Local Teachers Have Wish Lists For Their Classroom and Students
December 5, 2023 – It’s a common occurrence with Public School Teachers, if you have an idea that can help your student learn, you will probably have to fund it out of your own pocket. Sometimes classroom supplies such as Kleenex, dry erase markers, calculators and color printers can require teachers to purchase them outright.
School budgets are always tight. Funds aren’t always available for classroom projects aimed at helping student learn.
This can be an even bigger issue in classrooms of children with extra educational needs.
Many educators say their districts simply aren’t supplying everything their students need to be engaged, comfortable, and ready to learn. Multiple surveys, including one by the U.S. Department of Education, show that 94 percent of teachers reach into their own pockets to purchase classroom necessities.
NEA
So what is a teacher to do?
The get creative… Some teachers are exploring an online ‘wish list’ website for their classrooms.
Teachers provide their plan and details about what is needed, and how it will be used. Then they let the internet work for them.
Mrs. Sanchez is one such local teacher. She is trying to get support for her students. She and other teachers in the areas are using a site called Donors Choose to generate funds and in turn help their students.
Our campus does not have a campus printer for teachers to print in color regularly. Having it for several activities or other papers needed would help to make it child-friendly. Then, laminating the printed activities guarantees they will last longer for future use.
I have found that it all helps the classroom run smoothly and they love the prizes!
From Mr.s Sanchez’s Donors Choose Page
Mrs. Sanchez stopped by KSST for an interview this week. She cares deeply for her students and hopes to spread the word about classroom needs, and generate some funds for her own project.
The website has an interactive map that you can use to locate projects like Mrs. Sanchez’s across the nation. Here is a link to Mrs. Sanchez’s Request Page.
You can hear that interview in the 8 o’clock hour.
Use of the website, Donors Choose, is endorsed by the SSISD.
Hopkins County Records – November 2023
Land Deed Transactions 11/2/23 Thru 11/3/23
- Arbala Community Center to Arbala Community Center Inc.; Tract in the Thomas Lee Survey
- Joe Kneifl Also Known As Joseph Kneifl and Sherry Kneifl to Ellen Lloyd and Jeremiah Lloyd; Tract in the L P Dikes Survey
- Linda Marie Cross, Phyllis Jan Jensen Edmonds, Allan Melton, and Jeanne Peltier Melton to Stephen Welch; Tract in the Daniel Halbrooks Survey
- Lawrence R Hall Estate, Also Known As Randy Hall Estate, Ruthmary Hall, and Ruthmary Hall Inc. Exec. to Clancy Horton and Danielle Horton; In the Tract of M A Bowlin Survey
- Elaine Vance Acker to Jonathan Grant Kennedy; Tract in the R D Gregg Survey
- Tamera Lee and Tommy Lee to David Scott Dawson and Paula Nicole Dawson; Tract in the A B Koontz Survey
- Kelly Michelle Romans and Tommy Joe Romans to JNS Investments Properties LLC; Tract in the G C Roberts Survey
- Shawn Bryan and Timmany Bryan to Julie Pace and William Pace; Tract in the Nacogdoches Univ Survey
Caddo Creek Farms LLC to Samson Acosta; Tract in the A Fitzgerald Survey - Chad Glasshoff to Delgadina Martinez and Jose S Martinez; Tract in the G Roberts Survey
- Deborah Osbourn Management Trust and Joe Don Osbourn Successor Trustee to Linda Ann Cordova and Robert Cordova; Tract in the J Ybarbo Survey
- Ivan Diosdado and Laura M Zamora Hernandez to Daniel Hanson and Shannon Desiree Standridge; Tract in the Issac Alexander Survey
Winter Cattle Feeding Can Be Challenging by Mario Villarino
December 5, 2023 – Winter cattle feeding can be challenging when forage supply is short. It is also common that during the winter feeding process that cattle has the tendency to look for green forages to consume causing challenges to fences to keep them confined. When cattle breaks loose, the nature of the consumed forage becomes unknown. It is during these circumstances when intoxication can become a problem, either by the ingestion of known toxic plants or non toxic plants with toxicans in them. Two common toxic compounds for cattle are nitrites and prussic acid. Ammonium nitrogen is the preferred form of nitrogen for plant growth, but nitrate nitrogen is the form primarily taken up by plants. Even when ammonium and urea-based fertilizers are applied, most of the nitrogen taken up by plants is in the nitrate form because soil microorganisms quickly convert ammonium nitrogen to nitrate nitrogen. Nitrates are extremely soluble in water and are easily absorbed by plant roots along with soil moisture. Normally, plants reduce nitrates to ammonium ions and then assimilate them into amino acids and other proteins. This process, called nitrate reductase, occurs in the roots of some grasses such as bermudagrass, and in the leaves, stems and stalks of plants such as corn or sorghum. When plants are stressed (for example, by drought) this process slows or stops, allowing nitrates to accumulate. Here are some conditions that cause nitrate accumulation: 1. When the temperature is high and moisture is adequate, plants may undergo a process called photorespiration. Photorespiration produces carbon dioxide rather than assimilating carbon into energy building blocks (i.e., sugars, carbohydrates, etc.). This may cause nitrates to accumulate. 2. When the soil contains nitrate nitrogen but little soil moisture, nitrates are highly concentrated in the water plants take up. Plants don’t have enough water to continue growing and nitrates accumulate. 3. Herbicide injury can limit the conversion and assimilation of nitrates in plants. After herbicide applications, check the field, especially field edges, for forage plants affected by off-target herbicide drift. Three to 5 days of active growth are needed to significantly reduce nitrate levels in plants.
Prussic acid in forages can pose a significant risk to certain grazing and barnyard livestock. Under normal conditions, when these plants are actively growing and healthy, they contain low levels of prussic acid because the compound breaks down over time, thus eliminating toxic accumulations. Unlike nitrate, prussic acid may be present for a while and then dissipate from plants properly cured for hay. Prussic acid accumulation can happen when: a) There are poor growing conditions that prevent stems from developing properly b) Recent hay harvest or grazing causes slow and stunted growth of new plant tissue c) Nitrogen fertilizers are over-used or there are other soil fertility or nutrient imbalances. C) Plants develop new growth after a prolonged drought. Livestock poisoned by prussic acid have respiratory stress similar to that caused by nitrate poisoning. A blood test can quickly distinguish between nitrate and prussic acid poisoning. If prussic acid is the toxic agent the blood will be cherry red, unlike the chocolate brown blood seen in nitrate poisoning. Horses, hogs and other nonruminant animals are less affected by prussic acid because their stomachs convert the prussic acid to less toxic formic acid and ammonium chloride. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Paris Junior College Offers Hands on Training Giving the Students the Experience They Need
Kevin Tapia, a student at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Welding Shop, is learning the Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process.
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.
Lions Club Recognizes 2023 Parade Winners
December 5, 2023 – In addition to providing a little extra holiday cheer each year, the Sulphur Springs Lions Club’s Lighted Christmas Parade also features a friendly competition among participants, with recognition doled out to the top three nonprofit and small business entries, and a trophy and cash prize going to the top rated large business entry in the parade. This year, a Mayor’s Choice award was also given out. Entries were judged by a panel of judges from out-of-town, who notified the Lions Club of their choices for parade winners.
Sulphur Springs Lions Club recognized the 2023 parade winners during their lunch meeting Tuesday, when the prizes were awarded. This year’s parade winners included:
- Small Business
- 1st Water Oak School
- 2nd Fix and Feed
- 3rd Billboard House
- Non-Profit
- 1st Davis Street Baptist Church
- 2nd Trinity Harvest
- 3rd Middle School Cheer
- Large Business
- 1st East Texas Physical Therapy
- Mayors Choice Award
- City National Bank
North Pole Of Texas Back for 2023
December 5, 2023 – For the 25th year, the North Pole of Texas will offer free train rides each weekend leading up to Christmas. Santa’s helpers have been very busy all year making sure the wonderland of lights and sights are just right and the trains are in good working order and ready to roll.
Extra work is put in during the fall, with final touches added on Thanksgiving eve to ensure all of the treat bags are ready, one for each visitor, and Kim’s chocolate factory is fully stocked and ready for the annual community project, manned exclusively by Alan and Kim Screws family and their friends and neighbors in the surrounding Pickton-Pine Forest community – volunteer firefighters, school and church groups too.
The night is designed as a fun, family outing, down to the number and color of jelly beans in the bags train riders receive when they pass through Santa’s Toy Shop; North Pole of Texas founder Alan Screws’ mom, Maw-Maw, has packaged or overseen packaging of each bag of treats. They and the lighted “Happy Birthday, Jesus” bridge clearly state the true purpose behind the annual event, to bless others in an expression of love and celebration of Christ’s birth.
“This past year held uncertainty and unrest at times, but we can look forward with hope knowing that God is in control and His love is greater than we could ever imagine. It’s our greatest joy to brighten your Christmas season, and we’re excited to continue doing our part in providing your family an enjoyable evening celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” the founder noted.
Located off FM 269 in the heart of Pine Forest, The Screws family The North Pole of Texas is designed to offer a fun family experience, the best cup of hot chocolate around, a warm feeling in your heart.
“Our team works all year long to offer this as a blessing to our community; from dreaming up new ideas to enhance your experience, preparing an endless supply of hot chocolate mix, and checking to make sure that every twinkling light is in place are just a few things that we do to ensure ‘the Christmas train in Pickton‘ is a bright spot in your holiday season. We hope to see you this year as we celebrate another year of The North Pole of Texas!” Screws stated.
If you’ve never been, the North Pole of Texas is located at 227 County Road 3378, Pickton, TX 75471. Once you get to Pickton/Pine Forest, just look for the signs and follow them until you see the glow that would make Clark W. Griswold proud. Then, park as directed and prepare to enjoy the lights and sights as the little ones anticipate their ride; it’s also a great opportunity explain the significance of Bethlehem and reinforce the reason to exchange gifts and do for others, especially this time of the year.
Although the ride is free, those who feel led may make a donation in the designated container to help offset costs of maintaining the operation or to bless others through the designated Christian charity of the North Pole of Texas.
Join Atmos Energy in Preparing for Winter
GREENVILLE,TX – The transition from hot summer nights to cozy fall days is here. Atmos Energy remains focused on year-round preparations for the winter heating season. We also have tips to help you stay safe and conserve energy so you can be ready for winter too.
All year round, from gas supply to delivery of natural gas service at the meter, Atmos Energy is preparing for winter weather. As your household also prepares for winter, using energy wisely and making a few household changes can make a big difference in how much you spend on natural gas and other energy bills. Atmos Energy offers rebates for high-efficiency natural gas appliances, energy-saving devices, and weatherization upgrades for customers in Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, and parts of Texas – visit
www.atmosenergy.com/rebates for details.
Remember that colder weather may impact the amount of natural gas you use. To save energy and money, please consider these energy-saving tips where safe to do so:
- Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 58 degrees when you are away from home.
- Reduce your shower and bath time. Showering and bathing can account for 40 percent of your home’s hot water use.
- Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees. Water heating accounts for as much as 25 percent of the energy consumed in your home.
- Do not use a pool heater. Instead, run your pool pump during the coldest part of the day to circulate the water and prevent freezing.
- Operate your clothes washer, dryer, and dishwasher only when fully loaded.
- Unless a fire is burning, close your fireplace damper to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney.
If your natural gas service lapsed for any reason and you need to reconnect service, contact Atmos Energy now to schedule an appointment – before cold weather sets in. The Atmos Energy customer service team is available at 888.286.6700, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time – or visit the Account Center anytime at www.atmosenergy.com.
Sign Up for Text Alerts When the forecast calls for extreme cold to arrive, Atmos Energy will closely monitor the weather and stage qualified, well-trained employees across our system. We will communicate regularly with customers and communities before, during, and after extreme weather events. To sign up for text alerts, adjust your notification preferences in the Account Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and on our website at atmosenergy.com for continued safety and weather preparedness information.
About Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy Corporation, an S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the country’s largest natural gas-only distributor. We safely deliver reliable, affordable, efficient and abundant natural gas to more than 3 million distribution customers in over 1,400 communities across eight states located primarily in the South. As part of our vision to be the safest provider of natural gas services, we are modernizing our business and infrastructure while continuing to invest in safety, innovation, environmental sustainability and our communities. Atmos Energy manages proprietary pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. Find us online at
http://www.atmosenergy.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
A&M-Commerce to Hold Fall 2023 Commencement on December 15 and 16
COMMERCE, TX—A&M-Commerce is gearing up for Fall 2023 commencement ceremonies on Friday, December 15 and Saturday, December 16. The lineup of candidates includes 638 master’s students, 25 doctoral students and 733 undergraduate students. From these students, 385 will graduate with academic distinction, including 111 cum laude, 137 magna cum laude and 137 summa cum laude.
All ceremonies will be conducted in the University Field House at 1804 Lee Street, Commerce, Texas. Doors will open to guests one hour before the start of each ceremony.
Tickets are required to attend, but guests without tickets may view the live ceremony virtually via the links posted below or at the Rayburn Student Center’s second-floor conference rooms.
If you have questions or accessibility concerns, please email [email protected].
Graduation Schedule
Graduate School Ceremony
Date: Friday, Dec.15, 2023
Time: 4 p.m.
Watch Live: https://youtube.com/live/EM-ge0u5GXw?feature=share
_____________________________
Undergraduate Ceremonies
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
College of Business
College of Education and Human Services
Date: Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Watch Live: https://youtube.com/live/_LixLSs_Zkc?feature=share
_____________________________
College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts
College of Innovation and Design
College of Science and Engineering
Date: Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
Time: 11 a.m.
Watch Live: https://youtube.com/live/7LQVtaGeWYg?feature=share
______________________________
Find more details and information at www.tamuc.edu/Graduation.
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Winnsboro Police Department Media Report 11-27-2023 – 12-3-2023
Arrests:
Morris, JR, James, 38 years of age, of Como, TX, was arrested on 12-3-2023 for Warrant out of Titus County and for Possession of CS PG1 4G<200G
Moseley, Kory, 36 years of age, of Winnsboro, TX, was arrested on 12-3-2023 for Possession of
CS PG1 4G<200G
Parnell, Bryer, 21 years of age, of Desoto, TX, was arrested on 12-3-2023 for Possession of CS
PG1 4G<200G
Huggins, Joseph, 24 years of age, of Winnsboro, TX, was arrested on 12-1-2023 for Terroristic Threat of Family/Household.
Lopez, Roberto, 49 years of age, of Winnsboro, TX, was arrested on 11-30-2023 for Deadly Conduct, Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon and Driving While Intoxicated/Open Alcohol Container
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 127 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 15 citations and 30 warnings during this reporting period.
Whitehouse Christmas Parade Spreading Too Much Christmas Cheer
December 4, 2023 – The Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce has filed a police report regarding an incident involving an “unauthorized entry” into their Christmas parade allegedly throwing bottles of alcohol and other items to parade watchers. The incident occurred last Saturday and was first made public when Joshua Underwood posted a picture of a miniature whiskey bottle he claimed his daughter had picked up after being thrown from a vehicle during the parade. The Underwood post was listed on Facebook Group “Whitehouse Texas, Rants, Raves, & Recommendations” and received over 1,100 comments before a group administrator shut down comments for the post.
One of those comments was an explanation from Ashley Westerfield who is the self-described Admin for the Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce. In the Westerfield post, she said, “The truck that did this was NOT a registered entry in the parade. He went behind Holloway and snuck into the parade line between floats. A complaint was filed with the Police department as soon as we were told about it. They have a picture of his truck, License plate and the name of his company. This was NOT an approved float. We apologize for anything that was handed out by this individual and his passengers.” Most of the comments were in support of the local Chamber of Commerce, as other found humor in the incident. As law enforcement investigate the incident, it is unclear how many inappropriate items were dispensed from the vehicle.
