Bees like to Play???
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
We’ve all watched native, bumble and honey bees go about their daily task of gathering nectar and pollen before heading back to the hive to do wonderful things with the gatherings. Though we seldom pay attention, wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets all do the same. It’s almost as if they are programmed to be robots in accomplishing their tasks. BUT, as we are slowly learning, all of them like to play. Play? Yes, play. We normally associate play with larger brained animals, but playing by tiny brained insects is certainly a surprise.
Playing is defined as doing something not necessary for survival, is voluntary, differs from normal behavior, occurs in a stress-free environment, and is repeated but perhaps different each time. While all the above play to some extent, the art of playing is best personified by bumblebees!
In a large but closed environment, bumblebees were given small wooden balls., as a test to see if they could be trained to move the balls to a specific location for a reward – food. When the test began, the bees went after the balls grabbed them, and rolled them around, and then repeated the process with subsequent balls. While the experiment was begun with food as an incentive, scientists found that when the test period ended, the bees kept playing even without an incentive. Several of the balls were sprayed with different colors, but color had no real effect on the bumblebees’ behavior.
Test results indicate these insects have more complexity in their tiny brains (less than 2 cubic millimeters) than previously known, perhaps even emotions. Bumblebee emotions are something I’ve known for years as they angrily fly by at eye level telling me to leave their beloved okra flowers and then shooting me in the back if I don’t leave fast enough!!!
Hopkins County Resident Arrested for Continual Sexual Abuse
May 14, 2023 – This week, Hopkins County Sheriff Deputies received an outcry regarding sexual abuse. An emergency Child Advocacy Center interview was arranged and a report was filed with Child Protective Services. The information gathered verified the need to moved forward.
Deputies went to the alleged abusers home and transported him to the Hopkins County Sheriff Office in Sulphur Springs. During an interview with Robert Ray Infante aka Robert Infante Ember, Infante confessed to at least 10 sexual acts performed on the 13 year-old victim. The abuse occurred over the period of approximately one year.
After the interview and confession, Infante was arrested and turned over to jail staff without incident.
Infante is currently charged with
21.02(B) SEX ABUSE OF CHILD CONTINUOUS: VICTIM UNDER 14
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.
Lady Cats Softball Sweeps Van, Heading to Regional Semifinals
Coach David Carrillo and his program are headed back to to the Regional Semifinals for the first time since 2021 after sweeping Van in the third round, 2-0 and 9-1 on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Sulphur Springs plays Aubrey (31-6) in a best of three series running Wed-Friday, May 17-19. All games begin at 6:30 P.M. in Princeton.
The Lady Cats put themselves in a very good position to move on from the Regional Quarterfinals after shutting out the Lady Vandals in Emory on Tuesday, 2-0. Sulphur Springs got the win in game one thanks to stout pitching from ace Crimson Bryant, as well as bats making timely hits to give Coach Carrillo’s team the 2-0 lead and win.
Bryant pitched all 14 innings in the third round series, on Tuesday coming shy of a perfect game as the senior allowed just one hit and walked one, otherwise striking out 19 batters in Emory. She struck out 35 batters in the two-game sweep, surrendering just four hits and walking one over two days.
The bottom of the third had Graci Adair lead-off with a single, followed immediately by KK Montgomery doing the exact same. Their hits were the first for either team Tuesday, as both teams went three-up, three-down up to that point.
Velasquez sent a ball straight to the left fielder after the aforementioned batters got on-base, but that was more than enough to get Adair home from third. Emmerson Thompson made her at-bat count too, grounding out to first but again giving time for the Lady Cat on third, Montgomery, to reach home and give Sulphur Springs a crucial 2-0 lead.
That at-bat proved more than enough to get the win Tuesday, as Bryant closed out game one from there.
Game two, on Wednesday in Forney, was equally tight. The Lady Vandals made a significant improvement in just a night to find ways to make contact with the ball. Even so, Sulphur Springs got ahead in the fourth and never looked back.
With one out on the board, and only one hit up to that point for Sulphur Springs, Van at that point looked as though they were poised to draw first blood on Wednesday. Instead Crimson Bryant singled to right field to get the offense going.
Nicole Higgins then reached second on an infielder error trying to field the hit, so with only one out Coach Carrillo’s team had two runners in scoring position.
Bayler Boatman got the second single for Sulphur Springs in the inning bringing one run in, and when the following batter Adair grounded out, another runner crossed home plate. The fifth pitch Montgomery got was a wild one, allowing Boatman to come home for a huge 3-0 lead over Van.
As the game wore on, the Lady Vandals committed more costly errors, combined with some Lady Cats hits, and Sulphur Springs cruised to a 9-1 win on Wednesday. Three more in the sixth, two walks, and two hits saw Coach Carrillo’s team get five more runs in the inning.
Van would get their lone run in the following at-bat, but it made little difference besides removing the zero from the scoreboard as the Lady Cats won by eight still, 9-1.
Following the blowout win on Wednesday, May 11 Sulphur Springs has clinched their ticket to round four of the playoffs. It is the first time since 2021 that the softball team heads back to round four. This year’s squad though has the notable achievement of setting a program record for wins at 30.
Coach Carrillo and his squad have their biggest test yet in a best of three series with Aubrey (31-6). Lady Cats softball plays the Lady Chaps Wed-Friday, May 17-19.
All games in the Regional Semifinal series begin at 6:30 P.M. at Princeton H.S.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Paris District Road Report for May 15, 2023
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting May 15, 2023. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set on the mainlanes for this construction project.
Watch for a road closure of the northbound US 75 frontage road from its intersection with South Travis Street to Park Avenue, including the northbound US 75 Park Avenue exit. The closure will allow work crews to reconstruct the frontage road in advance preparation of detouring mainlane US 75 traffic at a future date. Traffic on northbound US 75 needing to exit at Park Avenue will be detoured on northbound US 75 mainlanes to the exit at Lamar/Houston and will use the dedicated u-turn to return south to Park Avenue.
Beginning on May 17 and extending thru May 20 there will be nighttime road closures of the southbound US 75 frontage road from its intersection with Park Avenue to South Travis Street, including the southbound US 75 FM 1417 exit. This daily closure is scheduled from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. This closure will allow work crews to reconstruct the frontage road in advance preparation of detouring mainlane US 75 traffic at a future date. Traffic on southbound US 75 needing to exit at FM 1417 will be detoured onto the southbound US 75 mainlanes to Exit 55 and will use the dedicated u-turn to return north to FM 1417. Message boards and signs will be placed to guide motorists during this temporary closure.
The eastbound entrance ramp to US 82 at the US 75 intersection is closed to traffic. This ramp serves as the entrance ramp to eastbound US 82 at US 75. This closure is needed to complete the construction of the US 82 eastbound Frontage Road and new entrance ramp. Motorists are advised to use the eastbound frontage road and continue east through the Loy Lake intersection and use the eastbound entrance ramp from Loy Lake Road to gain access to US 82.
Lamar Street and Houston Street under US 75 are closed to through traffic with detour signs in place to guide motorists around these intersections.
Eastbound Lamar Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Center Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to eastbound Lamar Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/5LrCpdOA8OQ
Westbound Houston Street traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Washington Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to westbound Houston Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/7jCatnI3Oq4
These switches will allow crews to reconstruct the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Lamar and Houston Streets. The US 75 northbound frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for northbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the northbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/y_uO0UmpCzk
For southbound US 75 the frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for southbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the southbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/k2EG2W9rFJY
US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on construction of new frontage road lanes.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews construct the new roadway pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a four-lane divided section with turn lanes. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project. The West Cypress Grove Road intersection on the east side of FM 1417 is closed to through traffic to allow crews to work on paving at the intersection. During the closure, traffic wishing to use Cypress Grove Road is asked to use Mimosa Drive and Redbud Trail as a detour route. Mainlane traffic has been switched to the new concrete section between Lamberth Street and SH 56.
Northbound FM 1417 at US 82 will be closed to through traffic starting May 19, weather permitting, starting at 7 p.m. and continuing through the weekend to afternoon on May 21 so crews can make the tie-in of the new FM 1417 pavement to the existing eastbound US 82 frontage road. During this period, northbound traffic on FM 1417 will shift onto the eastbound US 82 frontage road. Motorists wishing to continue northbound on FM 1417 will cross over the North Travis Street Bridge, make a left onto the westbound US 82 frontage road and then return to FM 1417. Detour signs will guide motorists through the detour route.
The annual seal coat contract to place a chip and seal treatment on the roadways in Grayson County has begun. The following roadways will receive a seal coat: FM 121 from US 377 to SH 289; SH 289 from FM 120 to SH 56; and SH 5 from US 75 to Redden Road. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 11, Grayson County: from FM 697 in Sherman to US 69 in Whitewright. Work on the pavement overlay project has begun. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers repair culverts, mill and then overlay the roadway with a hot-mix surface. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Park Road 20 in Eisenhower State Park, Grayson County. Watch for daytime lane closures within Eisenhower State Park as workers perform base repairs on the roadway and then overlay the roadway with a hot-mix surface. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82, Grayson County: from the Cooke County line to FM 131 in Sherman. Watch for lane closures as workers replace the bridge railing and guardrail approaches at each bridge structure and install median barrier. During construction, the bridge location will be reduced to one lane while crews replace the bridge railing.
US 82, Grayson County: at the Old Southmayd Road intersection. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers lengthen the existing left turn lanes on US 82 at the Old Southmayd Road intersection and add right-turn lanes.
SH 56 (Main Street), Grayson County: in Whitesboro from Union Street to Collinsville Street. Watch for daytime lane closures on SH 56 as crews work on the rehabilitation project to remove and replace the sidewalks and parking areas along the square. During construction, the front entrances to the buildings will be temporarily closed and customers are asked to enter from the rear entrances. Occasional road closures will be required with a detour route in place to guide motorists around the project. The detour route will guide traffic along Union Street, Thode Street, and Collinsville Street to get around the project.
South Travis Street, Grayson County: in Sherman at Post Oak Creek. Construction is underway for the replacement of the South Travis Street bridge over Post Oak Creek. During construction, the bridge will be reduced to one lane with traffic signals controlling traffic through the project, while the new bridge is built in phases.
Business US 377B, Grayson County: south of Whitesboro at the railroad underpass near US 377. Watch for lane closures with signals controlling traffic while crews work to upgrade the bridge railing.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Friday morning during the overnight period. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete sections. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
FS 121 (Grayson Parkway), Grayson County: from the Collin County line to FM 121. Construction is ongoing on this new-location roadway which is west of SH 289 approximately four miles. The new roadway will be two lanes with shoulders and will be an extension of the frontage road of the Dallas North Tollway. Local traffic on CR 60 (Marilee Road) and Stiff Chapel Road should expect occasional road work at those intersections, with flaggers present to control traffic. Work on FM 121 at the FS 121 intersection (formerly Scharff Road intersection) is ongoing as crews work to widen the pavement to add turn lanes. Motorists on FM 121 should expect lane shifts while crews widen the pavement and install a culvert.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday during the nighttime.
SH 5, Grayson County: from US 75 to SH 5. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hot-mix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 289, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 120. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and then blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
The annual seal coat contract to place a chip and seal treatment on the roadways in Fannin County has begun. The following roadways will receive a seal coat: US 69 from the Grayson County line to the Hunt County line, and FM 409 from FM 2029 to FM 100. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 100, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 2216. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 78, Fannin County: at the Bois D’Arc creek bridge south of FM 1629. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform bridge maintenance work on the bridge. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
CR 1320, Fannin County: at the Caney Creek Bridge is closed to traffic in order for crews to replace the bridge structure and approaches.
FM 271, Fannin County: from SH 78 to FM 68. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 34, Fannin County: from FM 64 to FM 1550. Watch for traffic shifts and traffic-signal-controlled lane closures as workers build the bridge approaches for the new SH 34 roadway at the future Lake Ralph Hall.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from SH 34 to CR 3544. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work on building the connection of the realigned FM 1550 to the existing roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 816, Fannin County: from the Hunt County line to SH 78. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 272, Fannin County: from US 69 to the Hunt County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
I-30, Hopkins County: from Hunt County Line to Franklin County Line. Watch for lane closures and short delays as crews perform concrete pavement repair.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to Texas-Oklahoma state line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews resurface the roadway and perform bridge maintenance.
FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from FM 1497 around the north loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures and traffic merges while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures and perform bridge maintenance.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from US 271 North going west to FM 79. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, crossing closures and merging traffic while crews place a bonded concrete surface and perform asphalt paving operations.
Loop 286 / US 271 South Interchange, Lamar County: from Dawn Drive going south to the North Loop 286 turn around. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, and traffic merges while crews improve guardrail and perform bridge maintenance.
Loop 286 at BU 271 (Clarksville Street), Lamar County: Exit ramp from southbound Loop 286 onto BU 271. Watch for temporary exit ramp closure while crews make repairs to adjacent metal beam guard fence.
FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 2675, Delta County: from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
BU 271 (North Main Street), Lamar County: from Santa Fe Street to one-quarter mile north of Stone Avenue. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews install sidewalk
US 82, Lamar County: at the FM 1502 intersection. Watch for temporary lane closures, and traffic and lane shifts as crews widen the roadway to install a left-turn lane and improve drainage structures.
Cedar / Church Street (Clarksville, Texas), Red River County: at the intersection of Cedar and Church Street in Clarksville, Texas. Watch for road closure while crews remove and replace the existing bridge.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
SP 302: Hunt County (From SH 34 to FM 499, from 499 to I-30, from US 69 to SH 34, from O’Neal Street to US 69). The contractor has begun setting work zone signs and barricades. Milling and paving operations have begun. The contractor is completing base repairs and milling on SS 302 from I-30 to just south of downtown Greenville. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2649, Hunt County (From I-30 to FM 1567): Contractors have set barricades and work zone traffic signs. The contractor has begun placing driveway safety ends and concrete pipe. Cross culvert work, prep right of way, reworking the roadway, subgrade widening and reworking the roadway base material has begun. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
CR 1032, 1031 and 2132 bridge replacement project, Hunt County. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor has reopened the CR 1032 and CR 2132 bridge. The contractor has begun work on CR 1031 by performing prep right of way work and placing detour. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30, Hunt County: Interchange Improvements: The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. Eastbound barrier placement was finished on May 3. Excavation work for detours on both frontage roads has begun and some temporary pavement will begin this week. Temporary drainage for the frontage roads will begin soon. The contractor is continuing to install RFDs on the project. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 276, Hunt County: from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass). The contractor was able to open west- and eastbound lanes of Business SH 276 and is working on the final paving left to tie in the project with the proposed bypass. Geogrid and Flex Base was installed this week in the widening section. The contractor is continuing to work on sloping and grading ditches and back slopes in the area west of Business 276 turn-out.
Flex base work will begin on the tie-ins of the bypass and Business SH 276. Please be aware of lane closures and changes to current traffic configuration and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 66, Hunt County: SH 66 at FM 1570, SH 34 at FM 1570. The contractor has installed signal poles and signal lights at SH 34, and FM 1570 and SH 66 intersections. Traffic signals at the following intersections have gone live SH 34 at FM 1903, SH 34 at FM 1570, and SH 66 at FM 1570. Some sodding work has begun.
Maintenance crews for both Hunt and Rains County will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads. Rains County crews will be working seal prep patching on FM 2101, and various bridge and culvert maintenance projects throughout the county and assisting with repairs to SH 276 at Bull Creek. Hunt County crews are addressing potholes on SH 34 and performing overlay operations on FM 1571. Both Hunt and Rains county crews are addressing potholes and roadway complaints. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
#
Paris Junior College Baseball wins Region XIV North Championship
Paris Junior College
Public Information Services
PJC Baseball wins Region XIV North Championship, off to “Super Regional”
Fresh from winning the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIV – North Regional Baseball Championship, Paris Junior College’s baseball team heads to Brenham to play Blinn College in a best of three series for the Region XIV Super Regional and a chance to go to the NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.
“I am extremely proud of this group of young men,” said PJC Athletic Director and Baseball Coach Clay Cox. “They went into an absolute gauntlet of a regional tournament and left no doubt. This time of year it comes down to who is playing their best baseball at the right time, and last weekend we were clicking on all cylinders.”
At last weekend’s tournament in Corsicana, PJC went in as third seed of four teams. The Dragons made a clean sweep of No. 2 seed San Jacinto College (11-3), No. 1 seed Navarro College (13-3), then San Jacinto College again (11-5). They scored 35 runs in three games while the other three teams managed a total of 34 runs over the entire tournament.
As a team, PJC hit .385 and only allowed four earned runs over the three games. The Dragons never trailed, and are now 41-18 for the year, breaking the record set last year of 39 wins.
Garret Villa went 2-0 on the mound, throwing seven innings and allowing just one run. Caleb Jameson also picked up a win. Jax Ortiz had two saves and threw 6.2 innings scoreless in two games in relief.
Barrett Riebock tied for the team lead with seven hits (batted .467 in the tournament with three doubles) and led the team with eight RBIs. Preston Gamster also had seven hits and three doubles (batted .500 for the tournament). Ryan Davis reached base 12 out of 15 times on the weekend (batted .600). Ethan Guerra hit .429 on the weekend and Kevin Shea .455.
“To build off last year’s conference championship and bring home a regional championship is a huge step for our program,” said Cox. “We put ourselves in a position to do something that has not been done here in a long time, and that’s get to Grand Junction. We aren’t done yet. Blinn College is rolling right now, too, and we have to go to their yard. The townspeople of Brenham will make that an electric postseason atmosphere. It’s going to be fun. We just have to continue to play our game and focus on what we need to do. Do that and we have a chance to take the next step.”
Game one begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, at Leroy Dreyer Field in Brenham, Texas. Game two takes place at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, and an “if necessary,” decisive third game will be played at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 15. Day passes may be bought at the gate. Adult tickets are $10, Seniors 60 and up are $5, and college students with current student ID and children under 12 may enter free.
To learn more about PJC’s baseball players and schedule, go to www.parisjc.edu/athletics and scroll down to select “Baseball Team” or “Baseball Schedule.” Tournament scores will be posted on the schedule page. Games will also be broadcast at www.tsbnsports.com and live stats followed at https://bit.ly/3DKI323.
CHAMPS – The Paris Junior College baseball team, pictured above, won the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIV – North Regional Baseball Championship this week and heads to Brenham to play for a chance to go to the NJCAA World Series in Colorado.
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.
Upcoming Greenville Air Show
May 12, 2023 – Greenville Texas will be hosting an air show with historic and vintage aircraft this month as the Commemorative Air Force hosts the Barnstormer Saturday Fly-In.
The event is scheduled 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 20 at Majors Field, the City of Greenville Municipal Airport. Admission and parking are free for the show, which will include a variety of craft presented by the Commemorative Air Force, the largest flying museum in the world.
Among the aircraft expected to be on display is “Ikes Bird”, an Aero Commander L-26B, the smallest plane ever to fly as Air Force One when it was used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. You can find out more about this aircraft here: https://www.ikesbird.org/greenville
Also, organizers expect the Douglas R4D, “Ready For Duty”, the Navy version of the DC-3 to make another appearance at the airshow.
The B-29/B-24 Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force brings together the aircraft, pilots and crews from over 70 CAF units across the country to create the AirPower Squadron – an ever changing assortment of military aircraft touring together to bring the sights, sounds and smells of World War II aviation history to audiences across the United States.
The AirPower Squadron always includes at least one of the two rarest World War II bombers in the world – FIFI, the most famous, flying Boeing B-29 Superfortress and Diamond Lil, an equally rare B-24 Liberator. Aircraft accompanying the B-29 or B-24 will include other World War II aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang, the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-25 Mitchell, along with an assortment of fighters, trainers and liaison aircraft. The Greenville show will include the B-24 Diamond Lil.
You can find more information on the Fly-In and the Commemorative Air Force is available online at and www.airpowersquadron.org/greenville-tx
Paris Junior College Welding Department in Sulphur Springs
GRINDING
Harlie J. Harred, a pipe welding student from Dike, grinds on a weld test coupon in the welding shop at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center while instructor John Plemons observes her progress. To learn more about the welding program visit the PJC web site at www.parisjc.edu or call Plemons at 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.
Sulphur Springs FFA Banquet Photos And Outcomes
Four Judging Teams made it to the State Contest this year:
Jordan VanWinkle earned 1st place High Point Individual in the State of Texas for Ag Sales,
Tripp Smith earned 8th overall Individual in the State of Texas for Dairy Judging.
Roughly $4,000.00 in scholarships and awards from our chapter program were given out to students.
In addition, Wayne Hinton, Tripp Smith, and Rebekah Stanley received a combined total of $5,500 from NETLA Scholarships.
Jayden Arledge Received a $4,000 dollar Scholarship from Ft Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Calf Scramble.
Jordan Vanwinkle received a $1,500 Scholarship from Houston Stock Show Speaking Contest.
Scholarships Totaled to roughly: $15,000.00
At NETLA this year 46 of the FFA Members received a combined total of $246,922.62 from the NETLA Sale of Champions.
At the Hopkins County Commercial Heifer Show there were 14 FFA Member who received $104,475.00 from the Commercial Heifer Sale.
The Grand Total: $351,397.62
The Ag Mechanics team won over $13,000 in prizes at the shows this year.
The Combined Market Livestock Animal Sales from Major Show Sales totaled $39,500
The Premium Awards for Breeding Animals: approximately $3,000.00
The Major Show Winnings: Total- $55,500
With everything combined the Grand Total Winnings/Earnings for SS FFA Members: $421,897.62
Juneteenth Celebration Set For June 17-18, 2023
May 10, 2023- Juneteenth is right around the corner June 17th and 18th. It will be held at Pacific Park once again. Many events will take place over the two days of celebration. Those events are as follows:
June 17th:
- Juneteenth Marathon Run – 7 am
- Juneteenth Parade – 11am
- Juneteenth Picnic – 1 pm
- Music, Games, & fun, bring your lawn chairs – 6 pm
June 18th :
- Juneteenth Celebration of Gospel, Featuring Recording Artist Curtis Eubanks – 5 pm
Pacific Park is located at 413 Beckham St W in Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Texas House’s Version Of The Senate’s School Voucher Bill Would Reduce The Program’s Scope And Replace The STAAR Test
May 10, 2023- The Texas House education committee is planning to vote Wednesday on a new 80-page version of the Senate’s priority school voucher program proposal, which would drastically limit the scope, make changes to the state’s standardized test and remove the bill’s restriction on teaching about gender and sexual orientation.
Senate Bill 8, by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, passed the Senate last month. Its centerpiece is an education savings account program that would work like voucher programs and direct state funds to help Texas families pay for private schooling. The version of the bill approved by the Senate would be open to most K-12 students in Texas and would give parents who opt out of the public school system up to $8,000 in taxpayer money per student each year. Thee funds could be used to purchase a child’s private schooling and other educational expenses, such as textbooks or tutoring.
The House version of SB 8 would significantly roll back eligibility, wich would be limited to certain students like those with a disability, those who are “educationally disadvantages” or those who attend a campus that received a grade of D or lower in its accountability rating in the last two school years.
The House version would also require students in the program to take a state assessment test, which could potentially add a degree of accountability.
In addition, the bill would make changes to the annual stipends that families enrolled in the program get. It would give the families about $10,500 a year if their child is educationally disadvantaged and has a disability, $9,000 if their child is educationally disadvantaged and $7,500 for every other child.
It is expected that the new version of the bill won’t be open to testimony before the committee votes on it as lawmakers are making a rushed decision.
The Senate version of SB 8 severely restricted classroom lessons, campus activities and educator guidance about sexual orientation and gender identity in public and charter schools up to 12th grade, with very limited exceptions.
Lawmakers can still amend the legislation, and it’s currently unclear whether they will add back the restrictions into the final version of the bill before it comes for a vote. The lower chamber is also considering Senate Bill 1072, some of which mirrors SB 8’s language on this issue. The bill, authored by Republican Sen. Bryan Hughes of Mineola, passed out of the upper chamber earlier this month and is currently waiting for a hearing in the House Public Education Committee.
The Texas House’s version of SB 8 also eliminates a Senate provision that sought to give districts with fewer than 20,000 students $10,000 for five years for every child who enrolls in the savings account program and leaves their district. The provision was seen as a way to convince Texans in rural communities to support the bill, but they have remained largely unswayed.
In addition, this version of SB 8 also makes changes to the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, also known as STAAR. No later than the 2027-28 school years, the Texas Education Agency would need to create a new test that would be more aligned with what children learn in the classroom.
And instead of it being one test, the House version requires the TEA to spread the evaluation in three parts, given during different times of the year. Students in grades 3-8 would be required to take it.
Currently this method has already been piloted in several school districts across the state. The TSIA is currently a test colleges give to high school students to determine what classes they should be in.
In April, the House voted 86-52 for a budget amendment that kept the state from using funds to pay for school vouchers. The vote was largely symbolic but it demonstrated the widespread opposition to voucher-like programs in the lower chamber, even if support has grown in the past two years.
Democrats and rural Republicans have banded together in the past to oppose voucher-like programs as they fear they could take away money from their local school districts. Because Texas school districts receive state funds based on student attendance, they receive less money when any student leaves.
