Change is Inevitable From Master Gardener David Wall
March 10, 2024 – Inevitably when gardening, things that were standard a few years ago become outdated or just wrong. For example, the literature used to recommend placing an egg and banana in the tomato planting hole. In fact, you can still occasionally find such a recommendation today. Such recommendations, however, ignored the rotting time needed before the basic elements could be used by a growing tomato plant.
Then, placing crushed egg shells in the garden became a new standard. Unfortunately, while crushed egg shells may help prevent cats, other animals and slugs from strolling through your garden, they don’t provide needed plant nourishment. So, where are we today?
The bottom line is how can we quickly make nourishment available. Organic fertilizers are great but may take up to 30 days before they’re provide nourishment. Much as I hate to say it, Miracle-Gro can be used to jump start seedlings before and immediately after transplanting, providing nourishment until organic fertilizers take over.
So, instead of sticking bananas in the planting hole, do one or two things. Stick several dried peels in a gallon milk jug, fill it with water, and let it sit for a week, shaking it daily. After a week, pour the contents around your tomato plants. You can also let peels dry completely on their own or stick them in a microwave for 30 seconds at a time for a few days until they dry. Then, crush into a powder. The powder can go in the hole before planting or added around the plant base after planting.
Egg shells also need to be reduced to powder form. You can crush them in a blender, separate the liquid, which is also greatly appreciated by the tomato plants, put them in the hole before planting, or sprinkle the dried powder around the plant.
A Second Cup of Coffee with John Mark Dempsey March 5th with Guest Chris Brown
On another segment of A Second Cup of Coffee with John Mark Dempsey from March 5th, John Mark chatted with Hopkins County EDC Executive Director Chris Brown. They covered such topics as Mr. Brown’s past and present job positions, Cell-O-Core, Thermo Mine, and so much more. Give it a view and see what you think.
Paris District Road Report for Week of March 11, 2024
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting March 11, 2024. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
Safety Message: College and Young Adult Impaired Driving
Across Texas, college students use spring break as an opportunity to have fun and recharge, but a well-deserved break can end in tragedy if they drive after drinking alcohol. TxDOT’s Drive Sober. No Regrets. campaign is reminding everyone — especially students on spring break — to never get behind the wheel after drinking any amount of alcohol.
The campaign shares emotional stories from real offenders and survivors that make the consequences of drinking and driving clear.
Even when drunk driving doesn’t result in a crash, it can still have a profound effect on someone’s life. Getting arrested for driving while impaired can cost up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time, loss of a driver’s license, significant legal hassles, difficulty finding or keeping a job, loss of trust from loved ones, and a lifetime of regret.
There is never a good reason to drive after drinking. A sober ride is always possible. People can designate a driver who has not consumed any amount of alcohol, call a taxi, use a rideshare service, stay where they are, call a friend or family member, or use mass transit.
Visit SoberRides.org for tips on finding a sober ride and to learn more about the real costs of driving impaired. Follow the hashtag #DriveSoberNoRegrets to keep up with the campaign on social media.
Grayson County: US 75, from US 82 to North Loy Lake Road. This project will rebuild and widen the US 75 mainlanes from four lanes to six lanes as well as reconstruct the entrance and exit ramps on US 75. The project will also reconstruct bridges at FM 691, Iron Ore Creek and Spur 503, and add U-turn bridges at Loy Lake Road in Sherman and Spur 503 in Denison. A reduced speed limit of 65 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project. Watch for shoulder work and frontage road lane closures within the project.
The entrance ramp on the southbound frontage road onto US 75, north of Spur 503 and south of Loy Lake Road, will be permanently closed beginning March 11. This closure is part of the reconstruction of US 75 from US 82 to Loy Lake Road in Denison. Motorists who wish to travel south on US 75 from its intersection with Loy Lake Road are advised to prepare for this change. A detour will be in place requiring traffic to continue on the southbound frontage road, around Spur 503, to the entrance ramp for US 75 southbound located north of the FM 691 intersection. Signs will alert travelers and guide them along this detour route.
Beginning at 6:30 a.m. on March 11, the northbound US 75 frontage road will be closed to thru traffic north of FM 691 in order to replace the frontage road bridge over Iron Ore Creek. Upon completion of the bridge demo, work will begin for the construction of the new US 75 northbound frontage road Iron Ore Creek bridge and northbound frontage road pavement. This work has an anticipated completion date of early August 2024. Motorists traveling along the northbound frontage road will take the northbound entrance ramp north of FM 691 and take exit 66 to access Eastbound Spur 503.
US 75, from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set on the mainlanes for this construction project. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91.
US 75, at the US 82 intersection. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads on the northbound and southbound US 75 frontage road lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street, as well as on the eastbound and westbound US 82 frontage road lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on construction of new frontage road lanes and bridges.
On March 13, crews will move US 82 frontage road traffic from their current lanes to the newly constructed lanes and reopen this section to two lanes. Travelers are cautioned that there will be delays during the daytime hours as crews make this traffic switch.
The US 82 eastbound and westbound mainlanes will be closed to traffic beginning the evening of March 15 to allow for the bridge demolition of the old Us 75 frontage road bridges over US 82. This closure will remain in effect through the weekend and the mainlanes of US 82 will be reopened to traffic by 6:00 a.m. March 18. During this closure, mainlane traffic will be required to exit at the US 75 exit ramp and then can reenter US 82 at the next on-ramp. Expect delays at the US 75 and US 82 intersection during the weekend of March 16 and 17.
FM 1417, from US 82 to SH 56. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project. Travelers are advised that intermittent temporary daily lane closures will be required for both northbound and southbound FM 1417 while the contractor completes the remaining work.
US 75 frontage roads in Denison, from Crawford Street to the Ray Yard Bridge. Watch for lane closures along the US 75 northbound and southbound frontage roads as crews will be working replacing failed concrete sections. The contractor plans to perform this work at night.
FM 120 in Denison, from Spring Valley Drive to York Avenue. Watch for lane closures along FM 120 as crews will be working replacing failed concrete sections. The contractor plans to perform this work at night.
US 82, from SH 91 to FM 1417 in Sherman. Watch for a lane closure on westbound US 82 between Texoma Parkway and Loy Lake Road as workers install a center median concrete barrier to help prevent crossover head-on collisions. Watch for daytime lane closures on eastbound US 82 between Frisco Road and FM 1417 as workers install a center median concrete barrier.
FM 121, from Main Street in Van Alstyne to SH 160. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 26 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Park Road 20 in Eisenhower State Park. Watch for daytime lane closures within Eisenhower State Park as workers perform base repairs on the roadway and then overlay the roadway with a hot-mix surface. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82, from the Cooke County line to FM 131 in Sherman. Watch for lane closures as workers replace the bridge railing and guardrail approaches at each bridge structure and install median barrier. During construction, bridge travel will be reduced to one lane while crews replace the bridge railing. Currently, the contractor is working on the westbound US 82 lanes at Harris Creek and on the eastbound lanes at Post Oak Creek. On this project, the contractor is also installing a center median concrete traffic barrier between FM 1417 and FM 131. Motorists should expect lane closures while this work is underway.
Lynch Crossing Road at Jordan Creek. Lynch Crossing Road at Jordan Creek is closed to through traffic to allow for replacement of the bridge. During the closure, traffic is asked to use County Line Church Road and West Line Road as a detour.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, from the Collin County line to the Oklahoma State line. Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Friday morning during the overnight period. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete sections. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
US 75 debris pickup, from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday and Thursday during the nighttime.
FM 901, from SH 56 to FM 902. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 2729, from FM 902 to FM 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Fannin County: FM 274, from SH 78 to FM 1753. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 26 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone. During the project there will be road closures at the Cottonwood Creek bridge and the Sandy Creek bridge as the contractor replaces the existing bridge. Message boards will be placed in advance of the road closures to alert local traffic of the upcoming closure.
FM 68, from SH 78 to FM 271. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 28 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 78, from US 82 to the Oklahoma State line. Watch for daytime shoulder closures and occasional lane closures as workers install sloped-end treatments on drainage structures and replace bridge rail and guardrail.
FM 100, from SH 56 to FM 2216. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 271, from SH 78 to FM 68. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
CR 1020 at Caney Creek. CR 1020 at Caney Creek is closed to through traffic to allow for replacement of the bridge. During the closure, traffic is asked to use CR 1030 as a detour.
SH 121, from SH 56 to SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
Hopkins County: FM 900, from I-30 to FM 3019. Watch for single lane closures and delays as crews perform surfacing operations.
Hopkins County: SH 19, from I-30 to Rains County Line. Watch for crews performing tree trimming and removal.
Franklin County: Spur 423, at I-30 North Frontage Road. Watch for four-way stop condition as crews activate traffic signal for seven-day flash period.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
Lamar County: Loop 286, from FM 1497 around the north loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures and traffic merges while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures and perform bridge maintenance.
Loop 286, from US 271 North going west to FM 79. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, crossing closures and merging traffic while crews place a bonded concrete surface and perform asphalt paving operations.
US 271, from LP 286 to Oklahoma State Line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, ramp closures at LP 286, and traffic merges while crews resurface the pavement and perform bridge maintenance.
FM 1507 (Jefferson Rd), from SH 19 to 0.8 MI North of Loop 286. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews install sidewalk.
CR 26320 at Morrison Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 1497, from FM 1184 to FM 3426. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures
SH 24, Lamar & Delta Counties: from the FM 64 intersection to 1,540 feet east of FM 198. Watch for temporary lane closures and lane shifts while crews resurface the roadway and perform bridge rail upgrades.
US 271, Lamar & Red River Counties: from the FM 196 North to SH 37. Watch for temporary shoulder closures and trucks entering and exiting the highway as crews remove tree and brush from within right of way.
Delta County:
FM 2068 at East Fork of Jernigan Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 2675, from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 19 at South Sulphur and South Sulphur Relief. Watch for temporary shoulder closures while crews perform bridge maintenance.
Red River County: Cedar / Church Street (Clarksville, Texas), at the intersection of Cedar and Church Street. Watch for road closure while crews remove and replace the existing bridge.
Locust Street (Clarksville, Texas), at Delaware Creek. Watch for road closure while crews remove and replace the existing bridge.
CR 2127 at Scatter Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 2120, from FM 2573 to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 1487, from FM 910 to FM 412. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
Hunt County: SH 11, from Culver Street to Live Oak. The contractor has placed work zone signs and barricades. The contractor has been working on signals at various locations and performing concrete median work and placing signal drill shafts on University Street and signal box controllers pads at various locations. Signal heads and Hawk system are currently being placed. Final striping will begin soon. The contractor has finished placing sod at various locations. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 1563, from SH 50 to SH 2655: This is a 2.7-mile rehabilitation project that will widen the existing roadway. The contractor has set work zone signs and barricades. The contractor has begun preparing the right of way: placing driveways and driveway safety-end-treatments and cross culvert work is underway. The contractor is currently working on culvert extensions and placing flexbase and placing geogrid at various locations. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2642, from FM 35 to SH 66: The contractor has set work zone signs and barricades. Excavation work for the detour is ongoing. The contractor has shifted traffic to the west to begin removal of asphalt, concrete and some existing driveways. Placement of storm sewer will continue along with embankment and excavation work. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2649, from I-30 to FM 1567. The contractors have set barricades and work zone traffic signs. Cross culvert work is complete. The contractor has completed subgrade widening, cement treatment, flex base, and geogrid of the subgrade near mile six of the eight-mile project. Contractor is currently performing finish work and grading ditches at this location. Section ride test will begin soon along with prime coat Riprap and erosion control work is ongoing. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Shelby Avenue and Bledsoe Creek Bridge: The contractor has set barricades and work zone signs at both locations. The contractor has completed placing beams and poured the concrete deck on Shelby Avenue. Asphalt work has begun on Shelby and should be completed soon The Bledsoe Creek in Fannin County bridge deck has been finished by the contractor. Flex base and asphalt will be placed soon on Shelby Ave. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30 intersection improvements from Monte Stratton to FM 1903. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor will shift West Bound Frontage roads to one-way, this will require northbound FM 1570 traffic to turn right and go east on the eastbound Frontage Road and follow the detour to U-turn at Monty Stratton to continue northbound on 1570 North of I-30. The underpass will remain open and northbound FM1570 traffic will still be able to take a left to go west on the westbound Frontage Road. Southbound 1570 traffic will be able to operate as usual. Utility work is ongoing. Temporary ramps are now open. The contractor plans to place more barriers and perform main lane widening and drainage work in the area. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Hunt and Rains Counties Hunt County maintenance crews will be performing work on FM 3211 and overlaying on FM 3427. Crews also addressed the railroad crossing at FM1565 near SH 66. Rains County maintenance crews have been working on FM 513 south of I-30 repairing base failures at various locations and worked on FM 2101 between FM 1564 and FM 1570 on drainage issues. Both maintenance crews will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads, and fixing potholes on FM roads and state highways.
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A Second Cup of Coffee with John Mark Dempsey from March 5th guest Dawna Pryor
On the March 5th segment of A Second Cup of Coffee with John Mark Dempsey, John Mark sat down with Sulphur Springs Senior Citizen Center Coordinator Dawna Pryor. They talked about the Center’s monthly nail polish party, Saint Patrick’s Day, Easter, and so much more. Please check it out!
A Second Cup of Coffee with John Mark Dempsey Feb 27th guest Hope Cain
On the February 27th segment of A Second Cup of Coffee with John Mark Dempsey, John Mark sat down with Sulphur Springs Public Library Director Hope Cain. Their conversation covered such topics as the upcoming eclipse, tax returns, Valentine’s Day, and other Sulphur Springs Public Library activities. Check it out!
20th Annual 90+ Sulphur Springs Bridges Banquet to be Held April 20th
The 20th Annual 90 Plus Sulphur Springs Bridges Banquet is scheduled to take place Saturday, April 20, 2024. This year’s theme is “Bridging the Gap Between the Ages.” Activities begin at 12:00pm at the ROC in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Guests will be served a sit-down dinner, enjoy entertainment, and engage in fellowship. To register a Senior please call Dawna Pryor at 903-885-1661 by April 6th.
Paris Junior College Presidential Search Committee Recommends Three Finalists
The Paris Junior College Board of Regents met Thursday, March 7 and received the formal recommendations from the PJC Presidential Search Committee of three finalists for the next President of the College.
“We accepted the report of the Paris Junior College Presidential Search Committee as authorized by a previous vote of the Regents,” said PJC Board of Regents President Curtis Fendley. “We are extremely pleased with the caliber of applicants. It is a compliment to the reputation of the College.”
The three presidential finalists are Dr. Stephen Michael Benson, Dr. Joel Michaelis, and Dr. Kevin Rose. Public forums for faculty, staff, students, and the public will be held at 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. in the PJC Math and Science Building, Room 101 for Dr. Rose on Wednesday, March 20, Dr. Michaelis on Thursday, March 21, and Dr. Benson on Friday, March 22.
Stephen Michael Benson, Ph.D.
Dr. Benson has a twenty-seven year career serving as an administrator at a variety of higher education institutions. He came to McLennan Community College in April 2017 after serving three years as the Vice President for Business Services at Florida Gateway College in Lake City, Florida.
Prior to the position in Florida, Dr. Benson served as Vice President for Finance and Administration at New River Community and Technical College in Beckley, West Virginia and as Director of Administrative Services at West Virginia Wesleyan College.
He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1997, a Master of Science in Strategic Leadership from Mountain State University in 2010, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Keiser University in 2016.
Dr. Benson has been actively engaged in professional organizations, including Community College Business Officers groups in West Virginia as the Vice President, in Florida, and now as the Secretary for the Texas Association of Community College Business Officers. Active in his current community, Dr. Benson has served on boards for the United Way, Creative Waco, Youth Chorus of Central Texas, McGregor Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, and church committees.
In his current role at McLennan Community College, Dr. Benson is responsible for the preparation and control of the annual budget, which exceeds $61 million and ensures that proper financial systems are established and maintained. Dr. Benson has direct responsibility for Financial Services, Purchasing/Auxiliary Services, Human Resources, Technology, Campus Safety/Police, Emergency & Risk Management, Physical Plant, Admissions and Recruitment, Records and Registration, Enrollment Systems, Financial Aid, and Marketing and Communications, with over 200 staff in his division.
Directly responsible for strategic enrollment management, Dr. Benson has led the College in many innovative new initiatives that have stabilized enrollment and generated enrollment growth. Under Dr. Benson’s financial leadership, the College has added over $14 million to its unrestricted fund balance, all while enhancing the salaries and benefits of its employees by $6 million. A champion of collaboration, Dr. Benson routinely uses committees and task forces representing all employees to best implement change.
In his previous role at Florida Gateway College, Dr. Benson provided leadership for planning multiple construction projects, developing a facilities masterplan, establishing a public safety office, and opening a campus operated food service. Similarly, in his Vice President role at New River Community and Technical College, Dr. Benson was instrumental in providing leadership for the separation of the financial operations from Bluefield State College, which established the business office, financial aid office, and purchasing department. Dr. Benson provided the leadership for New River to drastically expand its facilities footprint on five campuses.
In addition to his professional roles in higher education, Dr. Benson has used his musical training to serve as the music director for First United Methodist Church of Buckhannon and as the director of the Buckhannon Choral Society. He currently serves as the Music Director of Lake Shore Baptist Church in Waco. Music plays a major role in the life of the Benson family.
Dr. Benson is married to Christy and they have one daughter Kiersten. Christy is the Financial Manager for MPL Corporation, a computer software company that is based in Buckhannon, West Virginia. Kiersten will graduate from Midway High School in Waco, Texas this year and will attend the University of Texas in Austin this fall to study chemistry.
Joel Michaelis, Ed.D.
Dr. Michaelis is the Vice President of Instruction at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska. Previously, he served in the Chief Academic Officer role at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College in Middlesboro, Kentucky and also at Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas. Dr. Michaelis earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from Baylor University, a Master of Education in Higher Education administration from The University of Texas, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Texas A&M University, College Station.
Dr. Michaelis has worked in education for over 30 years, starting as a sixth grade mathematics instructor, and has served in various administrative roles in student services, workforce development and academics in community colleges in Texas, Kentucky, and Nebraska. He is also a graduate of Paris High School and attended Paris Junior College for a year prior to transferring to Texas A&M.
Kevin P Rose, Ed.D.
Dr. Kevin Rose is the Senior Vice President for Student Success at Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) where he provides leadership for a variety of areas including instruction, student services, information technology, and outreach services. Hepreviously held the positions of Vice President for Instruction, Associate Vice President for Workforce Development, and Dean of Business Technology and Continuing Education at NTCC. From 2006 to 2009, Dr. Rose served as Associate Dean of Workforce and Continuing Education, then Dean of Workforce Education at Paris Junior College.
Dr. Rose began his higher education career teaching computer science before moving into administration over 20 years ago. He has maintained his passion for connecting with students by serving as an adjunct faculty member at both Northeast Texas Community College and Texas A&M University-Texarkana, having taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the departments of computer science and adult education.
He has extensive experience supporting business and industry through workforce development and the design of innovative training programs. One such project is the Industrial Technology Training Center (ITTC) in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. The ITTC is a partnership between Northeast Texas Community College, Mt. Pleasant Independent School District, and the Mt. Pleasant Economic Development Corporation and is focused on providing training for maintenance personnel in the manufacturing sector.
Dr. Rose has worked closely with the area’s school districts in supporting a college-going culture and was instrumental in the development of the Harts Bluff Early College High School, the first in the area. In 2020, he was named the Area 3 Career and Technology Association of Texas (CTAT) Champion for CTE for his work with area CTE departments in both program development and grant writing support. He has served on numerous Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation teams as both a committee member and chair and serves on the Board of Managers for the Titus Regional Medical Center, the Mt. Pleasant Housing Authority, and Workforce Solutions Northeast.
Dr. Rose holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from Texas A&M University-Commerce, a Master of Science in computer science and a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from Stephen F. Austin State University, as well as associate degrees from NTCC. He is a graduate of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Senior Fellows Program and the American Association of Community College’s (AACC) Future Leaders Institute. He is an alumnus of the League for Innovation in the Community College’s Executive Leadership Institute. He is married to Tracie Rose, who is the Director of Learning and Literacy for Harts Bluff ISD. Together they have one daughter, Caroline.
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.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office Wants Your Opinions
We want you to share your community needs with Us!
March 8, 2024 – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office in Hopkins County wants to invite you to our Community Forum March 21, 2024 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center located in Sulphur Springs, Texas at 1200 Houston Street. Developing educational programs based on community needs is the foundation of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s success. Providing solutions to county problems and issues allows AgriLife Extension to remain viable to constituents. What could be more important to AgriLife Extension than listening to its “customers” – the people of Texas?
Our ability to meet educational needs depends on knowing what citizens see as their issues that impact their lives. There is no way to know the answers to these questions unless they are asked. The Texas Community Futures Forum (TCFF) is designed to do just this. TCFF is just one part of the issue identification process. Other processes to collect information include, but are not limited to: State and National Trends, Commodity/Industry Groups, State and Federal Mandates and Emerging Issues.
The issues identified are to be part of your county educational plan. You should discuss these issues with county committees, task forces, regional leadership, and subject matter specialists to determine the appropriate action for educational programming. Moreover, they should be shared with other agencies and educational groups to see if a program partnership can be formed to address the issue. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is unique because it has faculty in every county in the state who are dedicated to educating Texans in many areas of need. This uniqueness provides an opportunity to bring together the people of Texas, other service agencies, and educational groups to help provide solutions to the problems and issues facing Texans. Remember the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides innovative solutions at the intersection of agriculture, natural resources, youth and health, thereby improving the well-being of individuals, families, businesses and communities through education and service.
Please RSVP by calling 903-885-3443 by March 12, 2024. Lunch will be provided to those who RSVP.
The Next Hopkins County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting to be Held March 21st
March 8, 2024 – Hello everyone! We have a much enjoyed previous speaker coming to the library to do a presentation entitled “Doaksville, Choctaw Nation and its Relationship with Texas.” The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the genealogy library at 611 N. Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas, at 7:00 p.m.
Our speaker, Kenny Sivard, is a 7th generation resident of McCurtain County, Oklahoma. Currently he is the president of the McCurtain County Historical Society and serves on the board of directors of the Oklahoma Historical Society where he sits on the organization’s Research and Publications Committees. He also serves on the executive board of the Friends of Fort Towson Historic Site and the board of directors of the Friends of Honey Springs Historic Battlefield. Kenny was formerly a history writer for the Oklahoma Edge Magazine and has written history articles for the McCurtain Gazette newspaper for over ten years. He makes his home in Idabel Oklahoma.
If you are unable to attend this meeting in person you are invited to attend via Zoom on the same date and at the same time.When: Mar 21, 2024 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)You will need to register in advance at:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcldeyprjMpHdY5YA-VroNEThTp8_fu3eYxAfter registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. We look forward to seeing you in person or virtually!
FDA Alert Concerning Certain Cinnamon Products Due to Presence of Elevated Levels of Lead
March 7, 2024 – Through product testing, the FDA has determined that the ground cinnamon products listed in the table below contain elevated levels of lead and that prolonged exposure to these products may be unsafe.
The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy these ground cinnamon products. The FDA has recommended that the firms voluntarily recall these products, with the exception of the MTCI cinnamon. The FDA has been unable to reach MTCI to share our findings and request that the company initiate a recall. The FDA will update this notice with the communications from firms that voluntarily agree to recall as we receive them.
| Distributor | Retailers | Brand Names | Lots/Codes | Lead Concentration (ppm) |
| La Fiesta Food Products | La Superior SuperMercardo | La Fiesta | 25033 | 2.73 |
| Moran Foods, LLC | Save A Lot | Marcum | Best By: 10/16/25 10DB 04/06/25 0400B1 | 3.20 2.90 |
| MTCI | SF Supermarket | MK | No Codes | 2.99 |
| Raja Foods, LLC | Patel Brothers | Swad | KX21223 | 2.12 |
| Greenbriar Int’l | Dollar Tree Family Dollar | Supreme Tradition | Best By: 09/29/25 09E8 04/17/25 04E11 12/19/25 12C2 04/12/25 04ECB12 08/24/25 08A__ 04/21/25 04E5 2025-09-22 09E20 | 3.37 2.26 2.03 2.34 3.14 3.12 3.13 |
| El Chilar | La Joya Marelense | El Chilar | F275EX1026 D300EX1024 | 3.40 2.93 |
Recommendations for consumers
- The FDA is advising consumers to stop using and dispose of these products.
- Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve ground cinnamon products listed in the table above and should discard them.
- These products have a long shelf life. Consumers should check their homes and discard these products.
- If there’s suspicion that someone has been exposed to elevated levels of lead, talk to your healthcare provider. Most people have no obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure.
The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy the ground cinnamon products listed above because samples of these products were found to contain elevated levels of lead. Based on FDA’s assessment, prolonged exposure to these products may be unsafe and could contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood. Long-term exposure (months to years) to elevated levels of lead in the diet could contribute to adverse health effects, particularly for the portion of the population that may already have elevated blood lead levels from other exposures to lead. No illnesses or adverse events have been reported to date in association with these products.
While the ground cinnamon products in this alert may not be a food targeted to young children, cinnamon is used in many foods young children consume. Consistent with the agency’s Closer to Zero initiative, which focuses on reducing childhood exposure to lead, the agency is recommending voluntary recall of the products listed above because prolonged exposure to the products may be unsafe. Removing the ground cinnamon products in this alert from the market will prevent them from contributing elevated amounts of lead to the diets of children.
