It’s Now Time to Register for Fall Classes at Paris Junior College
GETTING STARTED
LaDaria Hill of Sulphur Springs is getting started at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center with the help of Paris Junior College EOC Coordinator Courtney Boehlar, standing. Enrollment for the fall semester is underway at the campus. Call 903-885-1232 for information.
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.
Dinner Bell Menu For August 23, 2023
Today we honor and recognize the service of the Hopkins County United Way to our great communities in Hopkins County. Together we are UNITED to care for the needs of our neighbors. The portion of the funds collected and distributed to Dinner Bell buys groceries and supplies to prepare weekly meals. Thank you to the local United Way organization and workers. A big thank you to ALL citizens who participate in the United Way campaign.
GRAB and GO with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway (porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus starting around 10:30 on Wednesday.
MENU
PIMIENTO CHEESE, TUNA FISH SALAD, AND CHICKEN SALAD ON LETTUCE
MARINATED VEGETABLE SALAD
CRACKERS
DO NOTHING CAKE
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AS COVID AND FLU ARE AROUND THE CORNER! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
Governor Abbott, TXDOT Announce Record $142 Billion Transportation Investment
Aug. 18, 2023
AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott today announced a record $142 billion in total investment for Texas’ transportation infrastructure. The record investment includes the unanimous adoption of the $100 billion 10-year statewide roadway construction plan with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for transportation projects to enhance safety, improve congestion and connectivity, and preserve Texas roadways. This is a $25 billion increase in total investment from the previous year.
“Thanks to our booming economy, Texas has achieved a major milestone in our transportation infrastructure with this record $142 billion investment that will strengthen our roadways and build a next-generation transportation network,” said Governor Abbott. “Through this record transportation investment project, the State of Texas will further improve roadway congestion and safety to meet the growing needs of Texans in our large metros, rural communities, and everywhere in between. This plan will not only connect Texans from every corner of our state, it will also bolster our economic growth and ensure Texans and businesses continue to thrive for generations to come.”
“This historic investment in our transportation system is critically important to help meet the needs of our fast-growing state,” said Texas Transportation Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. “Thanks to the leadership of Governor Abbott and our Texas Legislature, Texas continues to see growth in the transportation investments needed to support a world-class transportation system focused on safety and congestion relief.”
“This plan will help the lives of all Texans for years to come as we work to move people and goods safely and efficiently in our rural, urban, and metropolitan areas,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “TxDOT is already putting these resources to work with a record number of projects aimed at improving safety and saving lives on our roadways.”
In February, Governor Abbott announced TxDOT’s proposed 2024 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), estimated to be $15 billion more than the 2023 UTP. With the State of Texas providing a majority of the funding, the 2024 UTP includes a total investment of over $142 billion for all development and delivery projects, right of way acquisition, engineering, routine maintenance contracts, and UTP construction funding. The over $10 billion of average annual investment programmed in the UTP over the next 10 years is expected to bring an estimated $18.8 billion per year in economic benefits, per the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s analysis. These benefits are a result of increased labor income and business output, as well as the addition of 70,500 direct and indirect jobs.
Many of the projects in this plan are roadway segments identified on Texas’ 100 Most Congested Roadways list. Texas Clear Lanes congestion-relief projects will see an increase in funding, supporting $66.7 billion total investment for completed, under-construction, and planned non-tolled projects since 2015. Funding for rural projects also increased to $19.2 billion, a major jump from $2.2 billion in the 2016 UTP.
The UTP is a planning document that guides the development of transportation projects across the state. Additionally, the UTP identifies public transportation, maritime, aviation, and rail investments. Projects are selected by TxDOT and local transportation leaders based on effectiveness in addressing criteria such as safety, pavement condition, capacity, and rural connectivity, with opportunities for public input at the both the state and local levels.
More information on the UTP projects is available here.
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Learn More About Doing Genealogical Research at the Lunch and Learn Event August 23rd
The Hopkins County Genealogical Society invites everyone who wants to learn more about doing genealogical research to join them Wednesday, August 23rd. Bring a sack lunch, salad, or drive-through meal and meet with the Genealogical Society from 12:00pm to 1:00pm at the genealogy library, 611 N. Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
This month during “Lunch & Learn,” Pat Goggans will be presenting the third part in HCGS’s series’ using FamilySearch entitled, “Building a Family Tree,” plus a surprise look at Wiki.
Please join Pat as she navigates through these two topics. You’re welcome to bring your laptop.
Joy of Hope Promises to Help the Vision Impaired
August 17, 2023 – Joy of Hope, Inc is the vision of founder Johnny Wheat. His goal is to open a live-in facility for blind people here in Hopkins County.
It will be a learning center to teach vision impaired people how to live without having to rely on others 100% of the time. This facility will rival ones in Austin, TX and other parts of the Nation.
Joy of Hope board members include Sulphur Springs Optometrist Andrew Yoder, O.D., Mary W. Hendrix, Ph.D, Ron Stanley, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom and Brent Barclay.
At this point, Joy of Hope is just getting their feet off the ground. “We are trying to get the word out about the Joy of Hope, and it’s mission.” said Yoder. Brent Barclay said, “I am looking forward to serving the board, and helping to make Sulphur Springs a better place for the blind.”
There will be a press conference on the steps of the Hopkins County Courthouse on Monday August 21, 2023 at 11AM. Wheat and board members will be on hand to give details on the project.
Texas Attorney General Shoots Down Franklin County’s Fight Against Solar Plant
August 17, 2023 – Angela Comenero who is serving as provisional attorney general for the State of Texas dealt a blow this week to nearby Franklin County who has been searching for solutions to fight proposed solar plants.
Angry residents in Franklin County have asked their county commissioners to impose restrictions on proposed solar farms in their county, including a 180-day moratorium on commercial solar development. The county attorney in Franklin County has warned that the moratorium may not be enforceable. County commissioners later rescinded that order and the county attorney asked for an opinion on the matter from the State Attorney General’s office back in February of 2023.
In May of 2023, the serving Attorney General Ken Paxton was removed from office as the 149 member House of Representatives voted to impeach Paxton. Paxton could not continue serving in his position as he faces those charges. Brent Webster was immediately named as acting Attorney General and then a few days later, Governor Greg Abbott named former Texas Secretary of State John Scott as interim Attorney General. In early July of 2023 Governor Greg Abbott then named Angela Colmenero as the current interim Attorney General.
With all of the controversy and changes in the State of Texas Attorney General’s office, it seemed that Franklin County’s request had gotten lost in the shuffle, but Colmenero did indeed issue an opinion on the matter stating that Texas law doesn’t give county governments specific authority to ban the development of solar farms. Although the law does give counties control over roads and public health, those same laws would not cover a ban of a solar farm.
Gary E. Smith is an attorney representing some residents in Franklin County and doesn’t believe that the attorney general’s opinion will slow down the fight for the residents. Smith mentioned the residents as well as the commissioners of Franklin County, should be enforcing codes relating to transportation, health and safety. Smith indicated that the fight will continue.
Rural residents all over Texas are attempting to fight the huge Solar companies which are almost exclusively owned by foreign entities as these companies lease thousands of acres and clearing the land to install hundreds of thousands of solar panels. Smaller nearby land owners, which the companies are not interested in their land, suffer the consequences of noise pollution, diverted water runoff, and having their serene surroundings destroyed.
Unfortunately, the final damages won’t be known for some time, as most of the tax abatements will run for 20 years. The local school districts and county commissioners retain some power by not allowing the tax abatements or negotiating better deals with the billion dollar companies.
Veteran Meal-A-Day Volunteer Driver Plans to Leave
August 16, 2023 – With eleven years of Meal-A-Day delivery experience, this college bound volunteer will leave us… someday. Her delivery efforts began with her mother at the wheel. Now old enough to drive on her own, she continues to serve others. Soon she will head off to college, possibly Yale. (Notice the shirt.)
Anyone can make a difference at Meal-A-Day. You can drive, navigate, cook, or donate to the effort. If you would like to be a volunteers driver, call Amanda at 903 885 1661.
Hopkins County Genealogical Society and Hopkins County Historical Society Annual Joint Meeting to be held August 24, 2023
It is time again for the Hopkins County Genealogical Society’s annual joint meeting with the Hopkins County Historical Society. This year it will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., in the Winifred Building at Heritage Park, 416 Jackson Street North, Sulphur Springs, Texas. (This event replaces our regular third Thursday meeting held at the library)!
Once again Paula Altenbaumer will be portraying a historical pioneer woman of Hopkins County. This year she will be presenting the Hargrave family, a very early and prominent family here.
We hope you will join us for this always enjoyable presentation. Light refreshments will be served following this event.
The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum has a new Interactive Sports Wall for the Kids to Check Out
(August 15 Commerce, Texas) Bringing a new dimension to the exhibits at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum is MultiBall, an interactive sports wall. This gaming platform makes sports more attractive for all ages. With precision sensors and motion tracking, MultiBall provides a variety of fun games for all ages. This exhibit will be officially opened on Wednesday, August 23 at 10:30 AM. With a variety of 40 games played with balls on a sports wall, this new exhibit will be a popular attraction to the Children’s Museum for years to come.
MultiBall can be found in only four other places in Texas, The German company which created MultiBall offers an experience that can be educational and fun. Different games are provided for a variety of ages. The exhibit is free until September 12; after that date there will be a $2 fee for an hour of MultiBall.
The exhibit is sponsored by Russell Armstrong, CFP, of Commerce. Russell has been involved with the Children’s Museum since it began 20 years ago, but this is his first sponsorship within the museum. Bob Stachowiak and Dennis Anderson built the wall and installed the accompanying projector. “Russell, Bob, and Dennis are so important to the Children’s Museum. They have been instrumental in providing this exhibit, but they have been long-time supporters of the museum, ” said Sharline Freeman, Executive Director. “We are expecting this to be one of our most popular exhibits”, Sharline continued.
MultiBall will be the second recent large exhibit to be added to the Children’s Museum. In April, a Fossil Dig was added with the sponsorship of Lake Ralph Hall, the Perot Museum, the Upper Trinity Regional Water District , and Ladonia Chamber of Commerce. The accompanying mural shows life in this area for the last 65 million years.
The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum attracts visitors from throughout northeast Texas. Projected attendance for 2023 is 50,000 visitors.
TXDOT, Law Enforcement Step up Effort to Curb Drunk Driving
New law also takes effect Sept. 1 targeting drunk drivers who kill parents of young children
Aug. 15, 2023
AUSTIN — As Labor Day approaches, TxDOT is reminding all Texans about the dangers of drunk driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced an increased enforcement period from Aug. 18 to Sept. 4. Texas law enforcement agencies are among those that will increase their efforts to pull over motorists suspected of drunk driving.
“Too many people are killed on our roads each year—especially during holidays—due to impaired driving. These crashes are inexcusable and 100% preventable,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “If you spend time with friends or family and decide to drink, make the right decision and plan ahead for a sober ride by taking a rideshare, taxi, public transit or designated driver.”
The harsh reality is people continue to choose to drive after drinking. Last year, there were 345 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes over the Labor Day holiday weekend alone, resulting in 20 fatalities and 62 serious injuries. Over the course of the year, a person was killed every 7 hours and 17 minutes in Texas because of a DUI-alcohol-related traffic crash, resulting in 1,203 people losing their lives.
The increased enforcement period comes as a new law is set to take effect on Sept. 1 that will require someone convicted of intoxication manslaughter to pay child support if they kill a parent with young children.
Erin Crawford Bowers was six-months old when her parents were killed by a drunk driver. She is now a married mother of two living in New Braunfels. She is sharing her story across Texas to prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
“I just wanted my father to walk me down the aisle or my mom to be there when I had babies,” said Bowers.
Drive Sober. No Regrets. is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.
