Winnsboro Police Activity January 16-22, 2017
Two arrests, one accident, 136 calls for service, 43 citations issued, and 37 warnings written as Winnsboro Police complete the report period January 16-22.
On Thursday, January 19, Patrick Ryan, 26, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 under 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone, Tampering or fabricating physical evidence, Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 3 less than 28-grams Hydrocodone in a Drug Free Zone, Possession of Controlled Substance Penalty Group 3 less than 28-grms Alprzolem in a Drug Free Zone, and Possession of Marijuana less than 2 oz in a Drug Free Zone.
Saturday, January 21, James Kidd, 34, of Winnsboro was arrested for public intoxication.
There was a minor two vehicle accident in the 8900 block of West Broadway with no injuries on Wednesday, January 18th.
PJC Modifies Workforce Programs
The Paris Junior College Board of Regents has approved the modification of three workforce programs – vocational nursing, networking/CISCO, and mechatronics – to comply with new state requirements and better meet local industry needs.
Changes to many programs began when the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board mandated 60-hour degrees. PJC’s associate degree nursing program was already modified. Now the LVN program certificate will have the same material taught in fewer hours.
Changes to the Computer Networking/CISCO and Mechatronics programs come in response to industry advisory committee recommendations. Advisory committee requests are forwarded by faculty to the Curriculum and Instruction Committee, which then forwards approved ideas to the board of regents.
“They’re paying to hire folks,” said Vice President of Workforce Education John Spradling of the industry advisors, “and we’re responding to what they design.”
In other business, the Regents:
- Received the monthly financial report showing PJC’s income remains ahead of expenses.
- Authorized commissioning of PJC police officer Christie Buzbee (full-time) and Richard Adams (part-time).
- Discussed options for redistricting across Lamar County. A meeting has been called for Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m. to allow regents to hear from the redistricting attorney.
- Received an update on community college tuition rates statewide, showing PJC remains below the state average in both in-district, out-of-district, and out-of-state tuition and fees. Initial budget bills filed in the Texas legislature have significant funding cuts for community colleges.
- Approved the employment of Campus Police Officer Christie Buzbee and Educational Talent Search Advisor Tiffany Dawes, and the resignation of Accounting Instructor Shannon Brown and Licensed Vocational Nursing Instructor Tiffany Crenshaw.
Musical Instruments at PJC-Sulphur Springs Campus
Texas Named Automated Vehicle Proving Ground
“With five of the nation’s 15 fastest-growing cities in Texas and our population expected to potentially double by the year 2050, Texas must be a leader in new technology that addresses transportation challenges,” said Texas Department of Transportation Deputy Executive Director Marc Williams. “This partnership puts Texas at the forefront of automated vehicle technologies that likely will shape the future of transportation around the world.”
Texas’ booming population and economy make it an ideal test site for automated and connected vehicle technology. This technology is increasingly being developed and tailored to address congestion and increase safety, by reducing human error. It also offers opportunities to improve how people and goods move throughout their communities and the nation at large. Testing it, in different environments and uses, is an important step in assuring these technologies will be safe and reliable.
Texas was one of 10 regions selected from an applicant pool of more than 60. Texas offers a unique statewide capability, starting with existing controlled environments on research campuses such as Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin and the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) Campus in San Antonio. Texas’ additional testing environments are available in several municipal and regional areas, and include unique settings such as barrier-separated lanes, medical districts, transit bus corridors and border crossings. These varied and unique test sites will help the USDOT develop guidelines for automated vehicle technologies.
The rapid rate at which this technology is progressing will ultimately require a formal testing plan to be developed and approved by the appropriate state and local agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Department of Motor Vehicles. Until then, initial testing will take place on closed research proving grounds.
TxDOT joins the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Transportation Research (CTR), Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and 32 municipal and regional partners to form the Texas AV Proving Grounds Partnership.
Lady Cats Dominate Pine Tree in 70-27 Win
The Lady Cats’ basketball team outscored Pine Tree handily in each quarter to take a dominating , 70-27 win at Longview Pine Tree Tuesday night. The Lady Cats led 19-5 after one period, 36-11 at halftime and 51-21 after three quarters.
Sadavia Porter and Kaylee Jefferson each scored 18 points. Sheretta Hill scored 15 points, Autumn Tanton had 9 points, Tori Moore had 6 points and Daieyshia Pruitt 4 points. The Lady Cats shot 50% from the floor including 3 of 10 from three-point range. The Lady Cats hit 21 of 34 free throws or 62%. The Lady Cats collected 36 rebounds and Jefferson had a team high 13. Tanton and Hill blocked two shots. Porter had 8 steals. Pruitt led the team with 3 deflections and 5 assists. The team committed only 15 turnovers.
The Lady Cats improved to 9-0 in district play. Their season record is 23-3 and they have won 16 games in a row.
The Lady Cats next play Marshall in Wildcats Gym Friday night. During their first meeting at Marshall on January 3, the Lady Cats clobbered the Lady Mavs 85-12.
Injured Iwuakor Returns to Game to Propel Wildcats to Overtime Win
The Wildcats’ basketball team was finally able to pull away from the pesky Pine Tree Pirates in double overtime winning 66-56 in Wildcats Gym Tuesday night.
The Wildcats were cruising along in the game until sophomore center Victor Iwuakor fell to the floor hard apparently bruising some ribs early in the third quarter. He courageously returned late in the fourth quarter and propelled the Wildcats to victor in overtime and double overtime with his accurate foul shooting and his defensive blocks and steals. Iwuakor hit 9 of 10 foul shots plus a basket in overtime and double overtime. He ended up with a game high 23 points. Senior guard Ke’Ontae Dunn had 4 double overtime points and ended with 17 points. Iwuakor went out with the injury with about 7 minutes left in the third quarter and the Wildcats leading by 17, 32-15. Pine Tree began to chip away and the Pirates finally tied the game at 47-47 with a three pointer with just 4 seconds left in regulation. The Wildcats last shots would not fall forcing overtime. Both teams scored 7 points in overtime. Finally the Wildcats broke away with points from Iwuakor and Dunn in double overtime outscoring Pine Tree 12-2.
The Wildcats improved to 6-1 in district play and 21-5 for the season. Pine Tree slipped to 2-5 in district play. The Wildcats travel to Marshall Friday night.
Senate Bill 1 Could Limit A & M University-Commerce Ability to Recruit and Retain Faculty
By Scott Cason
COMMERCE, TX—The $8.8 million budget reduction proposed under the latest version of Senate Bill 1 (S.B.1.) in the Texas State Legislature has the potential to halt planned enrollment growth and diminish the ability of Texas A&M University-Commerce to continue to deliver a high-quality, affordable and accessible education.
The greatest impact of the proposed budget reduction under S.B.1. will be on the university’s ability to recruit and retain faculty. A&M-Commerce President, Ray Keck, who is scheduled to testify before the Senate Finance Committee this week stated, “These cuts would have a devastating effect on our mandate to grow. If they remain as projected, we may have to look at capping enrollment since we will lose a large number of faculty lines.” A projected loss of more than 50 faculty positions will affect ongoing efforts to serve current students, increase the time it will take to complete a degree, and raise cost of attendance and associated student debt. In addition, implementation of S.B.1. is expected to impact the university’s ability to support minority mentorship programs, meet regional workforce demands, and deliver on plans to expand program offerings in critical fields including nursing and engineering.
S.B.1. is also expected to adversely affect plans to expand competency-based education statewide. The Institute for Competency-Based Education is one program expected to be most impacted by the proposed budget reduction. A&M-Commerce’s competency-based program, the Texas Affordable Baccalaureate (TAB), provides an affordable pathway for students with little or no former college experience: the first accredited program of its kind in Texas. In the fall of 2016, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board presented A&M-Commerce with the Star Award, recognizing the “exceptional contributions” of the program towards reducing the future cost of higher education. Under S.B.1., the program stands to lose nearly $1.5 million in funding. An additional anticipated $1 million reduction in funding will impact the university’s Dual Credit program and is expected to affect nearly 582 students who count on the program to reduce the future cost of attending college after high school. A&M-Commerce also delivers accessible educational experiences through a range of high-quality online program offerings. The anticipated budget reduction resulting from S.B.1. is expected to adversely impact online program support and new program development, which could affect approximately 4,000 online students.
Seventeen New Members Inducted into SSHS National Technical Honor Society
Monday evening 17 new members were inducted into the Gerald Kennedy Chapter of the Sulphur Springs High School National Technical Honor Society. The honor society honors those students who achieve in the field of technical studies such as health science, family consumer science, agricultural science, education and training, business and marketing. Along with the certificate of membership, students who are members may access applications to specific scholarships for further education.
Sulphur Springs Lions Club Meets and Eats
The Sulphur Springs Lions Club meets each Tuesday at the Pizza Inn in Sulphur Springs, TX. Tail Twister Don Sapaugh was in attendance. The service club recently served lunch at the Dinner Bell at the First United Methodist Church. President Candace Ashmore wants to encourage everyone to join Lions Club. She notes that it’s not just a men’s organization.
The Lions Club will be partnering with the Pilot Club for the annual Hoop Dreams event starting late January 2017. Click here for an article on Hoop Dreams 2016.
Texas Lions Camp signup is currently in full swing. The club not only helps financially support the outstanding work at Texas Lions Camp but we also scholarship local children with special needs to attend these camps. Please click HERE to find more information about Texas Lions Camp.
“We Serve”, Lions Club meets Tuesdays at Pizza Inn in Sulphur Springs.
Cumby Robotics Teams Score Again!
ZbotTeam 6834Z set a world record for winning by the widest margin in the vex robotics competition in Bonham last Saturday.
Both teams worked together to win 1st place in the tournament and 1st place in the skills competition.
