First Day at Paris Junior College
FIRST DAY
Students and faculty wore masks and complied with social distancing requirements as the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus opened Tuesday to begin its fall 2020 semester. Above, campus Director Rob Stanley, standing at right, visited English Instructor Ken Haley’s class to welcome Haley and his students to campus. All classrooms have been reduced in capacity to comply with CDC requirements. Call the campus at 903-885-1232 for more information.
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 Man Accused Of Choking A Female
A 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused of choking a female at a residence on Sept. 6, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Communications Operators dispatched Deputies Drew Fisher and Justin Wilkerson, along with Sgt. Tanner Steward, at 10:19 p.m. Sept. 6 to a County Road 1174 residence, where residents were reported to be embroiled in a physical altercation.
Upon arrival, Fisher reported seeing a female crying while seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. A male at the residence was alleged to have assaulted her.
Fisher contacted the man standing in a residence doorway and asked him to step out and talk with him. He responded by slamming the door. Fisher approached the door and again asked the man to step out to talk to him regarding the alleged assault. The man asked if the deputies had a warrant. Fisher explained that he did not need one due to the ongoing assault.
Sgt. Steward then arrived. The man, identified in arrest reports as Matthew James Conley, opened the door and talked with Steward, while Fisher talked with the female.
Deputies determined, based on information gleaned, that Conley choked the woman. Conley allegedly became very argumentative and physically resisted deputies, after being detained at 10:44 p.m. for assault. Deputies reported forcing Conley to a patrol vehicle and into the backseat. Steward transported Conley to jail, where he was booked for family violence assault impeding breathing or circulation.
Conley remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Sept. 8. Bond on the felony charge was set at $20,000.
Sunday, Sept. 6, was not the first time time Conley has been jailed in Hopkins County on assault charges, according to jail reports. He was also jailed in Hopkins County for assault causing bodily injury on Oct. 27, 1995 and Jan. 30, 1996; injury to a child on July 3, 1996; family violence assault causing bodily injury on Nov. 1, 2004, and Nov. 1, 2013, according to jail records.
Sunday was the second time in the last month that Conley has been booked into Hopkins County jail; he was also arrested Aug. 16, 2020, for driving while license invalid.
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.
Firearms, Suspected Black Tar Heroin, Cocaine Found During Interstate 30 Traffic Stop
Sep 8, 2020 – Firearms and suspected black tar heroin and cocaine were allegedly found during an Interstate 30 traffic stop early Tuesday morning, resulting in a Dallas man’s arrest on three felony charges, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Scott Davis at 1:21 a.m. Sept. 8 spotted a tan Chevrolet Tahoe, which fit the description of a vehicle called in to 911 dispatchers as possibly being driven by a drunk driver on I-30 east near mile marker 120. Davis reported the sport utility vehicle was not being driven in a single lane when he noticed it. The SUV drifted onto the shoulder, then was driven halfway between both lanes of travel, so he stopped it at mile marker 121.
Upon contact with the driver, Davis reported the man appeared to be “highly nervous,” to the point his hands trembled. He also spoke as if rambling, Davis wrote in arrest reports. The driver, identified in reports as 28-year-old Charles Edwin Brooks II of Dallas, reportedly admitted to being a convicted felon and that he had firearms in the vehicle. When asked if he had any illegal narcotics in the vehicle, the Dallas man denied having any, and claimed to be nervous because of firearms in the SUV. He also had a dog and cat in the vehicle with him.
Davis had Brooks step out of the vehicle with the cat while he searched the SUV. Davis reported seeing an open prescription bottle with no label that contained what appeared to be xanax pills.
HCSO Deputy Colt Patterson arrived to assist Davis with the vehicle search. Found in the passenger’s seat were a black bank bag and hard glasses case alleged to contain multiple used syringes, a black tar-like substance believed to be heroin and a small bag containing a white, powdery substance suspected to be cocaine, a belt of the kind used as a tourniquet and multiple other items containing residue of suspected black tar heroin. A rifle and pistol were reportedly found on the back floorboard. A large amount of jewelry was also allegedly strewn throughout the vehicle.
Due to the circumstances and Brooks’ criminal history, the vehicle was taken to the sheriff’s office sally port, awaiting contact with the man’s sister to confirm the items were not stolen. Brooks was taken into custody at 1:36 a.m. and booked into Hopkins County jail just before 4 a.m. Sept. 8 on an unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge and two possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges, according to arrest reports. The dog and cat were turned over to Sulphur Springs Animal Rescue.
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 New Cases, 53 Active Cases Of COVID-19 As Of Sept. 7 For Hopkins County
Hopkins County Emergency Management officials reported three additional Hopkins County residents received positive COVID-19 test results, which bumps the number of active cases to 53 and cumulative cases since March to 255, as of Labor Day.
COVID-19 updates are no longer being provided on weekends, just Monday-Friday. Thus, any new case or recovery reported on Mondays are the total of any reports received since the Friday afternoon report.
Sept. 7 was the sixth consecutive day officials reported no recoveries. That leaves the overall number of Hopkins County resident who have recovered from novel coronavirus 2019 from midMarch through Sept. 7 at 202. HCEM officials reported.
There were four patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs on Labor Day, the same as on Sept. 2 but one more than was reported on Sept. 4 by the HCEM officials.
The local emergency management officials Monday also announced that free COVID-19 testing had resumed at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Monday. The free testing will continue to be offered from 9 to 5 p.m. daily through Wednesday, then, will be offered again Sept. 11-12. There are no requirements for testing, but those who plan to be tested should register online at GoGetTested.com.
Also, Texas Department of State Health Services had assigned no new COVID-19 deaths to Hopkins County as of the agency’s last report at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 7. So the Hopkins county COVID-19 fatality total is still 8.
All 7 of the residents at Wesley House who tested positive for COVID-19 had recovered as of Aug. 21, as had the 4 employees who tested positive, according to Texas Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 Self Reported Case Count report for Assisted Living Facilities.
There were no active COVID-19 cases reported by HHS for Sulphur Springs nursing homes on Aug. 21 nor for child care centers as of Sept. 3, the most current reports for each.
Wildcats Football Coach’s Critique of First Day of Practice: Lackluster
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens released some frustration as he delivered his parting words to his team after their first official practice of the season on Labor Day, Monday morning (September 7). Coach Owens referred to it as a lackluster day.
He said it could have been due to anything, such as a morning practice, the heat and humidity or even wearing a helmet. Coach Owens said players seemed whiny. He said it was up to the team to get better by picking up their attitude and effort, two things he says the team hangs its’ hat on. Coach Owens challenged the players to get right and get better.
The first hour of practice Monday, in the Multipurpose Building, featured weightlifting and by position drills. Then, things moved outside to the practice field for the next hour and a half.
After another practice in helmets, shorts and jerseys Tuesday, the players will be able to put on pads on Wednesday. However, the UIL mandates that the first couple of days in pads can’t include contact.
That is expected to change Saturday during a team intrasquad scrimmage in the morning. Picture Day is also Saturday. The Wildcats are pointing toward a September 17 scrimmage against Mount Pleasant at Gerald Prim Stadium.
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.
Lady Cats Volleyball Has First Official Day Of Practice Monday
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Bailey Dorner said her team’s first official practice of the season on Labor Day, Monday morning (September 7), was good.
She said her players showed up prepared and worked hard. The practice began with an hour long weightlifting session. The Lady Cats hit the court at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School at around 9 a.m. Coach Dorner even joined her players for some of the varsity competition.
She says she has determined which players will be on varsity, JV and freshmen teams. Coach Dorner said things could change due to a players performance.
The Lady Cats will have a big scrimmage session at home Saturday. They will be playing Forney, Greenville and Princeton between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Coach Dorner said she would utilize three gyms. She said all three of the scrimmage opponents are good and would provide a good test for the Lady Cats. Coach Dorner said the Lady Cats are excited to be able to play someone else.
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.
Emory Man Accused Of Driving Drunk With Kids In Vehicle
A 36-year-old Emory man was accused driving drunk with kids in the vehicle when it crashed on County Road 4710 Saturday night, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde responded around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, to what was reported as a one vehicle rollover crash on County Road 4710 at County Road 4711. The driver was identified as Christopher Paul Aguilar of Emory.
Aguilar allegedly admitted to consuming 5-6 beers, and also displayed indicators of intoxication during a roadside interview. Aguilar showed clues of intoxication on standard field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for DWI.
Aguilar’s two children, ages 9 and 11 years, were reported to be in the GMC Envoy at the time it crashed, but had been removed by Aguilar’s family members from the scene prior to the trooper’s arrival.
The 36-year-old Emory man allegedly tested 0.159 and 0.171, above the legal 0.08 limit on breath tests conducted at the jail and was arrested for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger under the of 15 years in the vehicle.
Aguilar was released from Hopkins County jail Sept. 6 on a $5,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Man Used 2 Vehicles, Including One Occupied By Woman and Infant, During Pursuit
A 29-year-old Marlin Falls man allegedly used at least 2 vehicles, including one occupied by a woman and infant, during a pursuit that spanned two counties, involved a home burglary and two crashes early Saturday morning, according to arrest reports.
A deputy with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 3:07 a.m. Sept. 5 attempted to stop a gold Mazda that failed to stop at the Jefferson Street overpass and south service road. Instead of stopping, the driver allegedly continued through the E-Z Mart parking lot, then west on the south service road. The deputy initiated a pursuit going the wrong direction on East Shannon Road. When the vehicle continued into oncoming traffic, the deputy called off his pursuit of the car out of concern for public safety. He last saw the vehicle traveling west in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 30, HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward alleged in arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs police and other deputies had responded to assist when the pursuit began. Police dispatchers reported the vehicle was seen travelling south on State Highway 154. Responding deputies drove in that direction in an attempt to locate the gold Mazda.
At 3:24 a.m., dispatchers received a call that a man wearing a pink and white shirt and jeans had broken into his residence, demanded the keys to a vehicle and fled south on FM 2297, then to State Highway 154 south into Wood County, according to sheriff’s and arrest reports.
A deputy pursued the stolen vehicle into Wood County, where the car reportedly went off the road, into a pasture, then into a pond near Quitman. Not deterred, the driver then allegedly attempted to run from officers. Deputies deployed their Tasers onto the man and took him into custody at 3:49 a.m. Sept. 5, 2020. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Colby Garrett Good of Marlin Falls, was transported to a Quitman hospital.
At 3:45 a.m Sept. 5 sheriff’s dispatchers received a call reporting that a female with a child, a 29-year-old with a 30-week old infant, were in the gold Mazda when the man fled from authorities. The car was found on FM 2297, where it had gone off the road into a ditch and crashed into a fence near the residence that had been broken into and demanded the vehicle keys. At least one patient was transported to the hospital by EMS, according to dispatch and arrest reports. The suspect, Good, was later identified as the suspect who broke into the home and took the vehicle.
Colby Garrett Good as taken int custody in Quitman later Saturday, Sept. 5 and transported to Hopkins County jail. He was booked Saturday evening on second-degree felony charges of burglary of a habitation and abandoning or endangering a child–criminal negligence, a third -degree felony charge of evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and a felony charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, according to arrest reports.
Among the deputies assisting in the pursuit and arrest were Deputies Elijah Fite, Drew Fisher, Justin Wilkerson, Kevin Lester and Chris Baumann, according to sheriff’s reports.
Good remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning. His bonds totaled $140,000 — $50,000 each on the burglary and child endangerment charge, $30,000 on the evading arrest charge and $10,000 on the stolen vehicle charge, 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.
Free COVID-19 Testing Offered At Hopkins County Civic Center This Week
Free COVID-19 testing will be offered again from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday this week at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, Hopkins County Emergency Management officials announced. No symptoms are required. Children may be tested, provided they are accompanied by parent or guardian. To register, go online to GoGetTested.com
Sept. 7-11, 2020 Meal A Day Menu
Although the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center remains closed due to COVID-19, volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The Sept. 7-11, 2020 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday – Beef Stroganoff, English Peas and Garlic Toast
Tuesday – Oven Omelet, Sliced Ham, Blueberry Muffins and Mandarin Oranges
Wednesday – Chicken and Dumplings, Crackers and Tossed Salad
Thursday – Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole, Hominy Casserole and California Blend Vegetables
Friday – Chicken Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and 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.
