Paris Junior College Adult Ed Offering Free GED Fast-Track Classes and Much More
March 25, 2025 – Free, fast-track GED classes are being offered by Paris Junior College’s Adult Education and Family Literacy Department to help students get their GED in as little as 10 weeks. The registration deadline is Thursday, April 3 for classes that will run Monday, April 14 through June 18, 2025. The classes are just part of the services offered by Adult Education that can lead to better jobs and higher pay.
Those services are free thanks to grant funding from the Texas Workforce Commission.
“We were awarded $702,381 in the fall to continue providing educational classes within our service area,” said PJC Adult Education Director Susan Sanchez. “We can help you with improving literacy, learning English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship classes, computer literacy, employability skills, workforce development support classes and tuition, and case management services for internationally trained professionals and re-entry students.”
PJC also receives support from the Lamar County Literacy Council (LCLC), a United Way organization, which pays for GED vouchers, the spring GED graduation, and provides a scholarship. Sanchez also serves as the LCLC director. Last fall, the program received a vote of confidence with a donation from the Lamar County Junior Chamber of Commerce.
The Lamar County Junior Chamber donated to adult education in the fall. Shown from left are Avery Spencer, Rosalyn Spencer, William Flood, and Ethan Schmidt with Susan Sanchez.
“All the United Way agencies gave presentations and then the junior chamber members voted on who they would donate to,” Sanchez said. “We were very pleased that they thought adult literacy was an important cause to support.”
Former student Gretel Waite took advantage of the adult education programs at PJC and was pleased with the results.
Gretel Waite, a former Adult Education student who was very pleased with the services.
“The employability class is the course I never knew I needed,” said Waite. “They provided guidance and support from writing resumes to mock job interviews, to building self-confidence to prepare myself for employment. It truly is a career navigator.”
“Each year more than 70,000 Texans enroll in adult education programs to help increase their earning potential in the Texas workforce,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “These AEL programs are helping adult learners gain the skills they need for success.”
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, those without a high school diploma average $708 weekly and have a 5.6 percent unemployment rate. This rises to $899 with 3.9 percent unemployment for a high school degree or GED. An associate’s degree brings the weekly average to $1,058 with an unemployment rate of 2.7 percent. Earnings rise and unemployment rates drop the higher the education attainment.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools to achieve career success and prosperity,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Joe Esparza. “The Texas Workforce Commission’s commitment to the education of all Texans not only strengthens our workforce system, but also Texas’ reputation as the best state for doing business.”
The fast-track courses will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Bobby R. Walters Workforce Training Center in Paris, and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the PJC-Greenville Center.
To qualify, students must be at least 17 or older, bring a current driver’s license or state ID when registering, and they must attend all classes. The classes will cover GED core exam components of language arts, science, social studies, and math. Students will also have help setting up their online GED account and get free GED practice and test vouchers.
Registration may be done in person, emailing [email protected], or calling 903-782-0467 in Paris or 903-454-8703 in Greenville. PJC serves Lamar, Delta, Hopkins, Red River, and Hunt counties. Learn more at www.parisjc.edu/adult-ed.
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.
New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries Announces Two Events in April
March 25, 2025 – New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries is spreading the word on two exciting events coming up in April 2025…
Pastor Deborah Sharper, and New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries, will host the “Glory Invasion” event April 11, 2025, beginning at 7:00pm, and April 12, 2025, beginning at 6:00pm. Guest speaker will be Apostle Brandon Cornelius, from Glory Revival Center in Madison, MS. This event is free tot he public.
Also taking place in April 2025, the Ancient Rivers In One Accord Ministries will be held at 1200 Houston Street, in Sulphur Springs, Texas. This event will be held April 13, 2025, beginning at 4:00pm. Special presenter will be Apostle Brandon Cornelius Sr.
Jennings Gets Closer to Finding Out Fate
March 25, 2025 – Embattled local real estate investor, Everett Jennings, continues his path toward justice with Pre-Trial hearings scheduled for 9:00am Wednesday, March 26th. Jennings has six charges listed on the 8th Judicial District court docket that will have Pre-Trial discussions. Those charges listed for pre-trial range from evading arrest to theft over $300,000 as well as engaging in organized criminal activity, and a tampering with a witness charge. Jennings attorney listed on the court’s docket is Brian Corrigan, a Rockwall based attorney specializing in criminal defense.
Jennings has been detained in the Hopkins County Jail for almost one year after being arrested upon returning to Galveston from a pleasure cruise. At that time, Jennings is believed to have tampered with a monitoring device as that device’s last known location reported to be a cruise ship passenger parking area.
Everett Jennings has three additional items listed on the March 26th docket but those cases are at a different point in the court cycle resulting from more recent charges. These three are listed as “arraignment” on charges of:
Capital Murder while Remunerations
Online Impersonation -Name/Persona Create Page
Fraud Poss/Use Credit or Debit Card <5
Jennings’ bond amount listed through the Hopkins County Inmate website totals 2,025,000.
Ag Commission Sid Miller Reports Unsolicited Live Plants Now Being Delivered
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller reported that the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has collected 311 unsolicited seed packages across 64 locations, including the first instance of a live plant being mailed unsolicited to a Texas resident. Texans are urged not to panic if an unexpected package arrives at their door but to proceed cautiously if the contents are unfamiliar.
Commissioner Miller asks Texans to remain vigilant and report unknown seed, liquid, and plant deliveries
“Texans need to be aware of the dangers of opening unsolicited packages left at their doorstep,” Commissioner Miller stated. “We must stay vigilant and not assume that every package contains harmless plant material. Although many of these seeds are not listed as noxious plants by the federal government, they still pose a significant national biosecurity threat that should not be overlooked.”
TDA will continue to gather and deliver all seed packages, unidentified liquids, and plant materials to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) or the Texas Tech horticulture department for identification, testing, and disposal at no cost to the recipients. TDA’s partners at APHIS will share detections with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to identify and stop similar packages.
This represents a continuation of the recent wave of mystery seed deliveries across the nation that began in 2020. The unsolicited shipments were found by the USDA and other officials to be part of a “brushing scam,” in which a retailer sends inexpensive items to unsuspecting recipients, posts reviews on their behalf, and fraudulently inflates product ratings and sales. Brushing scams are illegal in the U.S. While it remains unclear whether this applies to these deliveries, the circumstances are similar.
“We are still trying to understand how these seeds are passing through customs,” Commissioner Miller added. “We have consistently reported and delivered these packages to APHIS, which has worked to communicate with customs officials. While this may seem harmless, it raises a security concern in our nation’s delivery system that must be addressed.”
If you receive any unsolicited package containing seeds, liquids, or live plants, do not open it. Keep the contents sealed in their original packaging and immediately contact the TDA toll-free at (800) TELL-TDA.
Contact your state’s plant regulatory agency or APHIS if you are outside of Texas.
Dinner Bell for March 26, 2025
DINNER BELL, First United Methodist Church
SPONSOR: Money Law and Title Catocon, Inc.
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.
Money Law and Title relocated its Sulphur Springs office to the spacious red brick building on the Southeast corner of the downtown square and Oak Avenue.
Real estate transactions and closings require legal expertise and Money Law opened in 2013 with the title fee office open ing in 2016; and, in 2022 the law and title companies became one agency known as Money Law and Title.
They also have offices located in Greenville, Sulphur Springs, Terrell, Emory, Prosper and Sherman, Texas to serve the needs of the people of the North and Eastern areas of the state.
We Welcome Back the second partner for March 26th: Catocon, Inc., owned by Jarred and Amanda Pickett. They were a partner several years ago. Catocon is a highway maintenance contractor for the state of Texas. The company started in July 1998 and provides maintenance for over 30 counties across the state.
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
MENU:
- King Ranch Chicken
- Seasoned Pinto Beans
- Salad
- Sopapilla Cheesecake
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 !!!
Vietnam Veterans Day March 29
March 24, 2025 – On Saturday March 29, 2025, at 11:00 AM, Sulphur Springs, Texas, will host a Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony at Celebration Plaza. This event honors the service and sacrifice of Vietnam War veterans.
Community members are encouraged to attend to show appreciation for these veterans.
Celebration Plaza, located in downtown Sulphur Springs, has previously hosted events honoring veterans, such as Veterans Day observances. This ceremony is part of the nationwide commemoration marking the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, with similar events occurring across Texas and the United States.
The Military Coalition will have their rifles ready for a three-volley salute. The event is hosted by the Hopkins County Marine Corp League.
“Draggieland” is Back
March 24, 2025 – A federal judge ruled in favor of the First Amendment rights of a Texas A&M student group, blocking the university’s attempt to prohibit an upcoming drag show, Draggieland, on the College Station campus. The ruling, issued today, affirms that the university’s decision to cancel the event likely violated constitutional protections of free speech and expression.
“We’re overjoyed with today’s decision,” said the Queer Empowerment Council. “This is another display of the resilience of queer joy, as that is an unstoppable force despite those that wish to see it destroyed. While this fight isn’t over, we are going to appreciate the joy we get to bring by putting on the best show that we can do.”
The student group organizing Draggieland argued that the university’s actions amounted to censorship and discrimination based on content and viewpoint. Texas A&M officials had attempted to justify the cancellation by citing concerns about the event’s nature, but the court found these reasons insufficient to override constitutional rights.
The judge’s decision reinforces legal precedent that public universities cannot suppress student expression simply because it is controversial or unpopular. The ruling aligns with previous cases affirming that drag performances are a form of protected artistic and political expression.
This case reflects ongoing legal battles over free speech and LGBTQ+ rights on college campuses, particularly in states like Texas, where political and cultural debates surrounding drag performances have intensified. With the court’s decision, Draggieland is set to proceed as planned, marking a significant victory for student organizers and First Amendment advocates alike.
The SSHS Lady Cats and the North Lamar Lady Panthers Challenged Each Other in an Exciting Game of Softball March 21st
March 23, 2025 – The Sulphur Springs High School Lady Cats played against the North Lamar High School Lady Panthers in an exciting game of softball March 21, 2025. Below is KSST’s coverage of this thrilling game that was played at Lady Cat Park in Sulphur Springs, Texas. KSST’s Sports Director John Mark Dempsey and Tony Flippin wonderfully provided Play by Play and Color Commentary. Be sure to check out this action packed game below!
Paris Junior College Honor Society Garners Awards at State Convention
March 23, 2025 – At the recent Texas annual meeting of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the two-year college honor society, the PTK Beta Zeta Chapter at Paris Junior College garnered several awards: Five-Star Chapter Award, College Project Award of Merit, the Outstanding Officer Award, and recognition of PJC President Dr. Stephen Benson.
PJC received the Award of Merit – College Project for its Meal Train initiative. The project was created last year by PTK member Allison Warren when she learned of students who had to stay in the dorms over Winter Break and lacked transportation to shop for food. Beta Zeta earned recognition for rallying the college community to provide one hot meal a day to those dorm students unable to go home over the 2024-2025 Winter Break. This project is a finalist for national recognition.
Beta Zeta was also recognized as a Five Star Chapter, the highest distinction in PTK’s Five Star Chapter Plan, which encourages engagement in regional and international PTK programs.
PTK Chapter President Christopher Withrow was presented with the Outstanding Officer Award in recognition for his leadership in the State of Texas. He is now a finalist for national officer recognition.
“I greatly appreciate the recognition for the work that it takes to be a chapter officer,” said Withrow. “To be named as an officer worthy of PTK’s Hall of Honor is validation of the dedication it has taken to maintain our status as a Five Star Chapter, and I’m proud to receive that honor.”
Finally, Dr. Benson was inducted into the Texas Hall of Honor for New Presidents for the Texas Region of Phi Theta Kappa for his support of the Beta Zeta chapter.
“These awards are a testament to the dedication of our students, leadership and campus community,” said PJC Director of Student Life and PTK Chapter Advisor Kenneth Webb. “We are so proud of our PTK members and their continued commitment to scholarship, leadership, and service.”
In addition to his officer award, Withrow got more good news when he learned he was named a 2025 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. He will be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, in Kansas City, Missouri, April 3-5.
“The Coca-Cola scholarship was a great surprise,” Withrow said. “I am appreciative of the help that the scholarship provides toward my academic endeavors, but I am more humbled that I was chosen to receive it. The gold scholarship is a merit-based award, and to be chosen from amongst my peers, all of whom are equally qualified and deserving, is a wonderful blessing.”
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s global community leaders.”
Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing academic achievement among students at two-year colleges. Through leadership development, service projects, and scholarly activities, PTK members gain valuable experience that helps them succeed in their academic and professional careers.
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.
Weed War
March 23, 2025 -By Ronnie Wilson, Hopkins County Master Gardener
Now that spring is here and both the desirable and undesirable plants are growing again, it is time to begin the never-ending battle with weeds. It is a shame that the frigid February temperatures only seemed to harm our “good” plants, and left the “bad” ones undamaged. In order to begin combat with these weeds, it is first necessary to identify what type of weed is invading your landscape so that the proper control can be used.
Weeds are grouped into 3 categories—Broadleaf, Grasses, and Sedges. Each group has different structure as well as growing habits. Broadleaf weeds can be identified by looking closely at the stems, which are solid, can vary in shape, and are often branched. The leaves of these plants will vary in number, are wider than grassy weeds, and will have leaves at various points on the stems. Examples of broadleaf weeds include henbit, chickweed, dandelion, clover, thistle, dollarweed, and curly dock.
The group of grassy weeds has hollow stems that can be round or flat. Leaves of this type of weed are usually grouped by twos, and they will alternate from one side of the stem sides. Common grassy weeds include crabgrass, Dallis grass, rye grass, sandbur, Johnson grass, and the insanely hard to control Bermuda grass.
Sedges may be the easiest to identify as their stems are solid, have a triangular shape, and the waxy leaves are clustered in a group of three, growing from the same point on the stem. Sedges grow and spread from underground rhizomes or tubers, and do best in excessively moist areas. Purple and yellow nut sedge and green kyllinga are common sedge “weeds”.There are numerous controls for weeds on the market, and a trip to the local garden center can be extremely confusing. Some products prohibit weed seeds from germinating (pre-emergents), some disrupt the cell membranes of the plant (MSMA, DSMA), while others prevent the amino acids necessary for plant life (glyphosate). All herbicides are labeled with the active ingredients, a list of the weeds controlled, and with instructions for use. These directions must be followed exactly for best results. Blindly spraying “weed killer” in your landscape not only wastes money, but doing so can kill desirable plants, grass, and even trees. If in doubt about which herbicide to use, ask for help at your garden center, or visit the A&M Extension website: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu
All pre-emergent products must be applied several months before the seeds begin to germinate, and have no effect on any weed you can see. Two brands of this type are Dimension (for grassy weeds), and Gallery (for broadleaf weeds).
Post-emergent herbicides include those products containing DMSA or MSMA for grassy weeds, while 2,4-D is effective for broadleaf weed control. For sedges, product brand names Sledgehammer or Image are useful.
The very popular herbicides Round Up and Finale are non-selective herbicides, meaning these products kill all types of plants. Although these glyphosate-based herbicides are very effective, gardeners should be extremely careful where they are used, as desirable plants can be killed by only a few drops.
And lastly, there is always the tried and true, old fashioned methods of weed control—hand pulling and using a hoe. With this method, there is no need to identify your weed adversary, just attack until the weeds’ roots are reaching for the sky! Cheap and 100% effective, the old ways also have the benefit of giving you more time in the garden, as well as being a source of outdoor exercise!
