Graduation Celebration at PJC-Sulphur Springs
Jocelyn Sanchez Ambriz, left, is getting ready to make her graduation walk at Paris Junior College May 7 as she receives her cap and gown from PJC Student Records/Recruiting Coordinator Norma Steed at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center.
Ambriz, an accounting major, is an office secretary at the Sulphur Springs Center where she also took her classes.
“I loved my college experience at PJC,” she said.
Social distancing is being practiced in ways shown, but not limited to, the photo shown above.
For information about enrollment and scholarship opportunities at the PJC Center, call 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Sulphur Springs Elementary Robotics Club Meets Mako
And the Robot’s Name Is ….
(Photos Courtesy Holly Ragan, CMFH-SS)
Fifty students who are a part of the Sulphur Springs Elementary Robotics Club, comprised of 4th and 5th grade students, Friday, April 23, visited CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, where they had the opportunity to get an up-close look at the facility’s newest technology.
The students “met” the Mako Robot, named … “Kneemo” Fourth grader Kylie Harrison and fifth grader Matthew Evans selected the winning name for the Mako Robot: in the robot naming challenge issued to elementary students.
The SSES Robotics Club met Dr. Chris Meltsakos, orthopedic surgeon, and Stryker representatives showed them how the Mako Robot works with a saw bones demonstration. As an added treat, students were allowed to help calibrate the robot for the demonstration.
After the meet and greet, photos were taken and the students enjoyed pizza and cookies. The club is under the direction of Amanda Higginbotham and Jairo Ramirez.
Smith Sentenced To Life In Prison For Continuous Sexual Abuse Of Young Children
Kenneth Charles Smith was sentenced in the 8th Judicial Court in Hopkins County to life in prison for continuous sexual abuse of children under age 14, according to court reports.
Smith was initially charged in September 2019 with indecency with a child, after a 15-year-old who does not reside in Sulphur Springs, made an outcry and Sulphur Springs Police were alerted. The teen alleged she was sexually molested at a Sulphur Springs address when she was 11 years old, Sulphur Springs Police Detective Brian Shurtleff reported following Smith’s arrest on Sept. 4, 2019 on the indecency charge.
As part of the police investigation, the teen was interviewed at a child advocacy center by a forensic interviewer specially trained to speak with juveniles reading allegations of abuse or crimes, the detective reported. Based on the police investigation, a warrant was attained for Kenneth Charles Smith’s arrest on an indecency with a child by sexual contact charge, Shurtleff reported in 2019. Smith was indicted in November of 2019 on the indecency with a child by sexual contact charge, according to court records.
As investigation into the case progressed and prosecutors were preparing for Smith’s trial, officials received information alleging offenses involving additional victims. A total of four child victims had been identified in July 2020. Based on the police investigation, authorities believed Smith “was preying on early teens and prepubescent teens,” Shurtleff alleged last summer. Smith was served July 20, 2020, at the county jail (where he has remained since his arrest on Sept. 4, 2019) with a warrant, alleging continuous sexual abuse of a child or children based on the additional allegations from the investigation. Smith was indicted in September 2020 for the offense of continuous sexual abuse of a young child or children under age 14, according to arrest and court records.
A continuous sexual abuse of a child charge is a first-degree felony offense, punishable upon conviction with “imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life, or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 25 years,” according to Title 5, Chapter 21, Section 21.02 of Texas Penal Code.
Smith was set for trial last month, but the parties came to an agreement to allow the defendant to plead “no contest” to one allegation of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The court ordered a pre-sentence investigation report be compiled prior to the April 26, 2021 sentencing hearing in the 8th Judicial District Court in Hopkins County, according to the district attorney’s office.
Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris reportedly called three witnesses during the hearing, arguing for a life sentence; the 58-year-old Sulphur Springs man was sentenced to life in prison. Under current parole law, Smith will be eligible for parole in 30 years.
When Looking for New Plants, Look Carefully, by Mario Villarino
Proper selection is the single most important factor in determining how long a plant will survive following purchase. The selection process not only involves the needs but also quality and a knowledge of the specific cultural requirements of the plants.
Your needs play an important role in the selection process. Plants are purchased for a variety of reasons (gifts, holidays, decorative accents, etc.) and each defines the consumers expectations of the product. Helping to identify these needs will make selection of the appropriate plant much easier.
Selecting a high quality product is important. You should look for plants that are sturdy, clean, shapely, well-potted, and that have dense, healthy foliage.
Avoid plants which have yellow or chlorotic leaves, burned leaf margins, water soaked or wilted foliage, spots or blotches and rank, spindly growth. Also avoid plants that have been mechanically damaged in some way, have obviously dropped lower leaves or appear wilted.
Flowering plants with only one half to three fourths of their flowers fully open will extend the blooming cycle for maximum enjoyment. Plants should be free of insects and diseases. Check the undersides of leaves and leaf axils for the presence of insect pests.
Also, avoid plants with gray, moldy or water soaked flowers. Many plants grown in full sun have leaves (sun leaves) which are structurally different from those grown in the shade (shade leaves). Since sun leaves receive more light, they are typically less efficient at photosynthesis than shade leaves.
Therefore, when plants with sun leaves are placed in low light areas, they frequently drop their foliage and make a new set of shade leaves which are photosynthetically more efficient.
To reduce the shock which occurs when a plant with sun leaves is placed in the shade, gradually reduce the light levels it is exposed to. This process is known as acclimatization. Consumers should acclimatize plants when placing them outside during summer by gradually increasing light intensities.
The process is reversed before plants are brought indoors in fall. Newly purchased plants can be acclimatized by initially locating them in a high-light area of the home (southern exposure) and gradually moving them to their permanent low light location over 3-4 weeks.
Coming up:
The Hopkins County Master Gardeners would like to invite you to participate at the 2021 Plant Swap this coming Saturday May 1, 2021 starting at 9:00 AM at the parking lot of the Bright Star Veterinary Clinic located at 744 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs. All types of plant varieties will be offered for swapping or donation.
This is a great opportunity to get a good plant and spent little money. Since the plants in the swap are usually excess plants, the plants offered are a good option to grow in Hopkins County. For more information please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
It’s Take Two as Lady Cats and Hallsville Have Playoff Seeding Game Monday at Mount Pleasant
After a rain out Friday (April 23), the Lady Cats Softball Team will try again Monday as they have a seeding game with Hallsville at 6 p.m. at Mount Pleasant.
The Lady Cats and Lady Bobcats tied for first place in district play with 11-1 records and both teams won their district game against the other at home.
The winner between the two co-district champs will be the district’s #1 seed and the other will be #2. The Lady Cats are 21-3 for the season and they have won 12 games in a row including 11 straight district games since their loss at Hallsville on March 9.
The Lady Cats won against the Lady Bobcats at Lady Cat Park on April 2. KSST sister station, KRVA-FM, at 107.1, will have the Lady Cats and Hallsville softball game live from Mount Pleasant.
The game will feature streaming video. The game will also be videotaped for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Also over the weekend, the Wildcats Baseball Team’s scheduled Saturday afternoon game at Rowlett was canceled.
Rowlett had to make up a rained out district game on Saturday.
The Wildcats wrap up district play Tuesday at first place Hallsville. The Wildcats are currently tied for 4th place with Marshall. Both are 6-5 in district play.
While the Wildcats take on Hallsville Tuesday, Marshall plays at 6th place Mount Pleasant.
If the Wildcats and Mavericks end up tied with just each other, they will have to play a game to settle the 4th place playoff spot.
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.
Outstanding 4-H, Miller Grove FFA Members, Extension Agent Recognized
Two outstanding 4- members, two Miller Grove FFA members and an Extension Agent received recognition during Monday’s Hopkins County Commissioners Court meeting.
Janie Crump Scholarships
Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agents Johanna Hicks and Mario Villarino awarded Jorja Bessonett, a member of Miller Grove 4-H Club, and Savannah Allen, a member of the Sulphur Springs Infiniti 4-H Club as well as Sulphur Springs FFA, with $500 Janie Crump Memorial Scholarships. This award is endowed by the Extension Service in honor of the late Janie Crump, a retire longtime Hopkins County Extension Agent. The award is presented to outstanding youth involved in the program.
Hicks noted that both come from 4-H families. Bessonett’s grandmother and mother were both 4-H members.
Both young ladies have achieved numerous accolated throughout their time with the program. Each is a Gold Star recipient, the highest honor attainable in 4-H and each received the Danforth I Dare You award for outstanding leadership. She has served in several offices in the club, county and district level. Her major projects have been foods and nutrition, family life, beef and health and personal safety. She also received fourth place at state in the record book category, which chronicles their involvement in 4-H, community service and leadership activities. She’s also been very active in community service project at the club and community levels.
Hicks noted Bessonett is also a very talented athlete and a scholars, ranked first in her class at Miller Grove ISD.
Bessonett plants to major in kinesiology at Texas A&M University-Commerce, then complete the diagnostic medical stenography program.
Allen has held 4-H offices in the local club, county and state level, most recently serving as a Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador. Her major projects have included beef, leadership, goats, veterinary science, food and nutrition, public speaking, livestock judging.
She is also an active member of the Sulphur Springs FFA.
Allen plans major in animal science and minor in ag economics at Texas A&M University.
Both Bessonett and Allen have been invited for an interview in College Station for Texas 4-H Opportunities Scholarships on April 24, and will find out in May whether or not they have been selected to receive the state 4-H scholarship award.
District 4-H Round Up
Hicks noted three Hopkins County youth received honors for their participation in the District 4-H Roundup in Farmersville.
Rylie Carroll received first place honors in Fashion Review and the Good Show contests, and third in Public Speaking, qualifying her for state in all three senior level events. However, because she cannot be everywhere at one, she will compete in only two of the senior categories.
Diego Childs won top honors in Poetry and Prose and seventh place in Food Show main dish in the intermediate division of the District 4-H Roundup.
Blaine Allen earned third place honors in the intermediate division Food Show Side Dish competition at the District 4-H Roundup.
Miller Grove FFA Ag Mechanics
Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley offered appreciation to two members of the Miller Grove FFA for the outstanding workmanship on a project commissioned for Hopkins County Fire Department.
Endsley explained that the fire department approached MGISD agriculture teacher Jeff Gatlin about having students construct a trailer for a pump that could be transported to rural settings, located next to a water way, and used to draft water for uses so that trucks would not have to leave the field to refill tanks during a firefight. It was at the school year when schools closed following spring break 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic. The students, upon return to school this year, have worked on the project during the school year, putting in many extra hours after school to complete the trailer
The students showed the trailer at San Angelo and Hopkins County ag mechanics contests, where the Miller Grove FFA project earned blue ribbons, according to Endsley.
“We are very proud of that. Congratulations. We’d just like to show our appreciation to Parker Dyer and Clayton Tackel,” Endsley said, presenting the MGFFA members with a certificate of appreciation for their work constructing the pump trailer.
Extension Honors
Hicks also received notification from Texas Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences that she will recognized in at the annual conference in July with three awards: the School Wellness Award, Excellence in Teamwork for 4-H Fashion & Interior Design project, and Innovative Youth Development Award for Skills Camp.
Those awards and three additional awards have been forwarded for national judging, with award recipients to be announced in May.
Other Extension Reports
Hicks reported seven participated in the February online “A Fresh Start to a Healthier You” course.
A total of 20 participated in the “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes,” online series offered by Hopkins, Fannin, Titus and Rockwall counties, including seven Hopkins County participants, and one California resident who registered under Hopkins County.
Five participated in the three-day Adult Sewing Workshop held in late March; four of the five were beginning sewers and a few continue to come back for additional sewing tips and challenges.
Hopkins County hosted the District 4-H Food Challenge at Hopkins County Civic Center; the event drew 38 teams from across the East Texas region. In fact, Extension has gotten to host more than one Extension Agent meeting because of the city’s central location in the region and the availability of space.
Master Wellness volunteers will be heading up a Walk Across Texas initiative starting in May, man an Extension exhibit at the 55+ Health Fair which is also in May, and will assist the Extension Agents in summer youth camp programs.
Villarino thanked the commissioners for seeing to facility repair needs and noted an issue the Extension office has been experiencing with interrupted internet service. Hicks noted the Internet issues have been ongoing for the last couple of months. Villarino noted reliable Internet service is critical for some of the office’s functions and program involvement. The Extension Office’s internet service is tied into the service at the Civic Center. Villarino asked the court to consider addressing the issue. Judge Robert Newsom suggested the Extension Agents and court speak with Civic Center Manager Lonnie Fox about the matter immediately following the morning Commissioners Court meeting.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley complimented the strong and ever growing programs of the local AgriLife Extension Service.
Claire Bybee Wins Pole Vault and Qualifies For State Track Meet at Regional Track Meet Saturday
Lady Cat pole vaulter Claire Bybee is going to the State Track Meet. Bybee took first place at the Region II Track Meet Saturday (April 24) at UT-Arlington.
Bybee’s winning mark was 12′ 9”. Bybee will compete at the Class 5A State Track Meet May 7-8 at UT Austin.
Three other Lady Cats and two Wildcats also competed at the Regional Track Meet.
Lady Cat Bre’ Asia took 5th in the region in the 100-meter dash on Saturday. To get to the finals, Ivery had to qualify in prelims earlier Saturday.
Ivery also competed in the long jump Friday but did not qualify for the finals. Dalanee Myles was in the high jump Friday. Myles cleared 5′ but did not place. Haylee Shultz competed in the 3200-meter run Friday but did not make the top six.
Wildcat Jermaine Cleveland was in the triple jump. During prelims Saturday, Cleveland made the finals. His best effort in the finals was 42’11” but he did not finish in the top six.
Korderrian “Bull” Turner competed in the long jump and triple jump but was unable to make the finals in prelims in either event.
Wildcats Track Coach Matt Young called it a very solid weekend for the SSHS’ teams.
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.
Dinner Bell Menu For April 28, 2021
Christus Mother Frances Hospital is the Community Partner for this week.
Dinner Bell continues as a Grab and Go operation. To secure meals proceed through the covered driveway (Porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus after 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Meatloaf and Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
California Blend Vegetables with Parmesan Crumb Topping
Garden Salad
Yeast Rolls
Pecan Pie Cake
WASH HANDS OFTEN. KEEP DISTANCES. WEAR MASKS. GET YOUR VACCINE. STAY
HEALTHY. DINNER BELL CARES!!!
PLEASE PLEASE continue to WEAR MASK. Get your SHOTS when you can. STAY SAFELY from OTHERS. WASH YOUR HANDS. OFTEN. DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH.
Dinner Bell remains a Grab and Go distribution system for meals. Meals may be secured by driving under the covered driveway on the Northeast Corner of The First United Methodist Church Campus after 11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays.
Texas Ranger Ticket Giveaway #1
KSST has Texas Ranger Baseball tickets available for the Friday April 30th, 2021 game against the Boston Red Socks.
This years tickets will be offered in a digital format. To be a winner, you will need to download and install the Offical MLB Ball Park App for your smart device. Think of the app as a digital wallet for your tickets.
How to Win
Like KSST and this post on Facebook to enter. Winners will be chosen at random. Remember, you will need to provide a valid email address, and that email must be linked to your MLB Ballpark app.
The Process
Once you win, KSST will forward the digital ticket information to your email. Your MLB Ballpark app will accept the ticket information and store them until you need them. You will need to take your device to the ballpark to display the QR code at the gate. Get all the details at MLB.COM
Just to be clear, KSST and KRVA did not receive paper tickets, so we can not furnish paper tickets to our winners.
Meal A Day Menu For April 26-30, 2021
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center has reopened, after being closed for more than a year due to COVID-19 precautions.
The Meal A Day Menu for April 26-30, 2021, includes:
- Monday – Apricot Glazed Chicken, Rice, Candied Carrots, Broccoli and Cheese
- Tuesday – Rope Sausage, Navy Beans, Cornbread and Green Tomato Relish
- Wednesday – Chicken Spaghetti, English Peas, Garlic Toast and Salad
- Thursday – Soft Beef Tacos, Lettuce. Tomato, Onion, Refried Beans, Chips and Salsa
- Friday – Chicken Strips, Mashed Potatoes and Pepper Gravy, Green Beans and a Roll
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
