their property and, offer sincere appreciation for the servanthood of each one.
Local Man Arrested for Hindering Arrest of Wanted Felon
A Hopkins County Deputy was seeking the arrest of a wanted felon at an apartment building on Bill Bradford Road. When he knocked on the door, the occupant of the apartment, Creston leon Weatherall, 29, would not answer the door. After the deputy left the address, Weatherall’s girlfriend, the one wanted on the parole violation, exited the back door and started walking away from the residence. An unidentified tipster called the Sheriff’s Office.
Weatherall was arrested for Hindering Apprehension of a Wanted Felon. He is in Hopkins County Jail held on a $10,000 bond.
Arrest for Parole Violation Leads to Arrest for Possession of Meth
A Crime Stop tip led a Hopkins County Deputy to an address on North Davis Street where he found Maranda Louise Miller, 36, of Sulphur Springs, exiting a vehicle. She was wanted on a Parole Violation. Driving the vehicle was Jonathan Lee Farris. In the vehicle, the deputy found methamphetamine. Neither Miller nor Farris were aware of the meth according to their statements to the officer.
A search of the vehicle that revealed t he methamphetamine came after the deputy noted a glass pipe in the passenger seat of the vehicle. The pipe was the type used to smoke methamphetamine. Both individuals said all they had was “weed”.
Miller is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Parole Violation and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram.
Farris is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram.
Dinner Bell Menu For February 13, 2019
Dinner Bell February 13, 2019
Community Partner:
Hopkins/Rains County Farm Bureau
Menu:
Meatloaf (it is renowned)
Mashed Potatoes (well seasoned and buttery)
Bacon Infused Green Beans
Super Special Salad
Yeast Rolls and Butter
Strawberry Cake
Valentine Sugar Free Dessert
Dinner Bell served its first meal (meatloaf and mashed potatoes) on February 1, 2012. Come celebrate our birthday with us. Same time (11:45 a.m.). Same place (Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church). Hope you come to our birthday party. I promise a good meal and smiling faces to start our eighth year.
Wildcats Team Tennis Prepares for Spring Season
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said his team braved cold weather Friday (February 8) at a Paris tournament and got some key wins in preparation for the upcoming spring season.
Coach Martinez continues to try some lineup changes. For example, he matched #1 boys player Jonah Kirkpatrick with freshmen Jeauxleigh Cantu in mixed doubles and they did not lose until the semifinals, 7-5 to a Greenville duo. Carlos Sardinas-Lopez played in boys singles and lost in the finals, 6-2 to a Paris player.
The boys doubles competition turned into an all Sulphur Springs final. The team of Logan Schumacher and Aaron Lucas topped the team of Jordan Gonzales and Michael McCord, 6-4.
The Wildcats play next in a John Tyler tournament on February 22.
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees Meet Monday
Sulphur Springs School Board meets in a February regular session Monday, February 11, 2019, at 6 p.m. in the Library at Sulphur Springs High School.
I. CALL TO ORDER: Invocation Pledges led by High School CTE students
II. FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS: Announcement by the President whether a quorum is present, that the meeting had been duly called and that the notice of the meeting had been posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees conducted on Monday, January 14, 2019, beginning at 6:00 p.m., held in the Board Room of the Administration Building.
III. PUBLIC FORUM: Public participation is limited to the designated open forum portion of a meeting per policy BED(LOCAL). During the time, the board will Conduct public hearing on the 2017-2018 Texas Academic Performance Report. [Josh Williams]
IV. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS/INFORMATION ITEMS:
A. Required racial profiling report presented by Glynda Chester
B. Highlight of elementary and secondary programs presented by Kristin Monk and Josh Williams.
C. Present TASB Localized Manual Update
D. School Finance legislative update.
E. Information only – Head Start Director’s Report for January.
V. CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS: These items are considered to be routine by the board and will be enacted under one motion, unless a member of the board requests that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.
A. Consider approval of Tax Credits and Supplements for January 2019.
B. Consider approval of Delinquent Tax Collections for January 2019. (
C. Consider approval of Financial Statements and Bills Payable for January 2019.
VI. ACTION ITEMS
A. Consider approval of Notice to Call Trustee Election for Saturday, May 4, 2019.
B. Consider approval of Resolution 1-19 designating March 11-15, 2019, as Texas Public Schools Week in the Sulphur Springs Independent School District.
C. Discuss and consider approval of personnel changes approved by the Head Start Policy Council as listed in Policy Council minutes for January.
D. Discuss and consider approval of K-3 ELAR textbook adoption purchases.
E. Discuss and consider approval of Timeline for Accelerated Instruction waiver application to TEA.
VII. CTE ORGANIZATION PRESENTATIONS
VIII. PAUSE MEETING FOR CTE TOUR & MEAL
IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION: Executive Session will be held for the purpose of consideration of matters for which closed or executive sessions are authorized by Title 5, Chapter 551, Texas Government Code, Section (.072), (.074). A. Discuss and consider personnel to be employed, personnel to be reassigned, acknowledge and accept resignations of personnel, other personnel matters as recommended by the Superintendent. B. Discuss purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property.
X. RECONVENE FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ACTION RELATIVE TO ITEMS COVERED DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Wildcats 9-0 in District With One Game Remaining
The #4 ranked Wildcats’ basketball team remained unbeaten in district play with a 70-59 win at Royse City Friday night (February 8). The district champion and #1 district playoff seed Wildcats outscored Royse City over the first three quarters to take a 50-37 lead.
The Bulldogs managed to take only 2 points off the lead in the fourth quarter and the Wildcats had a solid win.
Sadaidriene Day Day Hall scored 20 points to lead the Wildcats.
Xavier Cork had 14 points and
Cameron Kahn scored 13 points.
Boo Wilkerson added 9 points. Grayson McClure scored 8 points. Jeremiah Roland scored 5 points. Lamodrick Johnson and Kai Taylor had 2 points apiece.
The Wildcats are 9-0 in district play and 23-8 for the season. The Wildcats complete district play Tuesday at Lindale at 7:30 p.m.
Soccer Results: Wildcats Win 4-0; Lady Cats Struggle in Second Half
Wildcats Soccer 4, Melissa 0
The Wildcats’ soccer team seems to be playing their best soccer of the season as district play approaches. In their final non-district game, the Wildcats controlled the ball and played with energy and confidence in a 4-0 win over Melissa on a chilly Friday night at Gerald Prim Stadium. Their defense was also rock solid. The Wildcats scored two goals in each half. Omar Hernandez opened the scoring with a goal at the 28:05 mark of the first half. Alejandro Diosdado made it 2-0 with a goal at 14:37. In the second half Diosdado scored again at 20:58 to make it 3-0. Aldredo Vargas make it 4-0 at 10:02 on a free kick into the net from quite an angle. The Wildcats season record is now 5-5-2. Over their last four matches they have won 3 and tied 1. The Wildcats open district play against Greenville at Gerald Prim Stadium Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
Melissa 6, Lady Cats Soccer 0
The Lady Cats’ soccer team hung with Melissa for the first half trailing only 1-0 at the break at Gerald Prim Stadium Friday night (February 8). The second half was a different story as the Lady Cardinals exploded for 5 goals to take a 6-0 win. Five of the goals were scored by Lucy Hurst. Peyton Wallace scored the other goal. Lady Cats goalkeeper McKenna Gammill kept the game from being a huge rout as she made 15 saves including one on a penalty kick. The Lady Cats had trouble possessing the ball and generating many offensive chances. The game was played in cold temperatures that started at 36 degrees with a chill factor of 30 degrees and got colder throughout the evening. The Lady Cats slip to 1-10-3 for the season. They open district play at Greenville Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
