A & M Commerce Nursing Program In Top 50
By Mary Grace Rodriguez
COMMERCE, TX—The Texas A&M University-Commerce Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has been recognized as one of the top 50 residential nursing programs in the nation by TopRNtoBSN.com. A&M-Commerce ranked #50 overall.
In calculating rankings, TopRNtoBSN began by considering accredited schools that offer accelerated programs. It then determined the “net cost” of the program and graduation rate as well as admission selectivity, as determined by the U.S. Department of Education. Within its ranking, TopRNtoBSN “sought to highlight programs that have good reputations, support students in their studies, and provide a good economic value.” It found that students find all of these benefits at A&M-Commerce.
“This is quite an honor for a BSN program that is less than four years old,” stated Dr. Barbara Tucker, Chair of the Nursing Department. “The program is fortunate to have experienced faculty who are all advanced practice nurses and excellent administrative support.”
The nursing program began in 2013 and will find permanent residence in a new facility slated to open in 2019. The facility itself will be equipped with its own simulation hospital and state-of-the-art research laboratories. The brainchild of late President Dan R. Jones, the new facility will house not only the Department of Nursing but also the Department of Health and Human Performance and the Biomedical Institute for Regenerative Medicine (BIRR).
Two Point Win For Saltillo Tuesday
The Saltillo Lions’ basketball team won a nail-biter over Dodd City, 52-50 in Saltillo Tuesday.
The Lions entered the fourth quarter up by four, 36-32 and then hung on for the win. Walker McGill led the Lions with 14 points and Lyle Bench added 11. Other Lions scorers included Michael Simmons with 9, Logan Camp with 8, Trevor Moore with 6 and Branson McGill and Clayton Wilson with 2 points each. The Lions improved their season record to 4-6.
They will play next in a McLeod tournament Thursday through Saturday. Meanwhile the Saltillo Lions JV remained unbeaten as they defeated the Dodd City JV, 31-9 Tuesday. They are 4-0 this year. The Lions JV will play in an Alba Golden tournament next.
“Corrected” Council Approves Patrol Vehicle Bids; Hears Value of Police Body Cams During December Meeting
The value of police body cameras and patrol vehicle cameras in use in the city was presented to the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night during their December meeting. The city is one of 35 cities in Texas that have the equipment in use for all officers and vehicles. The body camera is always running according to Police Chief Jay Sanders and the video covers a 180-degree range around the officer. Video from the cameras are stored in a cloud-storage for 120 days before it goes away.
Council approved a bid from Texas Country Ford of Winnsboro for vehicles following a lengthy discussion and parliamentary moves. Some members of the council contended that a Sulphur Springs dealership should be awarded the bid to keep the money spent in the local city economy.
In other action, the council heard that sales tax for the city is up 11.4% over the previous year. The city manager also reported to the council regarding current work in the city (See report here).
Property at the Municipal Airport will be rezoned to light industrial. The rezone will place all property owned by the city at the airport under the same zoning. The rezoning will allow for aviation-industrial development at the site.
Also following a lively discussion, the council voted to enter a sublease agreement with the Economic Development Corporation for lease/purchase of a 100’ x 100’ hanger at the airport.
The city approved a 20-year franchise agreement with ONCOR. The agreement memorializes the process that has been followed for the past five to six years without a formal agreement.
Oncor rates will see a two-year increase of 6-cents per month for city residents and 99-cents for all but one commercial business to fund the underground electrical lines under Tomlinson Street.
The city council is also seeking a policy for rental of the city council chambers and conference room.
All other items on the agenda were passed by the council.
Local Pastor Asks City Council to Regulate Payday, Auto Title Loan Establishments
Payday loan and auto title loan shops were called into question during public forum by a local pastor during the Sulphur Springs City Council meeting Tuesday night. Pastor Dr. Joel Tiemeyer asked the council to consider an ordinance regulating those businesses that offer payday and auto title loans and charge what he called exorbitant fees to those who borrow. He pointed out that those who borrow from these establishments are often under financial stress before as well as when they borrow.
Tiemeyer stated the average payday loan 14-day fee for the loan is $75 and that fee is paid every 14 days until the loan is payed off. Interest is also charged on the loan. At auto title loan establishments, the fee on a $4000 loan is $1200 every 14 days. That amount does not include principle and interest on the loan. He called this type of fee a burden on the borrower.
Currently in Texas there are 3200 payday and auto title loan establishments and 14-million people use them according to Tiemeyer. Thirty-five cities in Texas have passed ordinances that regulate payday and auto title loan agencies. Although the state has not passed laws to outlaw these businesses, some cities have. He asked for an ordinance in the city that would regulate these businesses here.
Although the council could not respond under laws that govern public forum, City Manager Marc Maxwell stated he had attended a break-out session concerning the subject of payday and auto title loans during a recent conference in Austin. He noted that some cities are being proactive in their approach to the payday, auto title loan matter. He stated some cities are actually offering loan options that allow payback with payroll deduction and without exorbitant fees and high interest rates.
Tiemeyer presented the council with a copy of an ordinance adopted by the city of Temple. He said that the ordinance would provide a template for thought regarding an ordinance in Sulphur Springs.
You’re Invited to County Line Baptist Church Dedication on Dec 11
COUNTY LINE PASTOR WAYNE DARTY AND 74-YEAR MEMBER LEWIS WATTS VISIT KSST
Since 1898, there has been a County Line Baptist Church in the community of the same name, on property located near the Hopkins/Rains County line on Hwy. 275 south of Miller Grove. There have been at least four different church buildings plus additional buildings that have housed the congregation for the past 108 years. On December 11, 2016, a new all-in-one facility will be dedicated. You are invited to be there from 2-4pm to attend the dedication service and meet Pastor Wayne Darty, the deacons and church family as well as individuals who helped in the building process. This group includes members of the Texas Baptist Men and their wives, who volunteered more than six weeks of service during various phases of the construction. Read below for a history and photos of County Line Baptist Church.
PAINTING OF THE ORIGINAL CHURCH LOCATION INSIDE SCHOOL HOUSE, 1898
COUNTY LINE CHURCH BUILDINGS IN 1935 AND 1954
2016 COUNTY LINE BAPTIST CHURCH
City Manager’s December Report
marc maxwell
City Manager Marc Maxwell made his monthly report to the Sulphur Springs City Council Tuesday night, December 6th. In his report:
BILL BRADFORD ROAD – Concrete street and curb & gutter improvements are underway on Bill Bradford Road. 5W Contracting has poured concrete from Gilmer Street nearly to Elm Street. All utility work is complete. Later on tonight’s agenda is an item to approve concrete for the last 1,000 feet of the project.
DAVIS/TOMLINSON PARKING LOT – The parking lot is finished with the exception of irrigation and turf installation which will occur sometime this month.
LOCUST STREET – The Capital Construction Division has replaced the sewer main from the KCS railroad tracks to Bellview Street. We recently hired a contractor to bore under the railroad for water and sewer improvements. We are about to begin water improvements. Atmos is currently replacing the gas main.
CLAIMS – We had two minor worker’s compensation claims in November. We had one significant liability claim arising from an auto accident involving the police department. We also had one smaller claim from a driver who struck a utility cut.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Total suspended solids (TSS) came in at 2.31mg/L, well within the limit of 15 mg/L.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Sold 1,187 gallons of AvGas and 6,990 Gallons of JetA fuel.
- Responded to 111 fire/rescue calls including 4 structure fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 90 fire hydrants.
- Replaced 14 street signs.
- Mowed around Coleman Lake.
- Removes trees from Coleman Lake dam.
- Shredded around Peavine Pinion Pond.
- Patched 349 potholes.
- Mowed/shredded the airport.
- Made street repairs following 16 utility repairs.
- Decorated downtown for the Christmas season.
- Responded to 159 Animal Control calls, achieving a 46% adoption rate.
- Made 74 arrests, recorded 64 offences, wrote 632 traffic citations, and responded to 32 accidents.
- Checked out 2,510 items from the library.
- Began remodeling the dispatch office.
- Repaired 20 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 16 water meters.
- Unstopped 12 sewer mains.
- Repaired 9 sewer mains.
- Washed 80,000 linear feet of sewer mains.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Treated 126 million gallons of potable water.
Wildcats Exhibit Strong Defense; Defeat North Lamar
On a night when the offense struggled some, the Wildcats’ basketball team relied on strong defense to defeat North Lamar, 59-33 in Wildcats Gym Tuesday night.
After a close first quarter that saw the Wildcats lead only 14-13, the Wildcats gave up only one second quarter point and 7 third quarter points to expand their lead to 37-21 after three quarters. The Wildcats increased the lead with a 22-12 fourth quarter.
Michael Jefferson led the Wildcats with 11 points. Bryson Lynn added 10 points including 2 three-point baskets. Victor Iwuakor and Dedric Godbolt had 9 points apiece. Iwuakor had a dunk after a rebound and an end to end dribble and Godbolt hit a three pointer. Ke’Ontae Dunn scored 8 points. Ten Wildcats scored points. Iwuakor and Xavier Cork had a good night rebounding for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 8-1. They open the Thursday through Saturday Central Heights tournament in Nacogdoches against Newton Thursday at 1 p.m.
Blanket Drive For Seniors Warms as Donations Begin Tuesday
Santa for Seniors new blanket drive received a warm welcome by those who donated blankets and money. Withing the first hour of the event on Celebration Plaza Tuesday night, the box was filled and drivers stopped at the intersection of Gilmer and Main Streets to donate funds. The event is sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Corvette Club and the Senior Citizens Center.
The Senior Citizens Center will receive the donations and distribute the blankets to Hopkins County seniors who are in need of warm blankets during the cold winter months. Karon Weatherman, Director of the Senior Center, stated that the success of the program last year has assisted in promoting the work again this year. All the blankets donated last year were placed in the hands of those in need and the blankets received this year will also be put to good use for those in need. 
Donations will be received Wednesday night from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. KSST will be doing a live remote from Celebration Plaza.
Raza, Reeder, Wallace Sentenced Tuesday
Three individuals were sentenced in Eighth Judicial District Court Tuesday afternoon, December 6, 2016.
Mohammad Shabeeh Raza, who was found guilty November 16, 2016, of online solicitation of a minor pled guilty Tuesday as he began the process for a second trial. The second trial was necessitated by an incorrect admonition given the defendant by his attorney. Instead of facing a second trial, Raza pled guilty and received 10 years in prison, probated for 5 years, a $1,000 fine, and confinement in Hopkins County Jail for 30-days as a condition of probation. He is now a convicted felon. Once his five years of supervision is concluded, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the following 10 years.
Raza, who at the time of his arrest in December 2015 was a systems engineer living in Kansas City, Missouri but has family in Plano, was admonished by his defense attorney that the charge was a third degree felony and that he faced up to 10 years in prison for the charge. As Judge Eddie Northcutt began the sentencing plan, it was found that under statue his action qualified as a second degree felony and not a third degree felony requiring a more lengthy prison stay. That raised the question would he have taken a plea agreement instead of trial? Raza had been texting who he thought was a 15-year old female. Instead Raza, arrived at a local convenience store on a December Sunday following a holiday stop with friends in the Dallas area and had just finished shaving in the store restroom when he exited the restroom and was taken into custody by Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County law enforcement.
Patrick Lee Wallace, 49, was sentenced to three years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice following a trial before the court for Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or More, a Felony 3. Wallace offense dates back to November, 2012. He recently violated probation.
Jonathan James Reeder pled guilty to Arson, a Felony 2, and was sentenced to four years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Reeder’s first arson offense dates back to December, 2013.
