Paris Junior College has High Student Retention Rate
Paris Junior College’s annual course retention rate remains strong, according to an annual update provided to the Board of Regents at their monthly meeting Monday, June 28.
The report for the fall and spring 2020 semesters shows that, despite a pandemic, the institutional retention rate was 94 percent.
“This report shows how many students remained in the course and didn’t drop,” said Dr. Pam Anglin, PJC President.
In other business, the Regents:
• Received the monthly finance report from Controller Cody Helm showing that revenue continues to be above expenditures. Though not finalized, initial review shows that PJC has lost about $2.7 million in revenues since the pandemic began.
• Heard a report on Summer term enrollment showing contact hours are up 2.53 percent, though head count is down 8.97 percent. One factor changing the head count is an adjustment to the vocational nursing program, where students are in one longer term instead of two shorter terms.
• Learned the U.S. Department of Labor has granted a certificate for an apprenticeship program to train industrial maintenance technicians in Greenville, a process delayed for more than a year due to the pandemic. The program is funded through the Texas Workforce Commission, and only reporting details need to be finalized.
• Accepted the employment of Men’s and Women’s Soccer Coach and Kinesiology Instructor Fernando Arellano, Associate Degree Nursing Instructor Christy Armes, Economics Instructor Benjamin Burden, Chemistry Instructor Lisa Shelton, and Student Success Coach Savannah Wood, and the resignations of SBDC Business Recovery Advisor Tiffany Franzoni, PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Assistant Director Iris Gutierrez, and Student Success Coach and Financial Aid Advisor Angela Martinez.
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.
Paris Junior College Releases Certified List of Spring Graduates
Paris Junior College is pleased to release the certified roll of graduates from the spring graduation ceremony of May 7, 2021.
Texas students receiving associate degrees (by city):
Brashear: Rachael Dotson, Jocelyn Helterbrand
Commerce: Hunter Atkins
Como: Kayla Harris, Erica Lawwill
Cooper: Mitchell Green, Joseph Manners, Brayden Watkins, Amani Whitaker
Cumby: Kamryn Hall, Rylee Krotky, Lucero Osornio, Andrea Resendiz, Kobe Robertson, Sydney Spillers
Ladonia: Nikki Conner
Lake Creek: Rhalie Weathers
Point: Lacey Dejarneatt
Saltillo Cayce Parris
Sulphur Bluff: Emily Guajardo
Sulphur Springs: Adrian Banuelos, Clayton Brandenburgh, Alexandra Dixon, Joanna Duran, Samuel Earle, Leslie Garcia, Skylar Goldsmith, Carrah Griffith, Jessica Hatley, Sydnee Hawkins, Jessica Hoelscher, Jordan Holland, Cason Jones, America Luna, Cassie Martin, Amanda McGowin, Alexandria Price, Joselyne Sanchez Ambriz, Ronald Smith, Caleb Wyatt, Jaci Wyatt
Students from Texas receiving certificates (by city):
Campbell: Armando Catalan, Ellie White
Commerce: John Cross, Eliud Najera
Cooper: Hayley Kaiser, Joseph Manners
Dike: Jordan Carter
Emory: Ty Nichols
Pickton: David Palacios
Saltillo: John Beadle
Sulphur Springs: Cody Belz, Erik Heukels, Chay Jackson, Kennedy Lee, Joseph Leos, Christian Marshall, Jonathan Musa-Parramore, Gregory Nottingham, Jack Smith, Ronald Smith, Geoffrey Stewart
Sumner: Nicholas McCloud, Sydney Neuse, Sara Sexton, Derek Tye
Winnsboro: Christy Carden, Sherry West
Wolfe City: Brooke Morgan
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.
Promotions Announced For Some Como-Pickton CISD Employees
Como-Pickton CISD Superintendent Greg Bower announced promotions for a few district employees. The promotions come following a few resignations which, the superintendent said, allows the district to reward hard working district staff members for their efforts.
Dr. Bower said Amy Friddle will be promoted from student services coordinator to officially become an assistant elementary principal and district programs coordinator.
History teacher and AVID Coordinator Austin Baxley has been promoted to a full-time position.
Transportation and maintenance this year were overseen by the same person, school officials opted to separate the two positions and promoted two district employees. Jeff Matthews is the new transportation director and Jason Blanchard, who has been with CPCISD for a while, has been promoted to maintenance/custodial director.
Bower said CPCISD, like many across the state, is trying to stay as competitive in their pay scales and benefits as much as possible in order to recruit the best possible teachers, coaches and staff members Unfortunately, there appears to be an across the state shortage of teachers, bus drivers and administrators. To remain competitive, the district has given a few across the board raises, particularly for bus drivers. As of the June 21 meeting, school officials had found several bus drivers to help fill two of the three openings in the transportation department.
The superintendent reported the district also qualifies to apply for up to $1.7 million in ESSER III funding. District officials are still kicking around the idea to determine the best use for that money within the terms outlined by the government for the funding. No final decisions has been made.
CPCISD is planning to install a ventilation system and fire suppressant system in the elementary cafeteria. When the new wing was constructed at the school, an area for serving of food and where students can sit to eat meals was created. The kitchen was not finished out and is not equipped for cooking. The district plans to complete the kitchen so that meals may be prepared there as well. The first step is to put a vent and fire suppression system in so that ovens can safely be utilized to cook meals for students.
Wildcats Soccer On Track as Edge Draws to Close
The Wildcats soccer team has been practicing in the mornings during the Edge to take advantage of one of the coolest points in the day.
The Edge for Coach Alexi Upton and his team are currently in week five of their six week run of the summer strength and conditioning program.
The Edge for soccer concludes next Thursday, July 15.
With the Edge wrapping up next week for not only both soccer teams but for most of the squads who hold a summer strength and conditioning program, we met up with Coach Upton to discuss how he felt the Edge went for his team during their six week run of the strength and conditioning program.
Like the last time we met up with Coach Upton in mid-June, the Wildcats coach said the team has averaged about 20 participants, and with 60 kids involved in the soccer program, it amounts to about 1 in 3 student-athletes from soccer are attending the Edge.
“We’ve had a lot of kids that have been here pretty much everyday,” Coach Upton said.
Several coaches, along with the Wildcats soccer coach, still wish that kids who are currently present in Sulphur Springs would have attended the Edge.
And while the numbers may not have improved significantly over the last three weeks, Coach Upton still sees a lot of hard work and dedication from the students that have been showing up and showing out.
“It’s been good,” Coach Upton said about the Edge. “I’m really proud of that group of guys,” Coach Upton said about his regular attendees of the summer strength and conditioning program.
Coach Upton said fans and followers of the Wildcat soccer program can expect a group that works really hard and is well-organized.
Even though the coach and his team lost several key players due to graduation, notably Joel Pasion, Omar Hernandez, Bryant Sanchez, Jorge Santacruz, David Moreno, Kason Blake, Garrett Reams, Alejandro Diosdado and Alex Rodriguez, this year’s Wildcats squad will have to be well-organized if they wish to make a run at the postseason like they did last winter.
Due to the fact that Coach Upton and his team lost so many significant starters and role players, they will have to work harder this year than last to pull out victories against tough opponents in District 15-5A.
In spite of this, Coach Upton said, a number of incoming seniors and a few juniors have stepped up to a leadership position to best fill the holes that were made due to graduation.
The Wildcats soccer coach said new leaders are pivotal to this year’s team success, “especially since that senior class last year that [the Wildcats] just had so many good leaders and and so many good guys that were doing the right thing all the time.”
Coach Upton said that while this a part of running a sports program, he will still need more players to step up and take leadership positions if they wish to succeed come wintertime.
After the Edge concludes next Thursday, July 15, Coach Upton and his Wildcats will take a bit of a breather thanks to some time off before they jump head-first in to the school year.
Also, Wildcats soccer coach Alexi Upton released a flyer and QR code recently pertaining to the upcoming soccer camp that will be held at the end of July.
The camp runs the last week of July and will last four days from July 26-29 (Monday through Thursday). The soccer camp will be run by Coach Upton and is welcome to students ranging from entering kindergarteners to ninth grade.
The cost of the camp is $50 and is welcome to both boys and girls.
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.
Atlanta, Texas Woman Arrested In Rockwall County On Hopkins County Warrant
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified a 41-year-old Atlanta, Texas woman had been arrested in Rockwall County on a Hopkins County warrant.
Veronica Bryant was transported from Rockwall to Hopkins County jail, where Deputy Joe Hooten escorted her into the county jail. She was booked at 1:50 a.m. July 6, 2021, on a bond forfeiture order for a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
The original controlled offense, according to arrest and jail reports, is alleged to have occurred on June 29, 2020. She was found to have a bag of suspected methamphetamines and a bag of marijuana on her during an Interstate 30 traffic stop on June 29, 2020. A sealed bag containing smaller bags that contained suspected meth was also located in the console and marijuana cigarette remnants were found in a storage area in the driver’s side door. Marijuana remnants were found on the driver. The bag of substance field-tested positive as meth and weighed 1.5 grams, including packaging. The Fort Worth man and Atlanta, Texas woman were arrested and jailed in Hopkins County early June 30, 2020, on possession charges.
The Cass County resident was indicted on the controlled substance charge during the December 2020 Grand Jury session.
Bryant, who is also known by Veronica Pendleton Bryant and Pendleton Veronica Bryant, remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, July 6, 2021, for bond forfeiture on the charge. Her new bond was set at $20,000, twice the original bond set June 30, 2020.
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.
2 Como-Pickton FCCLA Members Earn Silver Medals, 1 Serves As Volunteer At National Meet
Last week, three members of the Como-Pickton High School Family Career and Community Leaders of America Chapter participated in the 2021 National FCCLA Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
Chelsey Osborne and Logan Langley competed at the national conference and came home with silver medals. They completed a Chapter Service Project this year and presented their portfolio and speech for their work in providing tourniquets and training to members of the community and schools, C-P CISD Assistant Superintendent Jana Andrews reports.
Presley Cummins also participated last week in the national conference, serving as Como-Pickton High School FCCLA Chapter’s volunteer.
“We are very proud of the hard work and dedication these Eagles showed on a national level,” Andrews stated.
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a national Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for young men and women in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education in public and private school through grade 12. FCCLA offers intra-curricular resources and opportunities for students to pursue careers that support families. Since 1945, FCCLA members have been making a difference in their families, careers, and communities by addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences education.
Today, more than 182,000 members from 5,253 chapters are active in a network of associations in 48 states, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The work of FCCLA helps students and teachers focus on a variety of youth concerns, including parenting, family relationships, substance abuse, peer pressure, sustainability, nutrition and fitness, teen violence, and career preparation in four specific Career Pathways. Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life—planning, goal setting, problem solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication—necessary in the home and workplace.
How Best to Handle Invasive Insects, by Mario Villarino
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
Many insects can be managed without using pesticides, but this cultural control requires extra time and effort.
It may also result in slight damage to your plants.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, some of the cultural methods you can use to prevent or control insect damage are:
- Keep weeds and grass pulled out of the garden. Mow the area around the garden.
- Plant varieties that grow well in your area.
- Apply the correct amount of fertilizer and water when needed.
- When you have picked all the fruit, destroy the old plants by removing them or plowing them under.
- You can wash off some insects, such as aphids and spider mites, with a water hose.
- You may hand-pick some insects or egg masses from the plant to prevent damage.
- Chemical control of insects often may be necessary. For best results, treat insects before large numbers build up in the garden. Dusts or sprays provide good control.
Before you buy a pesticide, read the label to see if it is recommended for the pest and plants you want to treat.
Before you use a pesticide, read the label to see how much you should use. Read all information on the label and follow all directions.
All insecticides are poisonous, so handle them with care and keep them away from children and pets.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Winnsboro Police Report For June 28-July 4, 2021: Kilgore Woman Jailed On 8 Charges
The Winnnsboro Police Department’s weekly media report for June 28-July 4, 2021, included the following:
Arrests
Amanda Torres, 31 years of age, of Kilgore, was arrested on July 1, 2021, on eight charges:
- Possession of 2 ounces or Less of Marijuana,
- Possession of the Dangerous Drug Methocarbamol,
- Possession of less than 28 grams of the Penalty Group 3 Controlled Substance PG 3 Alprazolam,
- Possession of less than 28 grams of the Penalty Group 3 Controlled Substance Clonazepam,
- Possession of less than 1 gram of the the Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance Oxycodone,
- Possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of the Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance Cocaine,
- Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of the Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance Heroin, and
- Possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance a Controlled Substance Methamphetamine.
Torres remained in Wood County jail Tuesday morning, July 6, 2021. Her bonds on the charges totaled $61,000, according to Wood County jail records.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 168 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 46 citations and 64 warnings during this reporting period.
Woman Accused Of Stealing A Lizard, Game Console During Home Burglary
A 19-year-old Sulphur Springs woman accused of stealing a lizard and game console during a home burglary was arrested early Saturday morning, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Sulphur Springs Police Officer Cameron Robinson responded to a disturbance on South Locust Street. Upon arrival, he contacted Laura Elaine Ybanez. She admitted she had entered the residence through a window, and that she was not supposed to be on the property. She admitted she had previously signed a criminal trespass warning prohibiting her from returning to the property. Dispatchers confirmed there was indeed an active criminal trespass warning on file for Ybanez for the location.
A person at the location told police the woman and four males took a PS3 and put it in a bag, but he was able to recover it. The woman was taken into custody for criminal trespassing. Later, police were advised a bearded dragon lizard was stolen from the residence. While at the jail, the woman told Robinson that she had taken the lizard. Ybanez was charged with burglary of a habitation based on her admission to gaining entry to the residence through a window and to stealing a lizard and PS3.
Ybanez remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, July 5, 2021, in lieu of $5,000 bond on the criminal trespass charge and $20,000 bond on the burglary of a habitation charge, according to jail reports.
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.
3 Controlled Substance Arrests Reported Over the Weekend
Three men were arrested over the weekend on felony controlled substance charges, according to arrest reports.
SH 11 East Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson reported stopping a Honda Accord at 11:09 p.m. July 3, 2021, for an obscured temporary license tag. The driver said the passenger, 53-year-old John Coleman of Celeste, is the owner of the car and intoxicated, so the other man was driving home.
Wilkerson reported seeing an open alcohol container in the car, and had both men get out. Coleman had an open container of an alcoholic beverage in his possession. He patted both men down as a safety measure, then searched the car. Wilkerson found more than one open alcoholic beverage container in the vehicle. While removing a container from under the passenger’s seat, the deputy found an open cigarette box with what appeared to be the bulb of a pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine and a small black container wrapped in black tape with a bag of suspected meth. Both denied ownership of the substance.
The driver was released with the vehicle, but passenger Coleman was taken into custody at 11:53 p.m. July 3. The substance field-tested positive for meth and weighed 0.79 gram, including packaging. Consequently, the Celeste man was booked into the county jail at 1:52 a.m. Sunday, July 4, 2021, for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. He remained in the county jail Monday, July 5, 2021, in lieu of a $5,000 bond.
HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis and Deputy Chris Baumann were credited in arrest reports with assisting on the SH 11 east traffic stop.
Cooper Lake Park Arrest
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Park Police Officer Timothy King, around 7:44 p.m. Saturday, reported seeing a green Mercury turn onto FM 3505 headed toward Cooper Lake State Park. He contacted the occupant of the vehicle at the park headquarters to explain to the driver how to complete an entry permit. While talking to the 37-year-old Commerce man, King reported smelling a marijuana odor.
He informed driver Carlos Sonchz Aubrey that he would be searching the car and asked if he had anything in his pockets. The man showed King a marijuana joint and later a bag of marijuana. When asked if there was anything additional, he showed the park officer a bag of substance identified as ecstasy under the driver’s side floor mat. A paper bag with another baggy of marijuana was located as well.
King arrested Aubrey for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance for having the alleged ecstasy, released the cart to King’s spouse, who was camping in the park. Two children who were also in the car were released to the spouse as well.
Aubrey was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, July 4, 2021, on a $5,000 bond on the controlled substance charge.
Additional Arrest
A 41-year-old Sulphur Springs man was seen walking on the wrong side of Como Street and detained by police at 7:21 a.m. July 3, 2021. Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro contacted, then patted down the man as a safety precaution.
Castro reported finding a pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine in Jose Valladares-Pineda’ shorts pocket; the pipe contained what appeared to be meth residue as well. Further searching allegedly revealed a bag of substance that tested positive for meth and weighed more than 1 gram, Castro noted in arrest reports.
Valladares-Pineda was arrested on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. He was released from the county jail July 4, 2021, on a $5,000 bond, according to jail reports.
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.
