ERCOT Operating on Thin Margins
August 25, 2023 – As record heat continues all across Texas, cooler temperatures cannot come soon enough to give Texas’ Power Grid some needed relief. ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) has issued several Voluntary Conservation Requests across Texas during the heat wave as the difference between forecasted supply and demand on the grid has been very narrow. As the pastel lines on the graph below get closer together, the danger of rolling blackouts across the state increases. This danger usually reaches the critical stages in late afternoon and early evening hours when solar panels stop producing any output to the grid and winds slow down bringing turbines to a stop as well.
The next choice for ERCOT after Voluntary Conservation Requests becomes Energy Emergency Alert. If and when ERCOT enters that final stage, more drastic measures are taken to keep electricity flowing to as many people as possible.
System-wide emergency supply and demand conditions
- EEA Level 1
Low reserves. Tools deployed to meet demand - EEA Level 2
Lower reserves. Additional tools deployed to meet demand - EEA Level 3
Extremely low energy reserves. Controlled outages possible
Find out more about current Electrical Grid conditions on ERCOT’s website.
Hopkins County Enters Drought, Burn Ban Coming?
August 25, 2023 – Although North East Texas has avoided severe drought so far this summer, the latest repot from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows Hopkins County has now entered the lowest level of drought at the D0 or “Abnormally Dry” stage. As other counties in Texas are rapidly moving up the scale, some in Central Texas have achieved the most severe level of D4 or “Exceptional Drought” and more counties have been added to that level in recent weeks. Only a dozen counties in the panhandle are still in the No Drought category with some of those being only partial areas of those counties.
With this new information for Hopkins County, local officials will be discussing the option of enforcing a burn ban at the next County Commissioner’s meeting on Monday. Hopkins County would be one of the last remaining counties in our area to enforce a burn ban, as most of our neighboring counties have already voted to ban outdoor burning and other hazardous activites in their counties. More details about a local burn ban will be revealed after the next Hopkins County Commissioner’s meeting.
Dinner Bell Menu For August 30, 2023
Diversified Storage is making its third appearance at Dinner Bell this year! A great big thank you to the Dollason family and their employees for supporting Dinner Bell so strongly!!!
GRAB and GO with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway (porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus starting around 10:30 on Wednesday.
MENU
Chicken Pot Pie
Broccoli Salad
Buttered French Bread Slices
Peach Cobbler Crisp
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BY FOLLOWING SAFE HEALTH PRACTICES AS FLU AND COVID ARE LURKING! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
Enrollment at Paris Junior College is Stress Free With the Help of Advisors on Hand
August 24, 2023 – Ximena Morales, right, of Sulphur Springs gets help from PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Education Opportunity Center (EOC) Advisor Kim Scarcelli during her enrollment process at the college. For more information about enrollment, call the Greenville campus at 903-885-1232. Registration is under way and Fall classes at Paris Junior College start Monday, August 28, 2023.
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.
Truss in Hopkins County Jail Following Child Exploitation Investigation
August 24, 2023 – On Tuesday, the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office said they received reports of children at risk of “serious harm, adult actor(s) actively involved in child exploitation including online activities.” An investigation was opened immediately and with the information received, authorities said they were able to determine a possible location of the suspect in Franklin County.
Hopkins County investigators went to the location and officials said they were able to identify the suspect Billy Joe Truss.
Truss currently faces one charge of sexual exploitation of a minor from the US Marshals. In the same case, the Franklin County Sheriff has charged Truss with:
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Two counts of sexual performance of a child under 14 years of age.
- Possession of child porn with the intent to promote and distribute.
- Continues sexual abuse of a child under 14 years of age.
Additional charges are expected.
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.
Adams Turns Himself In, Faces 4 Counts of Homicide
August 24, 2023 – Gerald Lee Adams turned himself into the Hopkins County Sheriff this week. He was escorted to the jail and booked.
Adams, a 61 year-old resident of Paris, TX, was involved in multi-vehicle accident on SH 19, near CR 4764, just south of Birthright. Four were killed and seven were injured. The traffic collision occurred in December of 2022. See the original story here.
See the obituaries of the victims here. Here. Here. Here.
Adams’ bond is set at a total of $80,000. He is charged with:
4 19.05 CRIM NEGLIGENT HOMICIDE
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.
2024 Lights of Life Gala Theme Announced
August 24, 2023 – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Annual Gala has become a cult event among locals for its over-the-top themes, delicious meals, elaborate décor, on-your-feet dance bands,
and wonderful auctions. Adding to the evening is the fact that proceeds are used for improvement of local healthcare offerings.
One of the first announcements each year after the Gala chairs are made public is the theme. Through the years, Gala attendees have gathered for A Touch of Pink and The Royal Touch. They have gone Out of Africa, been the Jewel of the Nile, and partied like they were in Vegas. The crowds have Put on the Ritz and put on masks for The Phantom Masquerade Ball. Of course, during COVID, they went Unmasked! They have experienced The Great Gatsby, A Decade of Diamonds, Mardi Gras, and Stilettos and Stetsons. A couple of years ago, they met Under the Big Top. Through it all, the community has insured that The Beat Goes On.
This year, Gala Chairs Kim and John Sellers have decided to transport those in attendance to a beautiful villa on the western coast of Italy for An Evening in Tuscany. Kim elaborated on why they chose this theme. “When I think about Tuscany, I think about the beauty of the countryside and it’s simple elegance. I think about group gatherings of family and friends sharing good food, fun and conversation. In so many ways, it reminds of the magic we have in Hopkins County.”
“Kim and I have fallen in love with Italy. Of course, Kim’s heritage is Italian. With our upcoming trip to Tuscany, we thought it was a perfect time to have “una festa Tuscano”!” added John. Plans are being made for a scrumptious meal featuring the tastes of Tuscany. To engage all of the senses during the night, the sights, sounds, and smells of Italian fare will be on display.
Sponsorship and Underwriter opportunities will be available on September 1 at LOLGala2024.Givesmart.com. Individual tickets will be made available mid-October at the same site. Follow the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation on Facebook for more news on the Foundation and the Gala.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that aims to improve health and wellness in Hopkins County.
For more information on the Foundation, contact Executive Director Kayla Price at 903-438-4799.
White House Announces New Student Loan Repayment Program
August 24, 2023 – The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, like other income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, calculates your monthly payment amount based on your income and family size. The SAVE Plan provides the lowest monthly payments of any IDR plan available to nearly all student borrowers.
The new plan can significantly decrease your monthly payment amount compared to all other income-driven repayment plans.
Your monthly payment amount is based on your discretionary income—the difference between your adjusted gross income (AGI) and 225% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guideline amount for your family size. That means you will not owe loan payments if you are a single borrower earning $32,800 or less or a family of four earning $67,500 or less (amounts are higher in Alaska and Hawaii). Borrowers earning more than these amounts will save at least $1,000 per year compared to the current income-driven repayment plans.
The plan eliminates 100% of remaining interest for both subsidized and unsubsidized loans after a scheduled payment is made. If you make your monthly payment, your loan balance won’t grow due to unpaid interest. For example: If $50 in interest accumulates each month and you have a $30 payment, the remaining $20 would not be charged.
When can I apply for the SAVE Plan?
The updated IDR application is now available and includes the option to enroll in the new SAVE Plan. If you are enrolled in the REPAYE Plan or recently applied, you will be automatically enrolled in the SAVE Plan. There is no need to reapply or request to change your plan. Learn how to check which plan you’re on.
How do I apply for the SAVE Plan?
Use the IDR application to apply for the SAVE Plan now. You can select the option for your loan servicer to place you on the lowest monthly payment plan (this will usually be SAVE).
What if I’m already on an IDR plan?
If you are already on an IDR plan, check to see if you are on the REPAYE Plan. Log in to StudentAid.gov, go to your My Aid page, scroll down, and view your loans. Each loan will list a repayment plan. If you see that you are enrolled in the REPAYE Plan, you’ll automatically be enrolled in the SAVE Plan later this summer. You can now enroll in the SAVE Plan if you’re on a different repayment plan. If you don’t have a StudentAid.gov account, create an account now.
Which loans are eligible for the SAVE Plan? Which loans are ineligible?
Eligible loans for the SAVE Plan include
- Direct Subsidized Loans,
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans,
- Direct PLUS Loans made to graduate or professional students, and
- Direct Consolidation Loans that did not repay any PLUS loans made to parents.
Loans that must first be consolidated into a Direct Consolidation Loan to be eligible for repayment under the SAVE Plan are
- Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans (from the FFEL Program),
- Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans (from the FFEL Program),
- FFEL PLUS Loans made to graduate or professional students,
- FFEL Consolidation Loans that did not repay any PLUS loans made to parents, and
- Federal Perkins Loans.
Loans that are ineligible for repayment under the SAVE Plan are
- Direct PLUS Loans made to parents,
- Direct Consolidation Loans that repaid PLUS loans made to parents,
- FFEL PLUS Loans made to parents,
- FFEL Consolidation Loans that repaid PLUS loans made to parents, and
- any loan that is currently in default.
If your loans are in default, you may qualify for the Fresh Start initiative to easily get your loans back in good standing. It’s free and takes 10 minutes or less to sign up and enroll in an affordable repayment plan, such as the SAVE Plan, with payments as low as $0 a month.
For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid Website.
The S.O.C.K. Program is back!
August 22, 2023 – The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the kick-off of S.O.C.K. Support Our Campuses and Kids! This opportunity was created for businesses to partner with schools, with the belief that the more our community is involved and invested in our schools, the more successful our schools and children will be.
Please contact Communications Coordinator, Amber Grimes, at 903-885-2153 x 1129 or email agrimes@ssisd.net for more information about this program or click the link below to register.
Time is Running Out to Register for Fall Classes at Paris Junior College
ENROLLING
August 22, 2023 – Jazz Santos Rodriguez, left, and Taylor Price, both of Sulphur Springs, are completing paperwork for enrollment at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center — with the help of secretary Dana Smock. Registration for Fall 2023 classes at Paris Junior College is under way. Fall Classes start Monday, August 28th, 2023.
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.
