Paris Junior College Regents Receive Clean Audit Report and Positive Ranking News
Paris Junior College
Public Information Services
PJC Regents receive clean audit report, positive ranking news
The Paris Junior College Board of Regents received the 2021-2022 audit report and results from a national data report at their monthly meeting held Monday, Jan. 22, 2023. The regents approved the audit report.
“That’s a clean opinion on these financial statements,” said Teffany Kevanaugh, CPA, of McLanahan and Holmes, for the College and the PJC Memorial Foundation. “We’re happy to report we did not have any difficulties with management in getting the audit done.”
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Daya System (IPEDS) report is based on data PJC submitted to the federal government, along with about 7,000 other institutions. PJC received a report comparing it and 22 other Texas colleges in the medium category.
For an academic year, PJC tuition and fees are $2,460, lower than the peer average of $2,535, and price of attendance (tuition and fees plus books, supplies, room and board) is $5,304 compared to the average of $6,563.
PJC has more students on some form of financial aid – 84 percent compared to 70 percent peer average, and 59 percent of PJC students are on PELL compared to 49 percent average.
PJC’s graduation rate is 34 percent, compared to 25 percent at peer colleges. The graduation rate is based on first-time, full-time degree seeking students coming to the institution for the first time.
PJC’s full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing is lower than peers while average faculty salaries at PJC are higher than peers ($59,821 compared to $56,427 peer college average).
PJC relies more heavily on state appropriations than peer colleges: 24 percent compared to 20 percent, while local tax dollars make up nine percent of revenues compared to 25 percent at peer institutions. Tuition and fees are 17 percent of revenues compared to 14 percent peer average.
Finally, PJC spends less per FTE in core expense categories than peers for instruction (PJC at $3,341 compared to $5,053 average), academic support of $448 compared to $956, and institutional support of $1,190 compared to $2,280. PJC spends $1,127 compared to the average of $1,281 on student services.
In other business, the Regents:
• Gave required annual approval to the Investment Policy – CAK (LOCAL). The policy had no changes from last year.
• Accepted the Local Policy Update #44 from the Texas Association of School Boards Policy Service. The update provided more local details for regent elections.
• Learned during the President’s Report that preliminary spring enrollment showed an increase in contact hours from both one and two years ago. The HVAC renovation in the Administration Building is largely meeting the timeline and offices should be able to move back into the building in February.
• Accepted the promotions/reassignments of Selynthia Martin as Educational Opportunity Center Student Support Services Coordinator and Madison Wells as Upward Bound Advisor; the employment of Sara Pierce as Educational Talent Search Advisor; and the resignations of Small Business Development Center Director Jennifer Johnston, Information Technology Director Eddie Mahar, and EOC SSS Coordinator Courtnie Wittkopf.
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.
2023 College Baseball Showdown Pass Giveaway
The 2023 college baseball season is once again kicking off at Globe Life Field this February with six teams from two conferences, SEC & Big 12, slated to play in the College Baseball Showdown.
Tune in For your chance to win passes to the 2023 College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Field from Feb. 17-19th. Three games will be played each day, with these passes you will gain entry to each game.
Six teams will be featured in the third annual College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Field. Participating teams include Texas Christian University, University of Texas, Oklahoma State University, University of Missouri, University of Arkansas, and Vanderbilt University.
Friday Gameday Has Five Teams Suiting Up
Friday, Jan. 27 is a busy one for Sulphur Springs sports. In what is truly the first gameday of the spring semester, five different teams from town are all in action.
First team up on Friday is tennis, playing in their second competition of the season.
Coach Tony Martinez and his squad are in Spring Hill for the second JV competition of the season. JV begins early Friday morning at 8 A.M.
In the first spring meet at Sherman, the varsity squad won eight or nine matches, according to the tennis coach. Martinez said the Bearcats are a senior-laden team, so to win so many matches is a testament to how much this program has grown in recent years.
The varsity team plays next on Thursday, Feb. 2 in Paris.
That meet has an early start next Thursday at 8 A.M.
Tennis was originally scheduled to host Denison on Tuesday, Jan. 24 but rain throughout Texas forced the match to be cancelled.
Second team up doesn’t tip off until Friday evening, but Lady Cats basketball wrap up a two-game home-stand Friday when they host Pittsburg.
Coach Bryan Jones and his team hope to wrap-up the home-stand going 2-0 and they hold a very good chance of doing so hosting the Lady Pirates.
Pittsburg comes into Friday’s district match-up in Sulphur Springs 1-5, their lone victory coming a week ago to winless Pleasant Grove.
The Lady Cats on Tuesday wrapped up their season series with the Lady Hawks on Tuesday when they demolished PG 70-41. Coach Jones’s squad fired on all cylinders in their blowout win, which also clinches a series sweep of the Lady Hawks. They hope to do the same on Friday, hosting Pittsburg, and need to win at home to secure a playoff spot.
A win Friday clinches a playoff spot for women’s basketball. They lead fifth place Pittsburg by two games, so a win Friday puts the Lady Cats up three games with two reminding.
They look to complete the sweep of the Lady Pirates, in doing so clinching a playoff spot as well.
Sulphur Springs tips off in the SSHS Main Gym on Friday, Jan. 27 at 6:30 P.M.
Friday’s district match-up with Pittsburg will be broadcasted onto KSST 1230 AM. Friday’s home contest will also be live-streamed onto KSST Radio’s Youtube channel.
Third team up on Jan. 27 is Lady Cats soccer, who play a huge game at Celina on Friday.
Coach Adriana Brena and her squad play top-ranked Celina on their home field on this Friday Gameday. Celina is the top-ranked team in 4A according to Lethal Enforcer, publisher of Texas soccer coach’s rankings.
The Lady Cats have their hands full in the second-to-last non-district contest for the soccer team.
After Friday’s contest in Celina, Sulphur Springs plays at (Frisco) Panther Creek next Monday, Jan. 30 before taking a week prior to the start of district play.
The women’s soccer team enters Friday’s duel in Celina 7-4 on the season, having won two straight and six of seven.
They look to make it three, or potentially four straight wins heading into the start of district play when they play top-ranked Celina on their home field.
That game kicks off in Celina on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 P.M.
Lady Cats soccer is ranked #29 in all of 4A in the most recent state rankings, but as highly ranked as #3 in 4A Region 2.
The second-to-last team to kick-off on Friday, Jan. 27 is Wildcats soccer, ready and set for a big duel tonight with Celina.
The Bobcats come into Gerald Prim Stadium ranked not only as one of the top teams in 4A Region 2, ranked #2 most recently, but also ranked #6 in all of 4A according to Lethal Enforcer.
Sulphur Springs looks to upset Celina, who most recently came to the Prim for the Wildcats’ 4A Elite Invitational and ended up winning the tournament. Coach Alexi Upton’s team finished third, going 2-1-1 in a loaded tourney full of talented 4A schools across Texas.
Most recently the men’s soccer team played in Frisco at Panther Creek on Wednesday. Like Lady Cats soccer and tennis on Tuesday, they had to move away from that date due to a constant downpour of rain that made its way across north & northeast Texas.
Sulphur Springs won big on Wednesday, 3-1.
Following the win in Frisco, the Wildcats are 7-6-1 heading into their final non-district contest on Friday.
They have a huge test hosting top-ranked Celina at the Prim.
That duel kicks off on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7:15 P.M.
Last team up on Friday, Jan. 27 is Wildcats basketball in Pittsburg for the final game of the first half of district play.
Coach Brandon Shaver’s team is hoping to complete a 2-0 road-stand, and just like the Lady Cats they stand a very good chance of doing so playing at 0-4 Pittsburg.
The men’s basketball team on the other hand is a perfect 4-0, having taken care of PG on Tuesday in Texarkana.
Both teams came into the game as the lone undefeated squads from 15-4A, but it was Sulphur Springs that emerged victorious, beating the Hawks 67-55 on Tuesday.
Now, the Wildcats look to complete a perfect first half of district play when they host Pittsburg.
Coach Shaver and his team look to wrap up round one of the season by beating the Pirates on their home court.
That game tips off in Pittsburg on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 P.M.
Sulphur Springs enters the game ranked #11 in 4A according to TABC rankings.
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.
Tennessee Man Brought Back to Hopkins County On Warrants
January 27th, 2023 – Eric Montreal Anderson a.k.a. EBG-Ejizzle, a resident on Memphis, TN was brought back to Hopkins County by Sheriff’s deputies on several outstanding warrants. Deputies traveled to the Horry County Jail in South Carolina to retrieve the accused.
Anderson fancies himself a rapper, and has had more than few run-ins with law enforcement.
A records check revealed Anderson was serving time for a Grand Larceny $10,000 or more Conviction at the Horry County Jail. His bond for that charge was $35,000. He was released just prior to his transport to Texas.
Bond for his Texas charges total $300,000.
2229448 1 481.115(D) POSS CS PG 1/1-B >=4G<200G W/INTENT TO DEL
2229447 1 38.04(B)(2)(A) EVADING ARREST DET W/VEH
2229503 1 31.03(E)(4)(C) THEFT OF FIREARM
2229450 1 32.51(C)(1) FRAUD USE/POSS IDENTIFYING INFO # OF ITEMS <5
2229449 1 481.121(B)(3) POSS MARIJ <= 5LBS > 4OZ
Anderson was also arrested for 22F0063 -CRIMINAL MISCHIEF >=$2,500<$30K in Hopkins County in August of 2022. Anderson was part of a group of 5 men arrested that same month. See that story here.
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.
REGIONAL BPA Results – Jan. 21, 2023
30 students from Sulphur Springs High School competed at the Business Professionals of America (BPA) Regional Leadership contest in Wylie on Saturday, 1-21-23. Students competed in a variety of hands-on real-life business-related tests as well as judged events. 22 students advanced to the BPA State Leadership Conference which will be held March 2-5 in Dallas, TX.
Fundamental Accounting Associate: 2nd place Holden Moss
Banking and Finance: 5th Austin Chaney, 4th Katlyn Noe, 3rd Anniston Price, 1st Claire Monk – all
advanced to state
Caleb Kesting Associate advance
Personal Finance Management: 1st Place Kylie Clarke
Fundamental Word Processing: 8th place Charles Lee, 4th Matthew Atkinson state qualifier, 2nd Macy
Williams
Basic Office Systems & Procedures: 7th place Brooklyn Shelton, 6th Maddox Potts, 5th Jackie Diosdado
advanced to state
Associate Advanced Office Systems & Procedures: 1st place Mika Boren advanced
Legal Office Procedures: 2nd place Jack Bain, 4th place Grayson Wall advance
Admin Support Team: 1st Caleb Kesting, Mika Boren advance
Admin Support Research Individual: 1st Place Jaci Robinson, 2nd Place Kenzie Posey advance
Associate Business Law and Ethics: 1st Place Jonah Foster advance
Business Law and Ethics: 3rd Place Camila Hidalgo advance
Device Configuration and Troubleshooting: 1st Place Ryan Mitchell advanced
JAVA Programming: 4th Place Andres Flores State
Graphic Design Promotion: 6th Place Wyatt Watson alternate
Fundamentals of Web Design: 2nd Place Alexis Villarino advanced
Entrepreneurship: 4th Place Geronimo Lindley alternate
Interview Skills: 6th Place alternate Amani Finnie, 4th Place alternate Layla Pogue
Advanced Interview Skills: 1st Place Harmony Goodman advanced
Prepared Speech: 1st place Ashland Hooten
Godbolt Accumulates Additional Felony Charge
January 26, 2023 – While Adrian Jamaal Godbolt of Sulphur Springs was in custody on four changes, an fifth charge was added.
The additional charge is related to burglary of a habitation. Bond for that charge is set at $75,000
23FE0003 1 71.02 ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
This is in addition to the following charges.
2229619 1 46.05 UNLAWFUL POSSESS FIREARM BY FELON
2229617 1 31.03(E)(4)(C) THEFT OF FIREARM MAGISTRATE COURT
2229618 1 31.03(E)(4)(C) THEFT OF FIREARM MAGISTRATE COURT
22A796 1 NO DRIVERS LICENSE
Godbolt, aged 39, has been arrested several times in the past 2 years for parole violations related to controlled substance charges.
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.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs, Texas, January 23, 2023 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Gala tickets on sale next week!
The 2023 Lights of Life Gala tickets go on sale next week on February 1, 2023. Sponsorships, however, are available now and each level includes tickets for the event. The sponsorship levels are priced the same as last year’s levels, but with new names to reflect the “Stilettos & Stetsons” theme.
This year’s Gala Chairs are Whitney and Logan Vaughan, who are planning a fun evening of dinner, dancing, and live auction! Through the years, over 4 Million dollars has been raised by the Foundation to bring health-related programs and equipment to the citizens of Hopkins County. These are offerings that a rural hospital would not normally have available. To become a sponsor of the 2023 Lights of Life Gala and to purchase tickets, visit our Gala website: LOLGala2023.givesmart.com. For more information, please contact the Foundation at [email protected] or 903.438.4799.
New Service Available: Peritoneal Dialysis
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital- Sulphur Springs is now offering inpatient peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis for patients battling End-Stage Renal Disease with an acute hospitalization need. We are excited to have these services available in our community.
Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court To Expand Fireworks Sale
The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court during a recent meeting has unanimously decided to expand the dates that fireworks can be sold in Hopkins County. This decision will allow registered firework distributors to sell fireworks on three additional holidays. By state statute, fireworks can already be sold around the July 4th holiday, and the Christmas/New Years holiday. The following list is of all approved holidays for firework sale:
- Texas Independence Day – Feb. 25th-March 2nd
- San Jacinto Day – April 16th-April 21st
- Memorial Day – May 24th-May 29th (for 2023)
- 4th of July – June 24th-July 4th
- Christmas/New Year – Dec. 20th-Jan 1st
Hopkins County District Attorney: Clayton Reynolds
A Press Release Regarding the Arrest, Trial and Sentencing of Clayton Reynolds
January 26, 2023 – DCSO Deputy Samantha Manrique met up with DPS Trooper Sgt. Kain to make an arrest on Clayton Reynolds in downtown Cooper, Texas on July 7, 2022. At that time, Mr. Reynolds had two warrants for his arrest for two third-degree felony assaults, both against the same woman who is the mother of his children. During this time, Mr. Reynolds had been heavily using methamphetamine and was experiencing delusions regarding the mother of his children. As a result of these delusions, Mr. Reynolds was calling 911 repeatedly. This is what prompted the meeting between Sgt. Kain and Deputy Manrique.
When the officers made contact with Mr. Reynolds, they arrested him pursuant to the arrest warrants. During a pat down, Sgt. Kain recovered 1.5 grams of methamphetamine from Mr. Reynolds’ sock. As such, Mr. Reynolds was booked in for PCS PG1 >=1G<4G, his March 2021 assault impeding breathing case out of Dallas County, and his November 2021 assault of a pregnant person case out of Delta County. Because Mr. Reynolds had been to prison for arson, possession, and theft back in 1995 and for delivery of a controlled substance in 2001, he faced the habitual range of punishment on each of these offenses: 25 to 99 years or life in prison.
On Monday, January 23rd, Clayton Reynolds was tried in Delta County for PCS PG1 >=1G<4G. The jury saw Deputy Manrique’s body camera wherein they were able to watch Sgt. Kain retrieve the drugs from Mr. Reynolds’ sock, the actual methamphetamine recovered, and a lab report showing the substance was in fact methamphetamine as evidence in the case. The defendant took the stand and claimed that it wasn’t meth, rather it was rock salt with lighter fluid poured on it, claiming that this is the substance he was smoking that caused him to hallucinate. He also discussed his life in the drug world, gang world, and in prison, mentioning a federal prison sentence he served. The jury deliberated and found the defendant guilty in approximately 5 minutes or less.
On Tuesday, January 24th, the punishment phase of the trial began. During the State’s case, the State introduced penitentiary packets showing Mr. Reynold’s convictions for theft, possession of a controlled substance, arson, and delivery of a controlled substance. The State also called the victim of Mr. Reynolds’ assaults in Delta and Dallas: the mother of his two children. She detailed 8 different instances wherein Mr. Reynolds physically assaulted her over an almost 4 year time period. The instance in Delta County involved Mr. Reynolds’ striking her in the head multiple times, choking her, and kicking her while she was 8 months pregnant with their daughter. In the defense’s case in chief, Mr. Reynolds took the stand. He discussed a 9 year 7 month sentence in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He was released from federal prison in 2016 for this offense. He also vehemently denied assaulting the mother of his children. He argued essentially that he was a wonderful father, while she was engaged in adultery and endangering the children.
Ultimately, the jury sided with justice and sentenced Mr. Reynolds to 99 years imprisonment. They discounted Mr. Reynolds’ testimony and held him accountable for his horrific criminal conduct. The jury was able to see this case involved more than a mere 1.5 grams of meth. It involved a life of crime, drugs, violence, and no accountability.
This jury sent a clear message: drugs, crime, and violence are not welcome in Delta County.
Quote by Will Ramsay: I would like to thank the citizens of Delta County for this strong message. Assistant District Attorney Zach Blackmon presented the facts in an orderly and detailed manner, which gave the jury a full understanding of the individual they were considering.
Zachary Blackmon
Assistant District Attorney
8th Judicial District
282 Rosemont St., Ste. 1
Sulphur Springs, TX
P: (903) 885-0641
Southwest Posts $220 Million Loss Last Quarter After Holiday Meltdown
Southwest Airlines posted their fourth quarter profit report recently, the report stated a loss of $220 million in the final three months of last year due to the holiday meltdown that affected an estimated two million passengers, the company announced.
Southwest Airlines earlier this month announced that they canceled around 16,700 flights between Dec. 21 through Dec. 31 after severe winter weather swept through the United States. The carrier has been processing tens of thousands of refunds and complex reimbursements for travelers who booked flights on other airlines to get to their destinations to the cancelations of the flights.
Rival airlines had largely recovered around Christmas after the winter weather, but Southwest’s technology was unable to process all the flight changes and crews had to call the carrier to get rescheduled.
