PJC Regents Have Busy November Meeting
Recently elected PJC regents are sworn in for six-year terms Monday evening by PJC Executive Secretary Pam Bennett. Shown from left are Curtis Fendley, Ginna Bowman and Mark Buster.
The Paris Junior College Board of Regents swore in recently elected regents and elected officers for the next two years at their November meeting.
Regents Ginna Bowman, Mark Buster, and Curtis Fendley were sworn in to new six-year terms.
TheBoard then held an election for two-year officer terms and re-elected by acclamation Curtis Fendley as President, Dr. Clifton Wilkerson as Vice President, and Berdie Gibson as Secretary.
Regents also recognized Math Instructor and Division Chair Mallie Hood and Vice President of Student Access and Success Sheila Reece for their part in PJC receiving the Overall Exemplar Award at the 2018 Math Pathways Awards during the Texas Pathways Institute in Dallas. The award was jointly announced by the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC), the Texas Success Center (TSC), andthe Dana Center Mathematics Pathways (DCMP).
Hood came in for additional praise from PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin for her work on co-requisites. In the past, students took developmental math courses and later college-level math courses.
Studies have shown that taking the two at the same time as co-requisites increases student mastery of math concepts. But scheduling both types of courses at the same time across three locations requires more work. Hood has performed the additional work well, according to Dr. Anglin.
In other business, the Board of Regents:
•Received a financial report from Controller Keitha Carlton with an update that the 2017-2018 audit is nearing completion and will be presented at the January meeting.
•Approved a resolution required by TexPool formally authorizing the college’s participation in their investment pool.
•Accepted a new electricity contract with NRG/Reliant from 2022 to 2029 for a delivered price of 3.898 cents per kilowatt hour. Currently PJC pays a little more than four cents and the new contract is expected to save the college about$35,000 per year when it goes into effect.
•Received an update on dual credit, showing that from 2014, dual credit students have doubled and now account for 35.22 percent of total enrollment at PJC.
• Heard a report from Gibson and Louise Taylor on what they had learned at the recent annual meeting of the Association of Community College Trustees.
• Learned as part of the President’s Report of a retirement celebration for Sharon Wood and Beverly Matthews to be held from 2 to 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14 in the Student Center Ballroom.
• Accepted the re-assignment of Radiology Technology Instructor Heather Unruh as Radiology Technology Instructor / Program Coordinator effective Nov. 1, and the employment of Jennifer Johnston as Small Business Development Center Director, effective Dec. 3.
• Authorized PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin to move forward with a purchase of property.
Hearts of Life Presents Sophie for Adoption; Photos With Santa December 8
Sophie is still searching for a family to call her own! Sophie is approximately 7 years old. She is great with children but can be a little picky when choosing other 4-legged friends. She is a very active girl and would make an excellent running companion!
Her adoption fee is $100.00 which includes all previous vetting, shots, spay and rabies. Please contact Hearts of Life Animal Rescue to meet this sweet girl! Call 903-439-5019, email[email protected], www.facebook.com/heartsoflife or find us on Petfinder.com!
Hearts of Life will also be at Petsense Saturday December 8th from 10am-4pm for Pet Photos with Santa!Attachments area
Chamber Connection November 29, 2018
The Sulphur Springs Hopkins County EDC andthe Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce are hosting their annual Economic Outlook Conference at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center on Wednesday, December 5th from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are so excited to welcome Mr.Richard Froeschle, current Labor Market Economist, as our keynote speaker at the 2018 Economic Outlook Conference. Mr. Froeschle will present Hopkins County the economic outlook for Northeast Texas for 2019. Sponsorships of the conference and tickets are available. Lunch will be provided. For further information,please call the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515.
Here’s another HUGE announcement from the Chamber! Our Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce has joined in with the Longview Chamber to offer small businesses health insurance through United Healthcare. It is called HealthyVIEW and is only offered to small businesses, 2-50 employees, who are members of our Chamber. This is a huge milestone for our Chamber to offer, and an extremely needed benefit for many. For additional information, contact Lezley Brown at the Chamber, (903) 885-6515. We are thrilled to be able to offer this invaluable asset to our Chamber members!
The Chamber is hiring!
Are you a person who thrives in a hardworking, fast-pace, energetic,and fun working environment? The Chamber may be looking for you! We are hiring a full-time person with exceptional customer service skills, out-of-the-box brainstorming abilities, a good understanding of social media, and event planning interest. Knowledge and execution of email, Microsoft Word, and Excel are required. Quickbooks knowledge is preferred. If you are interested in applying at the Chamber, please email your resume, cover letter, salary requirements, and references to Lezley Brown at [email protected].
Donation opportunity for students at A&M-Commerce
Cleaning out your closet over the holidays? Consider donating your gently worn business casual or professional clothes to the Lion Wardrobe, a program sponsored by CareerDevelopment at Texas A&M University – Commerce. Donations are used to help students look the part for interviews, presentations, conferences, or other professional events and set that very important first impression with employers. You can drop them off at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, 300 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs, Monday –Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, contact Bethany Ferrall at 903-468-3212.
Christmas Market coming to Main Street
The Christmas Market on Main Street will be held on December 1st from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. There will be 22 vendors on the street with a variety of items. This is a perfect opportunity to get some Christmas Shopping done and be able to enjoy main street by stopping in the shops and walking across the street from place to place. For more information about the market feel free to call Marlene’s Sass & Class 903-335-8918.
Heritage Park will host Christmas in the Park on Saturday, December 1st
The Hopkins County Historical Society presents Christmas in the Park on Saturday,December 1st, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $3.00, and children under seven are free. Visit with Santa, see the light displays, listen to live music,enjoy hot cocoa, old-fashioned cider, coffee and cookies, and begin your Christmas shopping in the Country Store.
North East Texas Choral Society present Starry Night
North East Texas Choral Society presents Starry Nighton December 1st at 7 p.m. and on December 2nd at 2 p.m.in the SSHS Auditorium in Sulphur Springs. Tickets are $15for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. You may purchase tickets online at www.singerscount.org.
Sulphur Springs Youth Orchestra hosts winter concert
The Sulphur Springs Youth Orchestra is hosting a free concert called A Winter Classical on Thursday, December 6th, at Shannon Oaks Church in Sulphur Springs. For additional information, call (903)261-7907 or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SSY017/.
CASA hosts their annual Cookie Walk
CASA is hosting their annual Cookie Walk on Friday, December 7th, from 9 a.m. to noon at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center. Cookies are sold for $5.00 a pound. Go by there and load up on Christmas cookies while supporting our local CASA!
Lion’s Club will host the 11th Annual Christmas Parade on Friday, December 7th
The Lion’s Club is hosting the 11th Annual Christmas Parade Friday, December 7th at 7 p.m. The parade begins at Buford Park and goes East on Connally Street to the square, turns left onto Church Street,and left on Houston Street to end in the Gerald Prim Stadium parking lot. You may pick up registration forms and rules at the Chamber of Commerce. The entry fee is one toy, to be donated to the Blue Santa Program. Charitable cash donations also accepted, and checks should be made payable to the Sulphur Springs Lions Club. Registration forms must be received by noon on Tuesday, December 4.
Ribbon Cuttings:
Love’s Travel Stop hosted their grand opening
Love’s Travel Stop hosted their ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, November 27th at noon. Love’s Travel Stop is open and ready for business just off Interstate 30 at Hillcrest in Sulphur Springs.
Texans Can Prevent the Spread of Oak Wilt Disease
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Oak wilt is one of the most destructive tree diseases in the United States, and it has been known to kill oak trees in Central Texas at epidemic proportions. Texas A&M Forest Service urges Texans, hunters in particular, to take preventative measures and be cautious when collecting and purchasing firewood at this time of year to stop the spread of oak wilt.
“It is critical to take the responsibility of acquiring, managing, and storing firewood at your residence seriously,” said Jim Houser, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Forest Health Coordinator. “Hunters at ranches need to leave the wood there. Do not take it back home and be the one to start a new oak wilt infection center.”
Transporting and storing diseased wood spreads devastating oak wilt fungus spores to previously uninfected neighborhoods. Hunters should be careful not to transport wood off of ranch land, especially west of IH 35.
By following these preventative steps, citizens can stop the spread of oak wilt fungus:
- Select well-seasoned firewood. Well-seasoned wood is cut before the summer and is typically dry with loose bark and cracked ends. Avoid oak wood that appears unseasoned, which may have tight bark and cut ends which show no cracks or signs of aging. The extreme heat and dry conditions of a full Texas summer effectively destroy the fungus in cut firewood.
- Safely store unknown sources of firewood under plastic. If oak wood comes from an unknown source and it is not well seasoned, cover the woodpile with a clear piece of plastic. Burying the edges of the plastic will prevent the entry or exit of insects that might have been attracted to diseased wood and fungal mats.
- Destroy diseased red oaks. A knowledgeable arborist or forester should diagnose red oaks (i.e., Texas red, blackjack or shumard oak) that die rapidly (2-3 weeks) or in groups (2 or more trees over several years) for oak wilt. Trees suspected to have died recently from oak wilt should be destroyed by burning, burying or chipping. The heat of a fire destroys the fungus and the smoke emitted poses no threat to healthy trees. When planning to do any outdoor burning, be sure to check with local officials to see if an outdoor burning ban is in place for your county and take care not to burn on windy days with low humidity.
- Avoid wounding oaks during vulnerable seasons. The general recommendation is to avoid injuries to oaks from February through June. The best times to prune oaks are during the heat of the summer (minimal spore production) or the cold of winter (minimal insect activity).
- Paint all oak wounds including pruning cuts. Throughout the year, immediately apply a thin coat of latex or pruning paint to all fresh wounds and other injuries that expose the inner bark or sapwood of oaks. This prevents contaminated sap beetles from infecting the wound with oak wilt spores.
Oak firewood is an important commodity to Texans, whether it’s used for firing up the barbecue pit or warming up the home on a cold winter’s day. By selecting well-seasoned, disease-free firewood and by following the disease prevention guidelines, Texans are taking the correct steps to prevent a new oak wilt disease outbreak in their neighborhood.
Please visit www.texasoakwilt.org and www.dontmovefirewood.org for more information on this devastating tree disease.
Temple’s Trailers Sales Inc. Celebrates 50 Years in Business
Established on December 1, 1968, Temples Trailer Sales Inc. observed the 50th anniversary of the family-owned business by inviting friends, customers, farmers and ranchers, Chamber of Commerce and local media for a ribbon-cutting and lunch in their shop bay. Following the death of her husband Mike six years ago, Judy Temples with her son Larry J. and daughters Lana and Lacy are continuing the successful family business. They welcomed and served their guests to a BBQ sandwich meal catered by Big Smith’s BBQ and Catfish during the celebration held at noon on Wednesday November 28, 2018 at 3964 Texas Highway 154 South of Sulphur Springs.
Temples Trailer Sales website states that each TEM-TRAIL is hand crafted in our shop in Sulphur Springs, TX with diligence and care. Our trailers are sold to retailers all across the United States, and we strongly believe you won’t find a better built product. From our 8′ enclosed trailers to our 40′ gooseneck trailers, we have something for you. Call us today or stop by for a visit. We’d love to show you around.
We specialize in building trailers to fit your custom needs. Whether you need a trailer for landscaping, hauling cattle, transporting equipment, or working an oil rig, our team will sit down with you to build a trailer you can be proud of. Choose your style, size, color, and add ons and we guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Heavy Duty Trailers
Bumper Trailers
Oil Field Trailers
Gooseneck Trailers
Over-width Agricultural Trailers
Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, December 7th 2018
Hangup your Tinsel, hangup your Lights, we wanna see your tree shine bright!!!
Christmas Tree Decoration Contest/Fundraiser presented by Hopkins County Ems
Christmas Tree Decorating Rules:
- Decorate your Christmas tree using any color, theme and decorations, Christmas lights encouraged! There will be a business category as well as an individual category.
- Tree height can be 4ft-8ft tall and must be artificial. Any color you prefer.
- Decorations, Christmas tree and stand need to be provided by the individual or team and you must provide your own extension cord. Power provided on the square.
- Deadline for entry forms will be Wednesday, December 5th at 5pm. Entry forms can be picked up and turned in at the Hopkins County EMS Central Station (beside the hospital). Entry forms can be delivered personally if needed.
- Tree can be brought to the square pre-decorated or can be decorated on the square Friday, December 7Th starting at 10:00am but must be completed and ready to be judged by 4:30pm. Each tree will have a number provided to you the day of judging.
- All trees will be displayed to the public for judging. Judging opens up at 5:00pm and ends at 8:30pm. There will be trophies for first place, second place and third place.
- Tickets will be available the night of the judging. $1.00 buys one vote and all proceeds will be donated to the Safe-T Crisis Center to be donated to a family in need for the holidays.
- All trees need to be removed the night after the judging. Also, if you would like your tree to be donated to a family in need within the community let us know at the time of your entry for arrangements to be made for delivery.
- Be creative, have fun and show your Christmas spirit!
Click here for the official entry form. Any questions, please contact Tabitha Vaught or Heather Gaston
for the official entry form. Any questions, please contact Tabitha Vaught or Heather Gaston
Any questions, please contact Tabitha Vaught or Heather Gaston
[email protected] 903-446-8052
[email protected] 903-440-2883
Any questions, please contact Tabitha Vaught or Heather Gaston
[email protected] 903-446-8052
[email protected] 903-440-2883
Lady Cats Win Following Holiday Break; Prepare for Winnsboro Hoopfest
Perhaps coaches never know what to expect as a team plays their first basketball game after the Thanksgiving break. Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell held an open gym session for her team Saturday (November 24) but she said there was no extra running involved.
Monday’s practice was a hard one according to Coach Tisdell. She said the Lady Cats looked like they were about to die. Coach Tisdell told them they would thank her for the hard practice Tuesday night during the game with Terrell. She said things worked out well and the Lady Cats showed up ready to play.
Coach Tisdell said the Lady Cats did a great job of controlling the tempo. They led 40-11 at the half. She said the Lady Cats could not have done a better job on defense. The Lady Cats were led in scoring by Autumn Tanton with 19 points, Sadavia Porter with 13 points and Danielle Godbolt with 11 points. Coach Tisdell said Tanton did a heck of a job offensive rebounding and getting put backs. She added Tanton was getting hammered inside and wasn’t getting many calls. Coach Tisdell said Porter didn’t hit her usual shots but said she did a good job finding her teammates who then scored. She called Godbolt one of her hardest working kids. Coach Tisdell said Danielle does what she asks her to and always seems to be where she is supposed to be. She said her starting five came out hard and ready to go and built a lead. That allowed her to play all ten of her available varsity players.
The Lady Cats’ second team had a tough fourth quarter against Terrell and the Lady Tigers got to within 12 points with a minute and a half to go. Coach Tisdell said she brought her starters back to calm things down after the game got a little out of hand. It worked as the starters built the lead back up to 20 points before a final Terrell three point basket cut the final margin to 17. The final score was 63-46.
The Lady Cats will be playing two games Thursday in the Winnsboro Hoopfest. Coach Tisdell is using the fact that Winnsboro scheduled the Lady Cats to play them first in the tournament as motivation. She hopes her Lady Cats will take the game as seriously as she does. The Lady Cats play Winnsboro at 9:20 a.m. Thursday in the Winnsboro High School Gym. The Lady Cats also play Emory Rains Thursday at 2:40 p.m. in the Winnsboro Middle School Gym.
Saltillo Lions and Lady Lions Defeat Yantis Tuesday
The Saltillo Lions and Lady Lions both picked up a win against Yantis Tuesday (November 27). The Lions topped the Owls, 67-47 and improved their season record to 3-2. Saltillo led 24-6 after the first quarter. They were up 37-20 at the half and 57-36 after three quarters. Chris Boekhorst led the way with 24 points for the Lions. Matthew Gurley scored 22 points. Ben Moore added 6 points. Levi Hoover scored 4 points. Andrew Redburn and Stephen Marroquin has 3 points apiece. Saltillo plays next against Southwest Christian in a Lipan tournament Thursday afternoon.
The Lady Lions defeated Yantis, 58-33. The Lady Lions got off to a good start leading 16-5 after one quarter. They were up 24-12 at the half and 46-21 after three quarters. Chandler Bain had a big game for the Lady Lions with 25 points. Maddy Smith and Jocelyn Ochoa had 7 points each. Anna Reeder got 6 points. Christy Marquez scored 4 points. Lorena Castro, Paisley Kastner and Kristina Wade had 3 points apiece. The Lady Lions are now 5-6 for the season. Lady Lions Coach Colton Smith said he thought the Lady Lions played with great intensity adding he was happy with the effort they showed in the game. The Lady Lions play Yantis again Thursday in a Dodd City tournament.
74 Indictments Handed Up by Grand Jury November 27, 2018
Seventy-four (74) indictments were handed up by a Hopkins County Grand Jury Tuesday, November 27, 2018. There were a variety of charges ranging from solicitation of a minor to aggravated assault, burglary, and tampering with government records. Several Possession of a Controlled Substance indictments are also in the list. Not all those indicted have been arrested but among those who have:
LettieDelores Mosqueda-Jasso was indicted on 15 counts of Tamper with Government Record Defraud/Harm. Mosqueda-Jasso, 32, of Sulphur Bluff, was located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, after she fled Hopkins County when a regular internal audit in the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 records noted discrepancies. Mosqueda-Jasso, a former part-time clerkin the Hopkins County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Office, was found hiding under a stairwell at an apartment complex. She was wanted on warrants in Hopkins County for the discrepancies.
Joshua Ladearl Liesey was indicted for Aggravated Assault Family Violence with Deadly Weapon. In November of this year, Sulphur Springs Police responded to an address on Arbala Road regarding a family disturbance. The victim, a family member, told officers that Leisey, 32, had threatened to kill her and displayed a handgun during the assault. Leisey was found walking on the roadway south of the location and detained him.
Joshua Terry Ford was indicted for Aggravated Assault Date/Family/House with Weapon.
David Bradley McCord, 48, of Sulphur Springs, was indicted for Assault Family Violence/House Member Impede Breath/Circulation. A disturbance at a local hotel was more than a verbal altercation that Sulphur Springs Police Officers observed when they first arrived at the room. In speaking with all the individuals involved, it was found that an assault involving a dating relationship had occurred.
Jacob Allan Piper was indicted for Sexual Perform Child Employ Induce/Authorize.
Jeremiah Douglas Carnes was indicted for Online Solicitation of a Minor.
Summer Leigh Ann Wright was indicted for Abandon Endanger Child Criminal Negligence. Child Protective Services began an investigation into Pandora Sue Ewalt, 53, of Sulphur Springs and her daughter Summer Wright for drug use around a child. Ewalt is the grandmother and Wright is the mother of the child. During the investigation both the grandmother and the mother along with the 11-month old child tested positive for methamphetamine. Child Protective Services contacted the Special Crimes Unit and SCU began an investigation. SCU obtained warrants for the arrest of both Ewalt and Wright.
Pandora Sue Ewalt was indicted for Abandon Endanger Child Criminal Negligence. (See above)
Ceazar A. Garcia-Hernandez was indicted for Aggravated Robbery.
Robert Michael Vaughn was indicted on one count of Aggravated Perjury and one count of Forgery Government/National Instrument/Money/Security.
Michael Joe McPherson was indicted for Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More.
Curtis Lee Reynolds was indicted for Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More. A Sulphur Springs Police Officer saw Reynolds, 56, of Sulphur Springs, almost strike an officer with emergency lights activated. When Reynolds narrowly missed the officer, the officer that observed the incident activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop Reynolds. Reynolds refused to stop but did finally stop at E-Z Mart on Main Street. When the officer questioned, Reynolds spoke with slurred speech, had bloodshot eyes and was unsteady on his feet when he exited the vehicle.
Brian James Chism was indicted for Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More.
Luis Jorge Leyva was indicted for Money Laundering more than $30,000 but less than $150,000.
Miklo Vargas was indicted for Engage in Organized Criminal Activity.
Irving Vazquez-Ramirez was indicted for Engage in Organized Criminal Activity.
Jose Manuel Gallegos was indicted for Engage in Organized Criminal Activity.
Alberto Lovotes Escobedo was indicted for Engage in Organized Criminal Activity.
Conner James Bradley was indicted on two counts of Burglary of a Building. Numerous items were taken from a residence off Highway 11W in a burglary Monday. Conner James Bradley, 21, of Hopkins County , was arrested in Wood County for the burglary. All items were recovered. Hopkins County Criminal Investigators Corley Weatherford and Dennis Findley along with Bo Fox, Southwest Cattle Raisers’ Special Ranger began an investigation that led to a man that had been in the area a few days before. The investigators and the Special Ranger recovered the stolen items and arrested Bradley within a few hours after the investigation began. Bradley, who lives part of the year in Tennessee, is also wanted in there on similar charges. The investigation will continue. Investigators believe there may be another individual involved in the burglary.
Alejandro Castro Rodriguez was indicted for Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear.
Kerry Olin Kirkpatrick was indicted for Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear.
Mistie Michelle Watson was indicted for Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear.
Jalen Ryan Crockett was indicted for Deadly Conduct Discharge Firearm.
Carolyn Jean Noble was indicted for Manufacture Delivery Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram and for Possession Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram.
Casey Randall Griffith was indicted for one count of Manufacture Delivery Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 200-grams and one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 200-grams.
Michael Gene Hadaway was indicted for Manufacture Delivery Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Dewayne Laverdo Hamilton was indicted for Manufacture Delivery Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams.
Jennifer Ann Seely was indicted for Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone and for Prohibitive Substance/Item in Correctional Facility.
Emerald Leah Trotta was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams and for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
Steve Sterling Fouse was indicted for Manufacture Deliver Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone.
Donald Arthur Adkins was indicted for Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
Oscar Gabriel Gonzalez was indicted for Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
