Saltillo Community Homecoming
The Saltillo Community Homecoming is scheduled Sunday, Oct. 14, in the Saltillo ISD cafetorium, 150 County Road 3534 in Saltillo. The event will kick off with coffee and socializing beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interested individuals will have an opportunity to meet, visit and renew acquaintances during this time.
Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. Barbecue, beans, bread, coffee and tea will be furnished. Those attending are asked to bring a salad, vegetable or dessert dish to complete the meal. A program and business meeting will follow starting at 1:15 p.m.
There will be a special guest appearance by the HayStack Choir. Members of Saltillo Classes of 1948, 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998, 2008 and 2018 will be honored. There will be highlights of the current Saltillo students and activities, entertaining individual recognitions and sharing of old school and community memories.
Members of the community who have passed away during the last year will also be remembered. Afterwards, those attending are invited to stay and continue to visit. Anyone who has ever attended Saltillo ISD, lived in Saltillo or just visited Saltillo is invited to attend.
For additional information, call 903-537-2386.
PJC Regents Create New Student Opportunities in Health Occupations Program
The Paris Junior College Board of Regents, at their recent meeting, created new opportunities for students through the Health Occupations program.
Regents approved a new 16 semester credit hour (SCH) Emergency Medical Technician Basic Certificate that may be completed in one semester. The state is looking for more students receiving credentials, explained PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin.
She said that Health Occupations Director Dr. Gregory Ferenchak was doing a great job reviewing programs to see what could be improved. This takes a portion of what is currently in a larger degree to create a 16 SCH EMT Basic Certificate.
“It allows dual credit students completion out of high school,” said Dr. Ferenchak.
Next came modification of for the Enhanced Nurse Aide program. The current certificate was broken into three certificates: Enhanced Nurse Aide I, II, and III at 16 SCH, 25 SCH, and 30 SCH. The stackable credentials include opportunities to test for phlebotomist and med aide certifications, and to take the Certified Nurse Aide examination.
In other business, the Regents:
• Gave final approval to the 2018 tax rate of .085 per $100 valuation.
• Cancelled the election for Regents Place 9 (representing Lamar County Precinct 1) and Place 6 (representing Lamar County Precinct 3).
• Received a report on fall semester enrollment of 4,989. Total head count is up 2.99 percent over last year, and 3.18 percent from two years ago.
• Adopted the Continuing Education pricing guideline as required annually. The formula calculates tuition allowing the department to break even on courses offered.
• Heard an update on Student Achievement Targets that includes 2017 data. They contain such metrics as the number of students completing their first college-level reading, math and writing classes; those completing 15 SCH in their first semester and 30 SCH in their first year.
“The IPEDS graduation rate shows that PJC’s graduation rate has increased from 20 percent in 2012 to 32 percent,” said Dr. Anglin. “We’re now the second-highest in the state.”
• Received a report showing that there is a 9.9 percent increase since last year in the number of dual credit students. They are now 35 percent of headcount and 20.5 percent of contact hours.
• Accepted the reassignments of Iris Gutierrez as Assistant Director of the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center and Rob Stanley as the Director of the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center, in addition to his duties as Dual Credit Coordinator effective Sept. 1.
• Regents also accepted the employment of Associate Degree Nursing Instructor Melinda Garrett, effective Jan. 14, 2019; and the resignation of SBDC Director Bradley Gottshalk, effective Sept. 28.
Lady Cats Lose to Greenville in Fifth Set
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team has now opened district play with three straight losses. They had hoped the sight of the home court would turn things around after two road losses but a good Greenville Lady Lions’ team had other ideas Friday (Sepotember 28) in Wildcat Gym. The Lady Lions captured a fifth set, 15-7 to take the match, 3-2.
The Lady Cats got off to a good start and took set one, 25-22. Greenville bounced back to take set two, 25-18. The third set was one the Lady Cats seemed to have under control but it ended up slipping away. The Lady Cats led 22-17 and 23-22 but the Lady Lions took the final three points to win it, 25-23. The Lady Cats played well in set four winning, 25-18 forcing the fifth and decisive set. Set five was tied at 4-4 when Greenville began to pull away. Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness said the Lady Cats have painted themselves into a corner with the 0-3 district start.
He said he is an optimist and he believes his team can still turn things around. Coach Maness said the key is for the team to believe that they can do it. Lady Cat senior Autumn Tanton continues to play incredible volleyball. Tanton had a team high 23 kills in the match. It made Coach Maness wonder if 23 kills might be a team record. Coach Maness said Sadie Stoud also played well with 29 digs. Lexi Whisenhunt had a team high 45 assists. Tanton was also credited with 3 block solos and one block assist.
The Lady Cats season record is now 24-10. The Lady Cats hope to break into the win column in district play at Mount Pleasant next Tuesday night.
Lady Cats Stats versus Greenville
Kills- Autumn Tanton 23 Abbi Baier 12 Sydney Washburn 6 Madi Vickery 6 Sadie Washburn 5
Erika VanBenthem 3 Lexi Whisenhunt 2
Assists Whisenhunt 45
Digs Sadie Stroud 29 Maddie Millsap 12 Taylor McElfresh 8 Tanton 7 Whisenhunt 5 Sadie Washburn 3 Baier 3
Block Solos Tanton 3 McElfresh 1
Block Assists Sydney Washburn 3 Sadie Washburn 1 Tanton 1 Baier 1Whisenhunt 1 Vickery 1
At Arlington Meet Wildcats Cross Country Finishes 6th; Lady Cats Finish 26th
After two straight cross country meets were rained out for the Wildcats and Lady Cats, they were able to compete Thursday (September 27) at a meet at Lynn Creek Park in Arlington. Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks said the Arlington course, the site for the regional cross country meet, had to be altered Thursday due to high water from recent rains. Coach Hicks said he noticed a new pond in an area where athletes used to run. He said the course was muddy and he said one runner lost a shoe during the run.
Coach Hicks said the Wildcats competed in the Elite Run. They finished sixth among 13 teams. He said the Wildcats were the fifth best Class 5A team adding four of the teams were in our region. Landon Thornton led the Wildcats finishing seventh in the run with his best time of the season. Junior Christian Palamino was the second Wildcat to finish followed by senior Eli Sellers. Junior Nabian Ramirez was the Wildcats fourth finisher and sophomore Jose Mejia was fifth. Senior Andrew Escobar was sixth for the Wildcats with Rhett Reid seventh.
The Lady Cats ran in a field of 298 competitors representing 50 teams. The Lady Cats were 26th as a team. Sydney Washburn was the top finishing Lady Cat setting a personal best. Senior Baylie Arrington came in next followed by sophomore Maurie Flecker, sophomore Landri McKinney, freshman Jessica Yanez, Ashley Noe and Kaitlyn Ferrill.
Coach Hicks said his JV runners will compete at the Mount Pleasant Titus County Fair Invitational on Saturday (September 29). Next for the varsity is the UIL District 15-5A Championship at Mount Pleasant High School on Monday, October 8. Coach Hicks said he plans a nine day training cycle for his teams. He said he is excited by the potential of his teams.
Game Day: Lady Cats Host Greenville in First Home Game of District Season
The #25 ranked Lady Cats’ volleyball team has their first home district match of the season on this game day Friday (September 28) as they play host to the Greenville Lady Lions. The varsity match begins at 5 p.m. The freshmen and JV contests get underway at 6:30 p.m.
The varsity Lady Cats have taken road district losses at Royse City and Lindale so they are 0-2 in district play. The Lady Cats season record is 24-9. The Lady Lions are 1-1 in district play with a loss to Texas High and a win over Mount Pleasant. The Lady Lions season mark is 19-10 according to Max Preps.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness says you can’t take anyone lightly in this district. He says you have to show up and play every time. Coach Maness says he believes the timing is good for this game with football having the night off. He’s hoping a big crowd will show up at the gym to create excitement. Coach Maness says he’s hoping to finish the first half of district play at 3-2. He says some of the important matches in the second half will take place in Wildcat Gym. Coach Maness says district play could end with a lot of teams tied at the top.
KSST Radio will have Lady Lions and Lady Cats volleyball live from Wildcat Gym beginning at 5 p.m. Friday. We will also videotape the game for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
New Family Practice Dr. Chrystal Roe Joins Christus Mother Frances Clinic, and Says It’s Flu Shot Time!
Dr. Chrystal Roe, M.D. is joining the staff of six Family Practice doctors at Christus Mother Frances Clinic in Sulphur Springs. She says she is right where she wants to be, because she and her husband purchased land in Hopkins County about four years ago and decided this would be their home. Upon graduation in June 2018, she applied for a position in Sulphur Springs and was accepted. Dr. Roe speaks English and Spanish, is accepting new patients, and plans to offer a full array of care in family medicine from children to the elderly, and including areas such as diabetes management, weight loss and mental health issues. “Establishing a relationship with patients and helping guide their preventive approach is vital to their personal health care plan. And that includes your flu shot!” stated Dr. Roe. during a KSST Good Morning Show interview she shared with Will Knous with Christus Health Public Relations.
Dr. Roe commented that with 80,000 flu-related deaths in the US alone during 2017, taking flu protection seriously is important. She encourages anyone from age 6 months and up to become vaccinated for flu before the end of October. The highest risk groups are persons of extreme age, the very young, pregnant women and those with chronic medical conditions. She sited that the CDC, or Centers for Disease Control, does research leading to an educated guess at which strains of flu will affect people in the coming season. However, new strains often develop and identified strains can mutate even after flu season begins. CDC scientists and your local physician still feel that the flu vaccine is the best way for you to protect yourself from getting or spreading a nasty bout of flu during Fall/Winter 2018/2019.
Dr. Roe is from Bay City, Texas and earned her degree from UT Dallas, then went on to Texas Tech El Paso Medical School, where she also studied and practiced the Spanish language, and completed her training and residency in Family Practice at Baylor in Garland. She joins the team of family physicians Miller, Horne, Balkcom, Cutrell, Coker and Gulde.
Will Knous, in Public Relations and Communication for Christus Health, announced that a new Orthopedic Clinic is open with Dr. Graves and new Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Flowers. This will fill a real need in Hopkins County. “Being able to access the doctors we have is of utmost importance, and with the addition of N.P. Flowers, more patients will be able to access the orthopedic clinic” stated Knous. He also stated that another physician new to town, G.I. Specialist Dr. Mena Melad, is now available to Christus Mother Frances patients in the Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County areas.
Accident: TxDOT is Replacing Signal Light at South Broadway/Industrial Drive
Texas Department of Transportation Paris District is currently replacing a traffic signal at the South Broadway/Industrial Drive intersection. An early morning accident destroyed the support for the signal. All traffic at the South Broadway bridge is passing through 4-way stops at both the south and north service road.
The work will be completed as soon as possible according to TxDOT. At this time, drivers are advised to use caution at the intersection or chose an alternate route, such as League Street, Bill Bradford Road, Hillcrest Drive, or College Street to avoid the intersection.
Cumby Volunteer Fire Dept. Plans Sixty-Mile Motorcycle Ride, Bike Show on Oct. 6
According to David Weatherby of the Cumby Volunteer Fire Department, a fundraising motorcycle ride will take off from downtown Cumby, Texas at 10:30 am on Saturday October 6, 2018. Registration starts at 8am, and over 100 riders are expected. Those participating in the BlackJack 100 Motorcycle Ride will experience some of the most scenic backroads in Hopkins County along the 60-mile route. A Bike Show and BBQ Lunch will follow the ride in Cumby City Park, located downtown. Spectators are welcome. Cost to take the ride is $25 per rider and $5 per passenger. This third-annual event is a fundraiser for the Cumby Volunteer Fire Department, with funds used for general operating expenses as a supplement to regular annual funding. This is a family-friendly, alcohol-free event. Former Chief Weatherby is a 22-year member and currently Chaplain of the department. He says the ride has grown over it’s history, mostly spreading by word of mouth, and he expects continued growth of the fundraiser. Members of the department will be cooking and serving the BBQ, there will be door prizes and vendors on site. The Cumby Volunteer Fire Department invites everyone to come and enjoy a great day outdoors in Hopkins County!
FEMA Nationwide Wireless Emergency Alert Test Set For October 3, 2018
At 1:18 p.m., October 3rd, you will receive a Wireless Emergency Alert on your mobile phone if it is connected to wireless providers that participate in the WEA system. The alerts are free and the customer is not charged to receive WEA. One does not have to sign up to receive a WEA.
On October 3, 2018, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The test will be transmitted in English and Spanish including both audio and text messages. The EAS test should appear similar to nationwide tests in recent years to radio and television audiences. FEMA will also send a test Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) message to all mobile phones that are connected to wireless providers that participate in the WEA system. The FCC requires all wireless carriers that do not participate in WEA to notify their customers. Customers may also notify their carrier to determine the extent to which the carrier is offering Wireless Emergency Alerts. Wireless Emergency Alerts include Amber Alerts, Severe Weather Alerts, and others. The alerts are set to be geographically precise within the county or counties affected by the alert. The Nationwide WEA does not have to be a text. Many providers have chosen to transmit WEA’s using a technology that is separate and different from voice calls and SMS text messages.
The WEAs can be blocked. However, when Congress passed the WARN Act, they allowed participating carriers to offer subscribers the capability to block all WEA’s except those issued by the President.
