Federal Agents Now Make ‘Welfare Checks’ on Migrant Children
April 25, 2025 – Federal agents are conducting “welfare checks” on unaccompanied migrant children in North Texas, a move that has sparked concern among families and immigration advocates. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that these checks aim to verify the safety and well-being of minors who entered the U.S. without a parent or guardian and are now living with sponsors.
However, the involvement of federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and ATF in these checks has raised alarms. Critics argue that the presence of armed agents conducting unannounced visits can instill fear in immigrant communities, potentially leading to unintended consequences.
A recent DHS Inspector General report highlighted challenges in tracking unaccompanied minors after their release from federal custody. The report found that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could not effectively monitor the location and status of all unaccompanied alien children, with over 31,000 cases having incomplete or inaccurate address information.
While DHS emphasizes that the primary goal of these welfare checks is to ensure children’s safety, the lack of clear protocols and the potential for data collected during these visits to be used in future immigration enforcement actions remain points of contention. Advocacy groups continue to call for transparency and safeguards to protect the rights and well-being of these vulnerable children.
East Texas Giving Day on April 29th is the Topic on This Second Cup Of Coffee
CANHelp’s Executive Director, Brian Crump, stopped by for A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey. John Mark and Brian chatted about “East Texas Giving Day” which will be held April 29, 2025. They also talked about CANHelp’s back to school fair, and so much more! Be sure to watch this episode of A Second Cup Of Coffee and learn some deadlines coming up!
Paris Junior College’s 49th Creative Writing Awards
Paris, Texas, April 23, 2025 – Paris Junior College hosted its 49th annual Creative Writing Awards ceremony. This ceremony recognizes outstanding student achievements in English, English as a Second Language, and Foreign Language. It also celebrates the winners of the annual creative writing contest. This year marked over ninety entries across four divisions of creative writing.
Wesley Johnston received the English Award for outstanding student. Keurtys Komba won the English as a Second Language Award. Finally, Stanford Lewis was presented with the Foreign Language Award. In creative writing, Braden Collar placed first in both “Narrative” and “Argument with Research” categories. Austin Gutierrez placed first in the “Short Story” category, and Corey Williams won the “Poetry” category. All of the winners are published in “Swingers of Birches: Student Achievement in Writing.” “Swingers of Birches” is an annual PJC publication that promotes creative writing across the college.
Paris Junior College remains committed to celebrating student success.
To learn more visit parisjc.edu.
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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.
Wildcat Athletes Have Signed Letters of Intent to Continue Their Sports Activities at the College Level
April 24, 2025 – Several Sulphur Springs Wildcat athletes have signed letters of intent to continue their sportsactivities at the college level.
Wildcat football player … defensive end Nathan Andrews .. will compete for Hendrix College in Arkansa.
Wildcat wide receiver Wyatt Watson will play Football for Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene
Kaden Mitchell, the quarterback on the Wildcat football team and a pitcher and third baseman on the baseball team, will play baseball at Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond
Wildcat cheerleader and softball player Mattie Dixon will cheer at Paris Junior College.
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The Sulphur Springs Wildcats baseball team shocked the no. 2 ranked team in Texas 4A baseball, the Texarkana Pleasant Grove Hawks, Tuesday night, 4-0. It was only the third loss of the season against 24 wins for the Hawks, and their first loss in district play. The Wildcats are now 16-9 for the season and 8-3 in district play. They host Pleasant Grove in the final district game at 7 Friday night.
The Ladycats softball team plays Wills Point in a bi-district doubleeader at 5 p.m.Friday at Community High School in Nevada. KSST will broadcast the games. If needed, a third game will be played at 10 a.m. Saturday morning.
Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week Recognizes the Vital Role of Native Ecosystems
April 24, 2025 – Hopkins-Rains Soil and Water Conservation District #445 has partnered with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas Soil & Water Conservation Districts to highlight Soil and Water Stewardship Week and the importance of voluntary land stewardship in Texas. The statewide campaign is April 27 through May 4, 2025, and the focus this year is “Home is Where the Habitat is.”
Native habitats are vital for maintaining Texas’s rich biodiversity. They serve as homes for countless species while playing a critical role in storing carbon, filtering pollutants, and preventing soil erosion. Preserving these habitats is essential to ensuring that the ecosystems we rely on remain strong and resilient for generations to come.
Texas’s native habitats and landscapes are not just the foundation of our natural environment—they are also deeply intertwined with our cultural heritage and future prosperity. From prairies and wetlands to forests and rivers, each habitat contributes to the health and vitality of our state. These habitats sustain wildlife but also provide critical ecosystem services that benefit people directly, such as clean water, fertile soil, and recreational opportunities. The preservation of these habitats is a shared responsibility that supports both environmental and human well-being.
Healthy habitats contribute to many things, including:
- Clean Air and Water: Native plants and habitats filter pollutants, ensuring cleaner air and water for all.
- Ecosystem Stability: Biodiverse habitats provide a balanced environment, reducing the impact of natural disasters.
- Carbon Storage: Habitats act as natural carbon sinks, helping to maintain ecosystem balance.
- Enhanced Natural Beauty: Native landscapes enrich the aesthetic value of our state, attracting tourism and boosting local economies.
- Resilient Environments: Strong ecosystems support sustainable agriculture and forestry, safeguarding Texas’s economy and quality of life.
Since 1939, the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) have championed responsible natural resource management across the state. By partnering with private landowners, agricultural producers, and conservation organizations, they help implement strategies that protect our precious soil, water, and habitats. The success of conservation efforts relies on active community involvement and shared commitment, as collective actions play a vital role in protecting and preserving our natural heritage for future generations.
This year’s theme, “Home is Where the Habitat Is,” invites us to celebrate and protect these critical habitats. By prioritizing habitat preservation, we can ensure that the ecosystems supporting Texas’s vibrant biodiversity and abundant natural resources continue to thrive. Let us renew our commitment to protecting these habitats and honor their role in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for all Texans.
This campaign aims to bring more awareness and support to voluntary land stewardship because the way we manage our resources on private lands directly impacts our natural resources. Hopkins-Rains Soil and Water Conservation Board is proud to collaborate with conservation partners across Texas to promote the importance of natural resource conservation.For more information on “Home is Where the Habitat is,” please visit www.tsswcb.texas.gov.
Weekly Senior Center Activities with Meal A Day Menu for the Week of April 28th
April 24, 2025 – Check out what the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Activity Center has in store for the community this week, this month, and upcoming months! This post also includes the Meal A Day Menu for April 28th, 2025 through May 2nd, 2025.
NFIB Thanks Governor Abbott for Signing Senate Bill 14
AUSTIN (April 23, 2025) – NFIB State Director Jeff Burdett today thanked Gov. Greg Abbott for signing Senate Bill 14, legislation creating the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office and making it easier to run a small business in Texas.
“Governor Abbott’s signing of SB 14 marks a historic step for Texas small businesses, creating the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office and building on the Small Business Freedom Council’s recommendations to reduce regulations, taxes, and workforce barriers,” Burdett said. “This legislation sets the stage for what could be the most impactful session for small businesses in Texas history.”
The Small Business Freedom Council was made up of business group leaders and small business owners from across the state. The Council’s report, released in March, focused on reducing red tape, cutting taxes and fees, and improving workforce licensing. Senate Bill 14 reflects many of those ideas and puts them into action.
Burdett said he was grateful to Governor Abbott for allowing him to serve as co-chair of the Small Business Freedom Council. “It was a privilege to work with the governor’s team on this important effort,” Burdett said. “His leadership continues to keep small business front and center, and that’s what makes Texas a great place to do business.”
He also thanked Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen. Phil King for leading the bill through the Senate, and Speaker Dustin Burrows and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione for their work in the House. “SB 14 is the start of what could be the best session ever for small businesses in Texas,” Burdett said. “We’re grateful to all the leaders who are helping make that happen.”
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Dinner Bell for April 30, 2025
DINNER BELL, First United Methodist Church
SPONSOR: Charles Dawson
The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal.
Charles Dawson is this week’s Community Partner.
Charles is a lifelong Hopkins County resident and lifelong member of First United Methodist Church.
A financial advisor and commodity broker for over 45 years, Charles owns and runs Texas Trading Company, a financial services and futures trading firm with offices just around the corner from the church. He’s also a lifelong, dedicated cattle rancher and farmer.
Charles brings a servant’s heart to his community as well. He has served in many leadership positions at First UMC, as a leader on numerous civic and financial boards, and as a faithful member of various community organizations. You will often find Charles at fundraising events for local FFA, 4H, church, and scholarship groups, helping support the next generation. He is the father of three daughters and two sons-in-law, and a proud grandparent of six, bringing him much joy, pride, and laughter. Charles’ favorite Warren Buffet quote is:
“The most important investment you can make is in yourself.”
We are blessed to have Faith Huffman, Stephanie Page, DJ Spencer, Enola Gay, and Tammy Crook from Sulphur Springs News Telegram, serving with us this week as well. We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
MENU:
- Chicken & Rice Casserole
- Arkansas Green Beans
- Garden Salad
- Buttered French Bread Slices
- Peach Cobbler Crisp
The Dinner Bell Ministry
First United Methodist Church
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Sulphur Springs Wildcats and Ladycats Track Team Athletes Qualified for the State Meet
April 24, 2025 – Several Sulphur Springs Wildcats and Ladycats track team athletes qualified for the state meet at the Regional Meet held at East Texas A&M in Commerce last weekend.
State qualifiers for the Wildcats are
Creed Whisenhunt, the regional champion in 100-meter dash, with a time of 10.6 seconds, andTy Bybee, the regional champion in the pole vault, with a new school record of 16 feet.
Ladycat state qualifiers are:
Jaicee Jasmer, the regional champion in the pole vault at 14 feet, andEdith Martinez, second place in the 1600-meter (one mile) run, with a new school record of 5:25.
The Wildcat boys’ 4X100-meter relay team of Kyshawn John, Deuce Timmons, Jio Ibarra, Creed Whisenhunt finished third with a time of 41.85 and missed making the state meet by less than three-tenths of a second.
The 4×200-meter relay team of Creed Whisenhunt, Deuce Timmons, Ty Bybee and Grayson Hardy finished fourth and missed missed state by two-thousandths of a second.
Ty Bybee finished third in the 110-meter hurdles and Vincent Johnson placed fifth in the shot put.
The state meet is May 1-3 iat the University of Texas in Austin.
Bill to Guarantee Texas Inmates A/C by 2032 Advances
April 24, 2025 – A Texas House panel has approved House Bill 3006, mandating the installation of air conditioning in all state prisons by the end of 2032. Introduced by Rep. Terry Canales (D-Edinburg), the bill proposes a phased implementation, limiting expenditures to $100 million every two years and permitting the use of inmate labor to reduce costs. This legislative move follows a federal judge’s recent ruling that deemed the extreme heat conditions in Texas prisons unconstitutional .
Currently, approximately two-thirds of Texas prison inmates are housed in facilities without full air conditioning, where indoor temperatures often exceed 100°F. These conditions have led to numerous heat-related illnesses and deaths among inmates. Advocates argue that the absence of climate control not only endangers lives but also results in significant legal expenses for the state due to lawsuits. Rep. Canales emphasized that the bill aims to expedite the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s (TDCJ) current timeline of 25 to 30 years for full air conditioning implementation .
The bill has garnered support from various advocacy groups and religious organizations, including Texas Baptists, who highlight the moral imperative of ensuring humane conditions for incarcerated individuals. The legislation now awaits further consideration by the full House.
