Texas A&M President Kathy Banks To Retire Immediately
Chancellor John Sharp today announced Dean Mark A. Welsh III as acting President after Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks submitted a letter late Thursday announcing she would retire immediately.
The announcement comes after the Faculty Senate passed a resolution Wednesday to create a fact-finding committee into the mishandling of the hiring of Dr. Kathleen McElroy, a University of Texas professor, former New York Times journalist and graduate of Texas A&M University, class of 1981.
In June, the university announced the hiring of McElroy to revive the school’s journalism program, but that fell apart as the details of the job offer changed from a position with the possibility of tenure to a one-year professor of practice appointment, with the option to renew.
At the Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday, President Banks denied knowing about the changes in the job offer but took responsibility for a flawed hiring process after a wave of national publicity suggesting McElroy, who has done research on diversity and inclusion, was a victim of “anti-woke” hysteria and outside interference in the faculty hiring process.
Public universities in Texas are in the middle of eliminating offices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to comply with recent state legislation.
In her resignation letter to Chancellor Sharp, President Banks wrote, “The recent challenges regarding Dr. McElroy have made it clear to me that I must retire immediately. The negative press is a distraction from the wonderful work being done here.”
Two years ago, Dr. Banks became the 26th President of Texas A&M University after a decade of excellence as Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering at the university. She led efforts for the Texas A&M System to become the only university in Texas to help manage a national weapons lab, the Los Alamos National Laboratory; created EnMed, a program training engineers to become medical doctors; and oversaw dramatic enrollment growth at the nation’s largest engineering school.
Chancellor Sharp thanked Dr. Banks for her years of service and named Welsh as acting president until a national search can find Dr. Banks’ successor.
Welsh, a retired Air Force general, is the Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service.
President Kathy Banks’ Resignation Letter
Chancellor,
First, thank you for the opportunity to serve at this wonderful university. It has been an honor of a lifetime.
The recent challenges regarding Dr. McElroy have made it clear to me that I must retire immediately. The negative press is a distraction from the wonderful work being done here.
I wish Texas A&M nothing but the best. It has been a privilege to serve under you.
Kathy
Handbag Bingo Sponsors
Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab is bringing smiles and a sleek bag to Designer Handbag Bingo. Stephanie Stephens and Amanda Yarbrough show off the MCM handbag which will be a prize at the annual bingo event hosted by the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation.
Everything Unique owners Carrie and Steve Nuckolls can’t wait to see who wins the bag they are sponsoring for the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Designer Handbag Bingo. This YSL stunner is sure to make the winner happy!
Sister Babyz owner Maci Fowler loves to sponsor a Louis Vuitton bag for Designer Handbag Bingo. This year, she chose the Speedy with guitar strap modeled by Chandler Bain and Maddy Powell. Who will be carrying this lovely around town after bingo?
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs provides quality health care to our region. They are also providing this quality Valentino Garavani Rockstud bag, in hospital colors, for a bingo winner to take home after the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Designer Handbag Bingo. Photographed with the bag are hospital staff Fr. Justin Riley (left) and Paul Harvey (right), joined by Kayla Price of the Foundation.
Jordan’s Place Pediatrics is passionate about child health and community health. To support both, they have chosen to sponsor Designer Handbag Bingo, the proceeds of which will be used to provide support to local health care initiatives. Displaying the Chloe bag Jordan’s Place is sponsoring is Dr. Sherri Barclay (seated), Andrea Alvarez, Stephanie Hawkins, Chandra Oud, and Macy Sims.
WADLEY-HODGES Arrested at Parole Office
July 21, 2023 – CHARLI CIERA WADLEY-HODGES was arrested this week at the Parole Office in Sulphur Springs. She is charged with possession of controlled substance.
Twenty-eight year-old Wadley-Hodges, who lists herself as unemployed, was arrested in 2021 in connection to the murder of Luis Martin Medina. Medina was beaten, stabbed to death and his body burned inside a vehicle. The motive for his murder is believed to be related to non-payment of rent. See that story here.
Wadley-Hodges avoided murder charges in that case and was only charged with one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence.
Bond for Wadley-Hodges is set at $30,000. She is currently charged with:
1 481.112(C) MAN/DEL CS PG 1 >= 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.
Ongoing Investigation Lands Pair In Jail
July 21, 2023 – Heather Ann Lisenby, aka Michelle Mae Masters, is in Hopkins County Jail facing several charges. Her partner, BERTRAM, SAMUEL AUSTIN of Hopkins County, faces similar charges. They were recently identified in surveillance video at a store in Greenville, TX.
Their arrests center around a stolen GMC, and the use of the victims credit cards and documents.
Both individuals were arrested at a precinct 4 address. Once arrested and read their rights, both allegedly confessed to the charges. Both list themselves as unemployed. Bond for Lisenby is set at $60,000.
They are both charged with:
1 481.115(C) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=1G<4G
1 31.07 UNAUTH USE OF VEHICLE
1 31.07 UNAUTH USE OF VEHICLE
1 32.51(C)(1) FRAUD USE/POSS IDENTIFYING INFO # OF ITEMS <5
1 31.03(E)(4)(A) THEFT PROP >=$2,500<$30K
This is not the first time Lisenby has been in jail. In 2022 she was arrested in Dallas County and charged with:
DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED 3RD OR MORE IAT ( Bond: 0.00 )
EVADING ARREST DET W/VEH ( Bond: 0.00 )
POSS MARIJ <2OZ ( Bond: 0.00 )
In 2010 she was convicted of Forgery. Lisenby was also convicted of possession of methamphetamines’ in 2008.
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.
Paris Junior College Students Get Hands on Training in Various Areas of Study
LAB WORK
Students Laney Hurst and Maicey Burkes work on patient care duties as part of their laboratory work during a recent certified nurse aide class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus.
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.
$2 Billion Dollar Theme Park To Open In Oklahoma
VINITA, Okla. -Today Oklahoma state and local officials joined American Heartland leadership to announce American Heartland Theme Park and Resort, a more than $2 billion entertainment destination development in northeast Oklahoma, just west of Grand Lake on Route 66. The development will be built in phases starting with a large-scale RV park with cabins scheduled to open phase one in spring 2025 and a world-class theme park and resort scheduled to open in 2026. The American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will offer a unique visitor experience rivaling the world’s top resort destinations.
“We are thrilled to make Oklahoma the home of American Heartland Theme Park and Resort,” American Heartland CEO Larry Wilhite said. “At the crossroads of the heartland, Oklahoma is an attractive location for a family entertainment destination. The state’s business-friendly approach and innovative partnership efforts have helped make this possible. We look forward to bringing unforgettable generational experiences to Oklahoma.”
American Heartland will be a 1,000-acre development with a 125-acre theme park, which is comparable to the size of Magic Kingdom® Theme Park and Disneyland® Park. The park will feature an Americana-themed environment with a variety of entertaining rides, live shows, family attractions, waterways as well as restaurant-quality food and beverage offerings.
“Oklahoma is excited to welcome American Heartland Theme Park and Resort,” Oklahoma State Rep. Rusty Cornwell said. “Located on historic Route 66 just west of Grand Lake, the development will attract visitors from around the world to experience and celebrate the rich cultures and hometown values America has to offer.”
The adjacent 320-acre Three Ponies RV Park and Campground, designed by Oklahoma architects ADG Blatt, will be the largest campground in the central U.S. with 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins plus amenities.
“There’s no better place to represent the heart of America than northeast Oklahoma,” said Oklahoma State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom. “This $2 billion investment in our state will create more than 4,000 jobs and introduce a new category of entertainment to the region, and its long-term economic impact will be transformative. Tourism is already one of Oklahoma’s top industries and this project will elevate our state even further. Since tourism is a doorway to economic development, American Heartland Theme Park and Resort will draw new businesses not only to the surrounding area but also throughout the region and state.”
The developer is American Heartland whose leadership has deep Oklahoma roots. American Heartland is an affiliate of Mansion Entertainment Group, LLC, Branson’s leading performing arts, animation and studio brand.
Led by Executive Producer Steve Hedrick, the design team is made up of the world’s best theme park designers including 20+ former Disney Parks builders and Walt Disney Imagineers. Design firms include THG, FORREC and Cuningham, whose portfolios feature the world’s foremost theme park brands including Six Flags, Disney Parks and Universal Studios.
“We are pleased that American Heartland Theme Park and Resort has taken the first step and chosen Oklahoma to build a world-class entertainment destination,” said Hopper Smith, interim director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “We look forward to assisting with this project as it develops.”
American Heartland Theme Park and Resort is a family-friendly park promising timeless fun and boundless adventure. The 125-acre theme park will feature a collection of six distinctly American lands to welcome guests on a journey through the best of the American story. Families will find thrilling rides and heartwarming shows as they discover Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village and Electropolis.
“American Heartland will be a place families can come together to create lasting memories, experience joy, laughter, imagination and wonder,” American Heartland Founder and Chief Creative Officer Gene Bicknell said. “There is so much to celebrate about our country: its landscapes, its cultures and most importantly, its people. No matter where you’re from, you’ll feel right at home at American Heartland.”
The development will also include a top-tier 300-room hotel and modern indoor water park.
“American Heartland will be an anchor tourist destination on Route 66 set to attract more than two million out-of-state visitors to Oklahoma each year,” Kristy Adams, senior executive vice president of sales and marketing for Mansion Entertainment Group, American Heartland and Three Ponies, said. “The scale and quality of the development will be unlike anything else in the region, making Vinita, Oklahoma a can’t-miss destination for families around the world.”
Learn more at americanheartlandthemepark.com and threeponiesrvparkandcampground.com.
Almost 64,000 Texas Borrowers Will Have Their Federal Loans Forgiven
Almost 64,000 Texas borrowers will have their federal student loans forgiven after a U.S. Department of Education review concluded they qualified for the benefit.
The total amount to be forgiven will be just roughly $3.1 billion, average of $48,500 per borrower.
The move is unrelated to President Joe Biden’s now-defunct student debt forgiveness plan, which was blocked by the U.S. Supreme Court last month. This forgiveness plan only applies to borrowers with federal loans taken more than two decades ago.
The plan states It will affect borrowers whose debts should have been canceled but weren’t due to “past administrative failures,” according to the Department of Education.
Income-driven repayment plans calculate borrowers’ monthly payments based on their annual income to make sure repaying their loans doesn’t represent an undue burden on their finances. Borrowers make monthly payments for 20 to 25 years, depending on the type of loan. After that term, whatever balance remains pending on their loan is forgiven.
All of the borrowers identified in the review — including 63,730 in Texas, the state with the most borrowers benefiting from last week’s announcement — were notified that their debt would be automatically canceled in 30 days.
The department of education has stated that it will continue looking for those who qualify for the debt forgiveness until next year.
All borrowers who would’ve qualified for an income repayment plan and have reached 240 or 300 monthly payments — depending on the type of federal loan they have — will be eligible for forgiveness. To determine eligibility, the Department of Education will take into account every month in which loan payments were made, but also periods of time in which the borrower requested a pause in payments because of economic hardship or illness. Months in which the borrower defaulted on their loan will not be considered toward meeting the forgiveness threshold.
The Department of Education’s review is meant to fix a program that is supposed to benefit mainly low-income borrowers but has yielded few results. Since the first income-driven repayment plan was implemented in 1994, only 157 loans had been forgiven as of 2021, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The Department of Education estimates that borrowers on average would see their total repayments fall by 40% under the SAVE plan. Lower-income borrowers would see a reduction of 83% and, on average, Black, Hispanic and Native American borrowers would have their total lifetime payments cut in half, according to the agency.
Local Deer Hunters Need To Be Aware of CWD
Chronic Wasting Disease is a Real Threat to Texas Deer
AUSTIN — This year, hunters in Texas will notice an increase in messaging about Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and its impacts to the state as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) launches a new public awareness campaign.
The campaign aims to share information with hunters and the public about how they can help protect Texas deer and stop the spread of this deadly disease.
“Many have asked, ‘What is CWD?’” said TPWD Wildlife Division Director John Silovsky. “Our goal is to create a greater awareness of the presence and consequences of CWD on the Texas landscape.”
CWD is a highly transmissible, fatal neurological disease that effects species of cervids (members of the deer family), including white-tailed and mule deer. As the disease continues to spread through the native deer population, TPWD hopes Texans will be ever more vigilant. Proper carcass disposal and CWD testing for each harvest are the greatest contributions a hunter can make to prevent further spread of the disease and assist with necessary surveillance across the state.
“CWD isn’t a disease where people can afford to stick their heads in the sand,” said TPWD Big Game Program Director Alan Cain. “The outreach effort is meant to generate discussion, educate folks about the disease, current CWD regulations, and what we can do to manage the disease. We have an obligation to current and future generations of Texans to be good stewards of our native deer species.”
A recent study from the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute estimated that Texas hunters and landowners spend $4.3 billion a year in their pursuit of Texas white-tailed deer. The significance of CWD’s impact on Texas deer may not be recognized this hunting season or even the next. Left unmanaged or uncontained, the hunting heritage we cherish and opportunities for future generations could forever be diminished by CWD.
“Texans are still learning about CWD, but we know they love their state and its wildlife,” said Deputy Communications Director Cory Chandler. “This campaign will call on hunters, landowners and the public’s appreciation for Texas deer to build awareness about CWD, reinforce TPWD as a reliable resource, and build hunter participation in testing and proper carcass disposal.”
Over the next few months, when you see a CWD billboard or a sign when pumping gas, visit the TPWD website and learn how you can help. The message is clear: CWD is 100 percent fatal. We can all do our part to stop the spread to Texas’ native deer population.
The campaign will drive people to a redesigned CWD webpage. The updated page now features easily accessible maps of surveillance zones, check station locations, information about testing requirements and access to hunter harvest test results.
69th Annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course By Mario Villarino
The 69th annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course in Bryan-College Station will offer some cutting-edge ranch technology, along with basic beef cattle production information. The annual event is set for Aug. 7-9, with more than 1,900 cattle producers expected to come to the Texas A&M University campus, making it the largest event of its kind in the nation. The event is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Department of Animal Science. Both in-person and online attendance is offered. The cost is $260 for in-person attendance and $160 for online if registered by Aug. 2. The price will increase to $300 after that date. To register, go to https://tx.ag/BCSC23Reg or call 979-845-6931 for more information.
Jason Cleere, Ph.D., conference coordinator and AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in the Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station, said they have made a special effort to highlight advancing ranch technology this year. “We added a session specifically dedicated to beef cattle technologies,” Cleere said. “Some topics include precision livestock data management, cattle electronic monitoring and artificial intelligence on the ranch. As more data is collected on ranches, ranchers need ways to manage it to improve profitability.” There are also several new companies that will showcase their technologies during the trade show, Cleere said. More than 140 companies are expected at this year’s trade show, he noted. “We believe this year’s Beef Cattle Short Course offering is shaping up to be one of the best ever, and the interest from ranchers thus far has been great,” Cleere said. The special session on technology will be from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 8 as a part of the Cattleman’s College sessions.
The following are the topics and speakers: Optimizing Ranch Profitability by Managing Your Livestock, Grazing and Team All in One Place — Coby Buck, AgriWebb director of strategic accounts, Wray Ranch, Wray, Colorado. The Intersection of Technology and Genetic Acceleration: Shaping a Sustainable Beef Industry — Kerryann Kocher, CEO and co-founder of Vytelle, Kansas City. Leveraging Drones for Cattle Management: How, What and Why? — Meir Ginsburg, CattleQuants co-founder and director of business development, Cleveland, Ohio. Computer Vision for Animal Care — Geoffrey Shmigelsky, co-founder of OneCup AI, Vancouver. The Possibilities of Ranch Tech and the Role of Remote Monitoring — Andrew Coppin, Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions, co-founder and CEO, Sydney, Australia
Grant Program Offers Boost As Rural Fire Departments Battle Recruitment Challenges
Grant program offers boost as rural fire departments battle recruitment challenges
The US Forest Service is providing grants to help rural volunteer fire departments across the country. The Texas A&M Forest Service is helping to get information out to those departments to help the small departments use the funds to provide services to the small communities.
The Plantersville-Stoneham Volunteer Fire Department sits across from the town’s Baptist church on F.M. 1774 and is otherwise surrounded mostly by pastureland. The community, a quiet railroad town in southern Grimes County, measures its population in the hundreds.
But Plantersville isn’t isolated. The nearby Texas Renaissance Festival draws thousands of people each fall. Sprawling Conroe is only a 30-minute drive away, and urbanization is just down the road in other parts of neighboring Montgomery County.
Fire Chief Jessica Bomar believes the growth may be moving toward the community faster than many people realize, and she is working to position her department to be prepared for the additional calls for service the future holds.
Staffing the rural department hasn’t always been easy. When Bomar became chief in December, there were eight volunteers. In just a few months, the department has added five new members through a community outreach campaign that included recruitment information at community events.
“We would love to be able to respond to medical calls,” Bomar said. “We just need more members.”
A shortage of volunteers is a challenge facing rural fire departments across the state. To help combat the issue, Texas A&M Forest Service recently introduced a new grant to help departments bolster staffing and enhance community fire protection.
The Volunteer Recruitment Resources grant is available through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program to certain volunteer fire departments that serve rural communities or areas with a population of 10,000 or less and meet other basic federal requirements.
The $3,000 grants can be used to purchase banners, signs, billboards, flyers, postcards and other approved items. The grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis and nearly $300,000 has been awarded to more than 100 departments so far. Funding for the program is provided by the U.S. Forest Service.
Jason Keiningham, Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department Head, said the pilot project is an attempt to help departments attract people dedicated to serving their communities and he anticipates additional funding to become available next fiscal year.
“Volunteer fire departments are the front line of defense for many communities, and we recognize the challenges they face in recruiting new members,” he said. “Through these grants, we hope to inspire individuals to step forward and make a meaningful difference in their community.”
Bomar said she’s including all the Grimes County fire departments in her plans for the recruitment grant her department received.
“We’re hoping to work in unison with the other departments to coordinate recruitment efforts, so we all get the benefits,” she said. “We want to blast it everywhere between all the departments.”
Bomar, who joined the department in 2019, said she could use the grant funding to help battle misconceptions about serving in the department, including the myth that you have to respond to fires.
“You don’t have to run into burning buildings to be a firefighter,” she said. “That’s not all that we do. There are a lot of things you can do to help — public service, community events, school visits, teaching about fire safety.”
There is almost always something happening at the fire station, Bomar said, and all it takes is a willingness to help the community.
“If you want to be involved, show up and be involved,” she said. “We could use the help.”
Keiningham said the grant program was not meant to be a one-time solution, but a step toward sustained recruitment efforts.
“We understand the need for rural fire departments to have a strong volunteer base,” he said. “We want to help empower residents to participate in the well-being of their communities.”
Applications for the Volunteer Recruitment Resources grant are available at http://TexasFD.com/RuralVFDAssistanceProgram.
