A&M-Commerce Emerges as the Fastest-Growing Public University in Texas
November 9, 2023 – COMMERCE, TX—Texas A&M University-Commerce is the fastest-growing public university in Texas according to recent data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The university experienced a 12.5% enrollment surge this fall, boasting the highest percentage increase among all public universities in Texas.
A&M-Commerce also secured third place for headcount increases among all public universities in Texas. Specifically, the university’s student body grew by 1,340 students, expanding from 10,754 in Fall 2022 to 12,094 in Fall 2023.
University President Mark Rudin is pleased that students are recognizing the opportunities that await them at A&M-Commerce as they enroll in record numbers. However, he emphasized that the university’s commitment to students extends far beyond enrollment day.
“Our faculty and staff work hard to support and retain our students throughout their entire college journey, connecting them with programs, resources, and opportunities to help them succeed in their chosen majors and transform their lives,” Rudin said.
Not surprisingly, A&M-Commerce ranks among the best in the nation for social mobility, which reflects the university’s commitment to advancing the educational opportunities and outcomes of students. Specifically, U.S. News & World Report ranked A&M-Commerce 58th in the U.S. for social mobility among 434 ranked universities for 2024.
Rudin reflected that the remarkable rise in enrollment at A&M-Commerce is a testament to the institution’s unwavering commitment to providing quality education and a supportive community for all students. With its recent enrollment surge, A&M-Commerce is leading the pack in the Lone Star State, providing a gateway to success for its growing student body.
Read the full THECB Enrollment Report.
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Good Ways to Manage Mosquitoes Around Your Home by Mario Villarino
November 9, 2023 – Concerns about mosquito-borne disease this fall are prompting many of us to learn what to do to reduce the chances of mosquito bites in our own backyards and gardens. Fortunately, there are good ways to manage mosquitoes around your home at reasonable cost.
DESTROY OR TREAT MOSQUITO BREEDING SITES The first step in any mosquito control effort is to find and eliminate the mosquito breeding sites from your backyard. The most common biting mosquitoes in Texas, and the ones most likely to carry Zika virus, are not strong fliers. The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) both tend to live and bite within 200 to 300 yards of their breeding sites.
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, especially if it stands for at least 7 days. Adult mosquitoes lay their eggs near the standing water, and their young (larvae) develop in the water before emerging to bite. Because these mosquito larvae feed on bacteria and other microorganisms, the water must be stagnant and contain some organic matter such as leaves, soil, bird droppings, or grass clippings. For this reason, mosquitoes usually do not breed in running streams or maintained swimming pools; however, birdbaths, old tires, and clogged gutters make excellent mosquito breeding sites.
You can destroy many breeding sites by draining, dumping, or filling them. Dump water from buckets, flowerpot dishes, tarps, and wheelbarrows. If possible, turn over or cover them so they can’t catch more water. Fill holes or low areas with sand or gravel and seal tree holes with expanding foam. If you find standing water that cannot be easily dumped, filled, or drained, treat it with an approved mosquito insecticide (larvicide): Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis (Bti) is made from bacteria that kill mosquito larvae. A small amount, in the form of compressed donuts (Fig. 2), briquettes, or granules, is effective for up to 30 days. Methoprene is an insect growth regulator applied to water as a granule or briquette. Depending on the formulation, it may last for more than 30 days. Products containing these insecticides are sold online and in many hardware stores and garden centers.
Advantages: Without breeding sites, no mosquito larvae can grow up to be adults and bite you. These products are safe to use and apply around pets. They are toxic only to aquatic insects and do not hurt fish or birds.
Limitations: You must know where the mosquitoes are breeding and you must reapply these products throughout the mosquito season.
For more information on this topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 904-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Paris Junior College’s 99th Homecoming Festivities Continued Saturday
Saturday evening, as part of Paris Junior College’s 99th Homecoming festivities, the 2023 King and Queen were crowned during halftime of the men’s basketball game. Chosen were Caydence Gonzalez and Oscar Hernández Lesage.
Invited to be part of the crowning ceremony was 1998 PJC Homecoming Queen LaKeysha Brown, who joined Director of Student Life Kenneth Webb in crowning the King and Queen. Brown was presented a special commemorative award celebrating the 25th anniversary of her crowning.
Gonzalez, the daughter of AnnaLissa and Jesus Gonzalez, is a 2022 graduate of Lee High School in Midland, Texas. She is a returning member of the Women’s Soccer Team and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society. She was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American Third Team and to the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. Gonzalez plans to transfer to a four-year university and pursue a degree in nursing.
Hernández Lesage is a 2022 graduate of Cypress Creek High School in Orlando, Florida. He is from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and is the son of Oscar Hernández and Karla Lesage. A returning member of the Men’s Soccer Team, he served as captain this year. He was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American First Team, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society. He plans to become a professional soccer player, attend a four-year university and graduate with a degree in software engineering.
Also featured during halftime was the call for all Dragon athletic alumni to come down to center court to be recognized. Past baseball and men’s basketball Dragons were featured, including 2023 Distinguished Alumni Richard “Stubby” Clapp, who serves as first base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Other members of the PJC 2023 Homecoming Court included:
Osvaldo Arellano, son of Alejandra Arellano and Leobardo Luna, is a 2022 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School. He is a second-year member of the PJC Men’s Soccer Team where he plays center back. Arellano will attend a four-year university to pursue a degree in kinesiology and then a master’s degree with plans to become a head coach.
Jackson Braun, son of Tracy and Patrick Braun, is a 2022 graduate of Cypress Christian High School in Spring, Texas. He is a returning member of the PJC Baseball Team which won the Regional Championship last year and the national 2023 NJCAA Academic Team for Baseball. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, and was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American Second Team and to the PJC President’s and Dean’s Lists. He plans to continue playing baseball at a four-year university and getting a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing.
Mya Jones, daughter of Kim Thompson, is a 2022 graduate of Franklin High School in Seattle, Washington. She is a returning player on the Women’s Basketball Team, and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society. After PJC, Mya plans to continue her playing career at a four-year university and then pursue a coaching career in women’s basketball.
Eva Vogt, daughter of Carla Vogt and Mark Vogt, is a 2022 graduate of Paris High School. A returning member of the Women’s Soccer Team, she is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society. She was named 2023 NJCAA Academic All American First Team and to the PJC President’s List. She plans to transfer to Southeastern Oklahoma State University to pursue a degree in occupational therapy.
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.
SS Ladies Golf Association Continues Support of In My Closet
Sulphur Springs, TX – The month of October is an important one for women’s health. It is Breast Cancer Awareness month when all women are encouraged to schedule their annual mammograms. Locally, it is the Sulphur Springs Ladies Golf Association’s annual fundraising tournament with proceeds going to Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s In My Closet.
This year’s well-attended tournament and luncheon was held on October 25 at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Participants showed off their favorite shades of pink while playing a windy game of golf.
Through the generous support of players and friends of the SSLGA, almost $6,500 was raised. These funds will be used by the Foundation to assist women who are undergoing breast cancer treatment. The In My Closet program provides free wigs, prosthetics, mastectomy bras, and other related items to Hopkins County women who need these resources.
Funds raised will assist with purchasing supplies for the In My Closet program. Mastectomy bras run anywhere from $50 to $75 each. Prosthetics range from $220 to $530 each. And, wigs run around $150 to $300, which does not include the supplies required to maintain a wig. The local need for these resources is dramatically increasing.
In My Closet was established in 2016 and has been a source not only for supplies for women going through breast cancer but also for encouragement. If requested, a breast cancer survivor will meet with the In My Closet user to help answer any questions a woman may have and to provide a word of hope.
The Foundation is an IRS-designated 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with the sole purpose of
improving healthcare in Hopkins County. It was founded in 1996 by local community leaders and is still
led by a board of Hopkins County volunteers.
Missing Teen Found Dead
November 9, 2023 – The missing 18 year-old Sulphur Springs High School student who walked away from his home between 2:30 and 5:30 am on November 6 has been located.
Unfortunately, David Rodriguez was found deceased Wednesday. No further details have been released at this time.
Faulty Muffler Leads to Drug Arrest
November 9, 2023 – A traffic stop on Hwy 19 near County Road 4764 was initiated Wednesday evening just before 8 pm by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies as a Dodge Durango was noticed to be dragging part of it’s muffler down the roadway. As the 2006 SUV turned onto the County Road, deputies noticed a black bag hurled out of the driver’s side window into the road ditch. The vehicle came to a stop a short distance later and deputies interviewed the driver and sole occupant of the car. During discussions of the faulty muffler pipe, an investigation was conducted into the object throw out of the vehicle. The littering soon turned into drug charges as a black zippered bag discovered to contain 1.33 grams of methamphetamine in a clear plastic bag.
Stanley Paul Wood, age 41, of Como was arrested and transported to the Hopkins County Jail on possession of a controlled substance charge as well as tampering with evidence. Wood also had outstanding warrants for other charges.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Veterans Day on Celebration Plaza
November 8, 2023 – Attention Patriots and Veterans. The Hopkins County Marine Corps League Detachment 1357 will hold a Veterans Day Memorial celebration in Sulphur Springs on November 11 at 01100, that’s 11/11/11 on Celebration Plaza.
Please come and pay your respects to all those who offered their life for our freedom!
CPKC Holiday Express Stops in Sulphur Springs in 2023
November 8, 2023 – The 2023 CPKC Holiday Express, (formerly knows at KCS) will stop in Sulphur Springs Texas this year. This holiday favorite will stop on the railway near Pacific Park.
The train will arrive here on December 6th at 4 p.m.
The Holiday Express train will make 20 public stops across CPKC’s network in Louisiana, Missouri and Texas. The festive six-car Holiday Express train with intricate displays inside and out will bring Santa Claus and his elves to visit children and families as it continues its tradition of giving to The Salvation Army.
The full route table is available here.
About CPKC
With its global headquarters in Calgary, Alta., Canada, CPKC is the first and only single-line transnational railway linking Canada, the United States and México, with unrivaled access to major ports from Vancouver to Atlantic Canada to the Gulf of México to Lázaro Cárdenas, México. Stretching approximately 20,000 route miles and employing 20,000 railroaders, CPKC provides North American customers unparalleled rail service and network reach to key markets across the continent. CPKC is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpkcr.com to learn more about the rail advantages of CPKC.
SSISD Wildcats Face the Carter Cowboys Friday Night
November 8, 2023 – The Sulphur Springs Wildcats travel to Mesquite, TX Friday to face the Carter Cowboys of Oak Cliff at a neutral stadium. The SS Wildcats are 8-2 and the Cowboys are 7-4. This is a Playoff Game.
Click here for a map and directions to E.H. Hanby Stadium in Mesquite, TX.
Game Starts at 7:30PM. You can listen live on KSST AM 1230.
State District 2 Representative Election Results
November 7, 2023 – With 100% of polling locations reporting it appears, a runoff election will be required to determine our next District 2 House Rep as no candidate received more than 50% of the votes cast in the November 7th election to become the sole winner. Voters will have to return to the polls at a future election to choose between the top two candidates receiving votes: Brent Money received approx 32% of the votes and Jill Dutton receiving approx 25%. Local attorney Heath Hyde garnered approx 21% of the total votes cast narrowly missing inclusion in the runoff election. The results for Texas House of Representatives District 2 are as follows:
Candidate
Jill Dutton
Heath Hyde
Brent Money
Doug Roszhart
Krista Schild
Kristen Washinton
Early Votes / Voting Day
2628 / 4504
2753 / 3312
3662 / 5303
931 / 1271
221 / 494
1315 / 1841
Total Votes
7132
6065
8965
2204
715
3156
All results are unofficial pending certification from Hopkins, Hunt and Van Zandt counties which comprise District 2.
