Education is Paramount at Paris Junior College, no Matter the Subject
TEACHING MOMENT
Welding Instructor John Plemons, right, and Lab Facilitator Karl Jansson, center, work closely with Abraham Diaz, a student at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Welding Shop. The structural welding student 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.
Prevent the Spread of Invasive Pests and Diseases
October 20, 2023 – Don’t move firewood, prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas A&M Forest Service urges all Texans, and especially outdoor enthusiasts, to help reduce the spread of oak wilt and invasive insects by taking preventive measures and being cautious when collecting, transporting and purchasing firewood.
As Texans travel for hunting or camping trips, they may unknowingly be bringing deadly, invasive pests and diseases along for the ride if they bring firewood with them.
“Many devastating, tree-killing pests present in Texas forests live and breed inside firewood,” said Demian Gomez, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Forest Health Coordinator. “Some wood borers, such as the invasive emerald ash borer and redbay ambrosia beetle, have already caused devastating impacts, practically wiping out entire tree species from some regions of the country.”
The emerald ash borer, present in North Texas, has killed millions of ash trees across the eastern U.S. The redbay ambrosia beetle continues to spread west from the southeast, killing redbay and sassafras trees along the way. Similarly, native pathogens such as oak wilt, have killed oak trees in Central Texas in epidemic proportions.
Since insects like the emerald ash borer do not travel extreme distances naturally, it is presumed that firewood transportation was the origin of the emerald ash borer introduction in Texas which also intensified its rapid spread in the last few years. Since its introduction to Texas, the emerald ash borer has been detected in 14 counties, making it essential that firewood users display extreme caution.
Forest pests and diseases cause severe ecological and economic impacts over time. While they can spread on their own, accidental transport by humans is one of the main ways they move greater distances, sometimes quickly jumping state and county lines. Firewood is the common way many of these pests are moved, regardless of how seasoned or old the firewood is. Even wood that looks clean and healthy may still have insect eggs or fungal spores that can start new infestations.
“We can limit the spread of invasive tree pests,” said Gomez. “The best rule of thumb is to burn the firewood near where it’s bought or picked up. Moving firewood can easily introduce insects and diseases to new areas, particularly during hunting and camping seasons.”
For diseases like oak wilt, this is critical. Transporting and storing infected wood from red oaks can spread oak wilt fungal spores to previously uninfected neighborhoods and properties. Because live oaks tend to grow in large, dense groups, oak wilt spreads quickly, and one infected tree can lead to large patches of dead and dying trees.
Even after letting firewood season for one to two years, firewood users should refrain from transporting the wood as it is still capable of spreading these diseases and insects.
While firewood is an important commodity in the fall and winter, Texans can help prevent the spread of these pests and diseases by purchasing, collecting and burning firewood locally.
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Is it OK to Switch Between AC and Heat During the Fall?
October 20, 2023 – Warm fall days can turn chilly once the sun goes down—enough that you might be tempted to run your air conditioning during the day and then turn on the heat at night.
If it’s hot enough during daylight hours for the AC and cool enough over night for the heat, there’s really no harm in using both on the same day. However, it’s a good idea to ease one system off before switching on the other. Here are a few tips for a good transition:
- Air conditioning systems run in cycles. Once the house reaches the temperature you have set on your thermostat, it will cycle off. You’ll hear it when that happens. Before you turn your AC off, listen for it to complete its cycle. Short cycling can cause the AC compressor to lock up.
- Wait five minutes after you turn the AC off before you switch on the heat. This grace period will give the refrigerant in the AC a chance to normalize, which can prevent circuits from tripping if the transition to the heater is too abrupt.
- Avoid drastic thermostat changes. Once the AC is off, raise the temperature just a few degrees and then wait for the heat to rise to that temperature before raising it anymore. This prevents your heating system from overworking, which is inefficient.
- In the morning when it is cool, open the blinds to let the daylight naturally warm rooms but block the sun before it gets too warm, so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work so hard.
- Anticipate the evening temperature drop and stop running your air conditioner before the weather cools down.
- Put extra blankets on your bed to feel warmer and try to avoid having to run the heater overnight. If the morning is chilly, wear extra layers and slippers until the temperature warms up.
Farmers Electric Cooperative serves Northeast Texas with safe and reliable power. With more than 80,000 members, Farmers EC strives to be recognized as an exceptional cooperative by our members, employees, and communities.
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SSISD Wildcats Face the Paris Wildcats Tonight
October 20, 2023 – The Sulphur Springs Wildcats travel to Paris, TX tonight to face the Wildcats at Paris High School. The SS Wildcats are 6-1 and the Paris Wildcats are 3-4. This is a District Game. KSST will interrupt the Texas Rangers, if needed, to broadcast this entire game.
Click here for a map to Paris High School.
Game Starts at 7:30PM. You can listen live on KSST AM 1230. We will stream the game via YouTube.
Crimestoppers Looking For Murder Suspects
October 20, 2023 – The Red River County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help finding Keari McCain, 28, Quentence Doolittle, 23, and Jack Galbert, 29, who are all wanted for murder.
The Red River County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding three men wanted for murder. Red River County shared fliers from the Lamar County Crimestoppers describing murder suspects Keari McCain, 28, Quentence Doolittle, 23, and Jack Galbert, 29. Harvest Hines, III, 26, a fourth wanted man, has been captured. Anyone with information that leads to the arrest of any men can anonymously contact Lamar County and Red River County Crimestoppers for a cash reward of up to $1,000 at 903-785-TIPS or 903-427-TIPS.
Celina ISD Wins Ag Mechanic Build-Off
October 20, 2023 – The students of Celina ISD won the 2023 Help-A-Child Welding Competition this year.
The student team from Cumby ISD placed 8th over all, just behind Sulphur Springs ISD.
Twenty four schools entered 36 teams this year. Due to continued demand, Help-A-Child was forced to set the limit at 36 total teams. “This event, and Help-A-Child is getting bigger every year. And that helps more kids.” said Michael Bowen Como Picton FFA Advisor. “It’s great to see these student, helping area children through Help-A-Child.”
The top 3 entries will be actioned off on Saturday, and the proceeds will go to Help-A-Child efforts.
Help-A-Child kicks off early Saturday morning at the Civic Center.
Texas A&M University-Commerce Is Growing
October 19, 2023 – As of today, Fall 2023 enrollment stands at 11,983 students, which is a 7% increase in overall enrollment compared to the same time last year. This represents one of the highest enrollment percentage increases in The Texas A&M University System. The biggest enrollment jump was among first-time freshmen, with a remarkable 22.1% increase over last year.
What’s fueling this upward trend? According to Nechell Bonds, Vice President for Enrollment Management, it’s the university’s dedication to providing high quality educational opportunities that prepare our students for success, including those from low-income and first-generation backgrounds.
Bonds explained that the university makes an exceptional education accessible through affordable tuition, generous scholarships, comprehensive advising and support services, flexible online programs, and other innovative solutions.
“We will continue to offer high-demand, high-quality degree programs while keeping higher education within reach for all families,” Bonds said.
Bonds also mentioned that Fall 2024 application numbers are already up 15% from pre-pandemic levels. She encourages students to submit their applications by the December 1 priority deadline as the university predicts continued record growth.
A&M-Commerce President Mark Rudin emphasized that rising enrollment numbers reflect the university’s commitment to the students it serves.
“We don’t just talk about transforming lives; we live by those words,” Rudin stated. “Our growing enrollment numbers reflect our dedication to meeting students’ needs and demonstrate that we are, without a doubt, a destination institution in Northeast Texas and beyond.”
ERCOT Already Planning For Potential Winter Problems
October 19, 2023 – As we enjoy the cooler temperatures of fall, it reminds us that winter is soon coming. Earler this week, the agency that manages the state’s electric grid came together to talk about it and so much more. After a record-breaking summer, there will be much to prepare the grid for ahead of the winter.
ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas told the organization’s board the Public Utilities Commission they have sent out a request to purchase enough back-up power for 600,000 homes an hour (3,000 megawatts per hour). They hope to have this deal completed by December when winter cold brings power complications.
In short, the amount of power generated in Texas is not keeping up with the state’s population and industrial growth, per Vegas.
“To build a power plant, you start the concept today and in two to four to five years depending on the type of power plant you’ll have something come online,” he said.
The types of power planted needed, per Vegas, are known as dispatchable power, the more traditional power plants like natural gas plants that can be turned on by humans and do not rely on the sun or the wind. Voters will weigh in this November on whether the state should put $10 billion towards encouraging plant construction.
It signals to the market and to the public that we have a potential problem this winter because the market has not provided the level of dispatchable resources that Texas needs,” said ERCOT Board member Bill Flores.
In the summer, the power grid’s most vulnerable time is when Texans return home from work and begin using their appliances, around 7 or 8 pm. In the winter, the grid will be most vulnerable in the mid-morning when it’s still dark outside – eliminating solar power as a resource – and Texans are beginning to wake up to use energy before they go to work.
According to an ERCOT analysis, they predict this December there’s a 4.3% chance of a controlled power outage every day around 8 AM. That chance goes up to 14.4% if there are similar conditions to last year’s December cold snap.
While the summer might feel like a distant memory, just a little over a month ago the metroplex was pushing 110 degrees in early September.
The cloud cover could impact the solar generation in the state, which ERCOT said the grid has become more reliant on than in the past. Solar helped get the state through high-demand days this summer but it might not be as helpful this winter, which is why natural gas storage and completed plant maintenance in time for winter is key.
Social Security Beneficiaries To Get Raise in 2024
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Information for 2024
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024.
The 3.2 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 66 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2024. Increased payments to approximately 7.5 million SSI recipients will begin on December 29, 2023. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits)
Read more about the Social Security Cost-of-Living adjustment for 2024.
The maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) will increase to $168,600.
The earnings limit for workers who are younger than “full” retirement age (see Full Retirement Age Chart) will increase to $22,320. (We deduct $1 from benefits for each $2 earned over $22,320.)
The earnings limit for people reaching their “full” retirement age in 2024 will increase to $59,520. (We deduct $1 from benefits for each $3 earned over $59,520 until the month the worker turns “full” retirement age.)
There is no limit on earnings for workers who are “full” retirement age or older for the entire year.
Read more about the COLA, tax, benefit and earning amounts for 2024.
Medicare Information
Information about Medicare changes for 2024 will be available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries receiving Medicare, their new 2024 benefit amount will be available in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security’s Message Center.
Your COLA Notice
In December 2023, Social Security COLA notices will be available online to most beneficiaries in the Message Center of their my Social Security account.
This is a secure, convenient way to receive COLA notices online and save the message for later. You can also opt out of receiving notices by mail that are available online. Be sure to choose your preferred way to receive courtesy notifications so you won’t miss your secure, convenient online COLA notice.
Remember, our services are free of charge. No government agency or reputable company will solicit your personal information or request advanced fees for services in the form of wire transfers or gift cards. Avoid falling victim to fraudulent calls and internet “phishing” schemes by not revealing personal information, selecting malicious links, or opening malicious attachments. You can learn more about the ways we protect your personal information and my Social Security account here.
More Traffic Signals Coming to Hillcrest Near I-30
October 18, 2023 – Crews have been working quickly to erect new traffic signals on the West Loop in Sulphur Springs. The new lights on State Highway 11/State Highway 19 are at the intersection of Hillcrest Drive and the entrance to the new truckstop north of I-30.
The truck stop is nearing completion, and it’s two entrances will soon be connected to local streets. One of those entrances are at the new signals, and the other is on the north service road near the entrance to Coleman park at Gossett Lane.
They will also control traffic to and from the Woodbridge Crossing entrance. No word on when they will activate, but be cautious in the area until drivers get accustomed to the addition.
