Welding is Only One of Many Courses Offered at Paris Junior College
ADVICE
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding instructor John Plemons, left, critiques a 2G pipe welding project being completed by student Charles Duffey Jr. of Campbell. For information regarding the welding program call 903-885-1232.
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.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report 6-19-2023 – 06-25-2023
Arrests:
McCormick, Michael, 23 years of age, of Quitman, was arrested 6-21-2023 on 3 Winnsboro Municipal Court Warrants and a Wood County Warrant.
Morgan, Richard, 40 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 6-22-2023 for Driving While License Invalid with previous convictions and 2 Winnsboro Municipal Court Warrants.
Crow, Tammy, 57 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 6-24-2023 for Violation of Bond Conditions.
Womack, Richard, 37 years of age, of Pittsburg, was arrested on 6-25-2023 for Resisting Arrest and Interfering with Public Duties.
Davis, Andrea, 41 years of age, of Pittsburg, was arrested on 6-25-2023 for Resisting Arrest and Interfering with Public Duties.
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 218 calls for service during this reporting period
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 40 citations and 26 warnings
during this reporting period.
Region 7 Announces Mineola ISD 2023 Regional School Board Of The Year
June 16, 2023- The Region 7 Education Service Center has announced Mineola ISD Board of Trustees as the 2023 Regional School Board of the Year.
The MISD Board of Trustees will serve as the regional representatives in this year’s Texas Association of School Administrators School Board Awards Program.
This honorable recognition highlights the board’s exceptional leadership, dedication to academic excellence, and commitment to the well-being of students within the district.
The Mineola ISD board members include Glen Dossett, Rodney Watkins, Jill Quiambao, Jay McGough, Janice Etheridge, Todd Morgan, and Robbie Ballard.
The Mineola ISD Board of Trustees dedicated this prestigious honor to the late Dr. John Abbott.
Abbott, who was a board member until his passing on April 21, 2023. He left an indelible mark on the district and the lives of countless students.
The Board of Trustees is committed to fostering a sense of community and service. Their dedication spans to donating to food banks and supporting the Spanish community, exemplifying their commitment to inclusivity and compassion.
Mineola students continually excel and make marks at state competitions, with the 2022-23 Mineola Yellowjackets boys basketball team securing the esteemed title of quarterfinal champions.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital News Release 6/26/2023
Sulphur Springs, Texas, June 26, 2023 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Tables on Sale for Designer Handbag Bingo
Tables went on sale Saturday for the popular Designer Handbag Bingo. Tables include eight packets which allow players to participate in the ten regular rounds of bingo. Additionally, each packet includes a drink ticket and an entry card for door prizes. Designer Handbag Bingo will be held on Thursday, August 3. This is a fundraiser for the local nonprofit, the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation. Tables run $550 and are available online at handbagbingo23.givesmart.com. Add on items, such as cards to play in the two bonus rounds, additional drink tickets, additional game cards, as well as additional game packets are also available online in advance. To purchase these items, a ticket for the evening is required.
A raffle for a mystery designer handbag valued at approximately $2,000 is also available online and anyone, attending the event or not, may purchase tickets. If not attending, the winner may pick up the handbag locally the next day. To learn more about the event, visit the Designer Handbag Bingo website at handbagbingo23.givesmart.com. The Foundation is an IRS 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit that is now in its 26 th year of serving Hopkins County. All funds raised are used to improve local health care by purchasing equipment or funding programs through CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs and the Hopkins County Hospital District.
Innovative Local Orthopedic Care
The recent trend in orthopedic care has more doctors practicing in large cities. Most surgeries occur in urban hospitals, so patients must travel for care. However, in Sulphur Springs, patients can access world-class orthopedic care at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. Travel isn’t necessary; the clinic provides expert care for any orthopedic injury or condition.
Christopher Meltsakos, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained sports medicine doctor at the clinic, loves helping injured athletes. His patients benefit from his extra training and passion for healing.
“I realized as an orthopedic doctor I can help athletes get back to the sports they love,” said Dr. Meltsakos. “In a short time, they are playing at the same level as before the injury.”
Christian Douthit, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained hand specialist, works with Dr. Meltsakos at the clinic. He is an expert in hand and shoulder problems, peripheral nerve surgery, orthopedic trauma and sports injuries.
“I believe in meeting the needs of my patients through technical expertise and surgical care but know it’s also crucial to have open communication about the care plan,” said Dr. Douthit. “When we work together, it’s far more likely for our patients to have a great outcome, and that is our goal at the clinic.”
Doctors Meltsakos and Douthit perform advanced orthopedic surgeries at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. Mother Frances is the first and only hospital in the area to offer the transformational Stryker’s Mako® Robotic-Arm assisted joint replacement. For rehabilitation, patients have access to the Mother Frances state-of-the-art Physical Therapy Outpatient Clinic.
The CHRISTUS Trinity Orthopedic Clinic continuously improves its capabilities to meet community needs. The clinic recently introduced Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. A PRP injection uses a patient’s plasma to help heal orthopedic injuries. It is minimally invasive, effective and helps patients avoid painkillers.
To learn more about our Orthopedics program or to schedule an appointment, call 903.885.6688.
Independence Day Concert and Fireworks This Saturday Night
The annual Independence Day Concert and Fireworks event will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023 on Celebration Plaza. The NETexas Symphony Orchestra will play starting at 8 p.m., and the fireworks extravaganza will begin at dark.
The North East Texas Symphony League works hard all year long to accumulate enough funds to pay for this free-to-the-public event. Their main fundraising event is hosted at the KSST Studios each fall.
ERCOT Announces Weather Watch Through June 30
ERCOT, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, has issued a Weather Watch from June 25 – 30 due to forecasted higher temperatures and higher electrical demand. Grid conditions are expected to be normal during a Weather Watch. ERCOT continues to monitor conditions closely and will deploy all available tools to manage the grid and will continue our reliability-first approach to operations.
ERCOT set a new June peak demand record of 79,304 MWs on June 19. ERCOT’s 6-day Supply and Demand dashboard is showing the possibility of a new all-time peak demand record next week. The dashboards will update in real-time as the week progresses. There is currently enough capacity to meet forecasted demand. Last year, ERCOT set 11 new peak demand records, surpassing 80 GWs for the first time ever. The current record of 80,148 MWs was set on July 20, 2022.
ERCOT encourages everyone to sign up for grid condition notifications through the Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS) at https://www.ercot.com/txans. Texans can also monitor real-time and extended grid conditions at https://www.ercot.com.
Pruning Tomato And Pepper Plants By David Wall
Many have never heard of pruning tomato plants except for those pesky secondary branches and the central stem top a month before frost to force the plant into ripening the final fruit. Now, we’re learning
there’s more to do.
For tomato plants, is pruning necessary? For determinate plants, the answer is usually no. They produce a crop and are finished by late July to early August, so why bother. For determinate plants (grow until killed by freeze), pruning has few advantages. Getting rid of branches growing at a 45° angle from the base of horizontal branches is really just a waste of time.
Topping the central stem for both determinate & indeterminant at around 4’, however, strengthens the central stem and facilitates more branches, and the branches are where the fruits are produced. It also stimulates the branches to produce more flowers. Improved branches produce more fruit overall. Topping in Late October forces the plant to put more energy into ripening the final fruits.
There are basically no downsides to topping/pruning indeterminate tomato plants. Topping a determinate plant, however, may cause the main stem to struggle and limit the total harvest. Again, why bother. Once the plant is at least one’ tall, begin pruning the bottom branches to allow more air and light to reach what will be the lowest branches. By the time the plant is 3’ tall, the lowest branch should be at least 12” above ground level. Plant branch pruning (trimming) provides healthy, strong plants that avoid branches with fruit on them snapping, damaging or destroying the plant.
Pruning pepper plants allows more light and air to reach the plant. Prune branches to 6” above ground for small varieties and 12” for larger plants. Too much foliage at the bottom keeps needed oxygen from reaching the plant.
Cumby Police Stop Speeding Vehicle: Find Drugs
June 26, 2023 – Cumby Police stopped a Range Rover near mile marker 111, Sunday afternoon. The vehicle was travelling eastbound at 94 miles per hour.
The driver, BRIAN STEWART ROBERTSON age 48 of Grapevine TX, was found to be out-on-bond with restrictions. Those restrictions forbid him to be in contact with a certain woman and child. A woman and child were seen inside the vehicle. Robertson was asked to exit the vehicle. As he did, he stuffed something between the front two seats. When questioned about what he had stashed there, he gave several excuses and was evasive and deceptive.
Police asked for permission to search the vehicle and Roberson consented. Between the seats police found a small bag containing cocaine.
Robertson was restrained and placed in a patrol car. His bond was set at $30,000 and he is charged with:
1 481.134(D) POSS CS PG1/1B <1G DFZ IAT 481.115The female passenger’s purse was searched and revealed a full bottle of THC gummies. BAKAJ, CELESTE age 29 of Frisco, explained that a ‘Buddy’ had given her the THC at a party.
Bakaj’s bond was set at $10,000. She is charged with:
1 481.116(D) POSS CS PG 2 >= 4G < 400G
Due to the proximity of a park, their charges were enhanced. Both Robertson and Bakaj were transported to Hopkins County Jail without incident. The Range Rover was impounded.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Three Arrested After Drugs Found in Their Car
June 24, 2023 – A late evening drive, and a minor traffic violation on Cranford Ave in Sulphur Springs, lead to three arrests for illegal narcotics Friday.
After Sulphur Springs Police saw a minor traffic violation, a traffic stop was initiated. Police made contact with the three occupants of the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. The driver, Brian Lynn Matthews age 44 of Precinct 4, appeared nervous when contacted. Matthews was asked to exit the vehicle and he complied. When asked if he was nervous, he said he wasn’t. When asked if there was anything illegal in his vehicle, he said there wasn’t. When asked if his vehicle could be searched, he granted permission.
With everyone out of the vehicle, a search of the vehicle began. A glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine was found along with a bag containing approximately 30 grams of methamphetamine.
When Matthews heard this news, he attempted to flee the scene. After a brief chase through yards nearby, Matthews was assisted back to the scene.
Interviews with the accused continued. The male occupants wished to speak with police, but the female occupant did not. None of the three claimed to know anything about the meth or the pipe.
Matthews was charged with:
1 481.115(D) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G
1 38.04(B) EVADING ARREST DETENTIONThis is not the first time Matthews has been in Hopkins County Jail. In 2021 he was arrested after a brief struggle with law enforment. See that story here.
Jerry Wilkerson, Jr, age 44 who lists himself as unemployed, was charged with:
1 481.115(D) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G
This is not the first time Wilkerson has been in Hopkins County Jail. In 2018 he was arrested after being caught with methamphetamine. See that story here.
Doris Rosamarie Russell, unemployed age 34 of Emory, TX, was charged with:
1 481.115(D) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G
At the time of her arrest, Russell was on probation. There was also a warrant for her arrest for Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility. This is not the first time Russell has been in Hopkins County Jail. In 2021 she was arrested after her sewing kit was found to contain methamphetamine. See that story here.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Failure to Stop Lands Two in Jail
June 15, 2023 – A pair of Texas residents landed in jail after a late night failure to stop at Main Street intersection.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies observed an older Dodge Ram Pickup make an incorrect stop at the intersection of Magnolia and Main Street. That intersection is just a few block east of Downtown Sulphur Springs.
A traffic stop was initiated. When deputies made contact, they noticed the two occupants where evasive, withheld information, and continuously looked around the inside of the vehicle. The driver, JOHNNY LEE GIVAN of Mabank, TX, gave consent to search the vehicle.
A glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine was found hidden inside a lunch box. A baggy containing methamphetamine was found under the driver’s side seat cover. Neither Givan or the passenger, SHELLY RENEE TOWNSEND age 57 of Gun Barrel City, claimed ownership of the contraband.
The incident occurred in a drug-free-zone. Both were arrested and transport to Hopkins County Jail without incident. The pickup was impounded. Both were charged with:
1 481.115(C) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
