This Week's Headlines

SJC named a top online school in nation

May 3 candidate filing deadline nears

Trucker no longer sought in fatal crash

BAHEP holds Quasar banquet

Longtime resident Joe Bennett dies at 76

House catches fire in Sycamore Valley

IRS warns of possible tax scams

Joe Bennett dies at 76

Leader continues its Year in Review

JINYA Ramen Bar awards Melillo students certificates

CB decathlon competes at regional

SJC launches global logistics degree

Stuchbery Elementary celebrates Lunar New Year

Stuchbery recognizes Stallions of the month

Thompson Lions observe Chinese New Year

South Belt names Super Steers of the month

Key returnees lead Dobie softball

Longhorns’ track programs start fast at Kethan Relays

San Jac baseball wins five of seven

Boys’ basketball postseason in focus as bidistrict nears

Calhoun vows to soak in final season at UT-Arlington

Stuchbery Big Shoot Out winners

Atkinson Eagles compete during PISD’s BSO

Crawford, a Clear Creek ISD coaching legend, now owns a court at Clear Springs

Sharonda McDonald heads 2025 PISD Hall of Famers

Dobie baseball players earn collegiate scholarships



SJC named a top online school in nation

Area school ranks 42nd on Newsweek’s list of country’s top-250 online colleges

San Jacinto College has been recognized as one of America’s Top Online Colleges for 2025, according to a new study released by Newsweek.

Published on Newsweek’s website and print publications late last year, the ranking placed San Jacinto College 42nd out of 250 institutions nationwide to make the list.

California State University’s online program topped the list.

“Online learning continues to expand in the United States as colleges and other education providers seek to attract students who live outside the immediate area and working adults drawn to the flexibility of online classes. Studies suggest online learning has yet to reach its peak and is expected to grow in coming years,” said Newsweek Editor Nancy Cooper. “For those looking to further their knowledge – from individual non-degree courses for the curious or for professional development to a full academic degree – online schools offer customized opportunities to people in all stages of life. With so many choices and no physical location to visit, finding the right program can be challenging.”

San Jacinto College Chancellor Brenda Hellyer said the honor validates the area college’s commitment to its online program.

“This recognition from Newsweek validates our ongoing commitment to providing accessible, high-quality online education that meets the needs of our diverse student population,” said Hellyer. “Being ranked 42nd among the nation’s top online colleges demonstrates that our investment in digital learning technologies and student support services is helping students complete their higher education credential.”

The ranking was based on a comprehensive evaluation of online education programs across the United States. The assessment considered four key pillars: institutional indicators, rating of experience, overall satisfaction and student recommendations.

Rankings were determined through an extensive study involving more than 10,000 individuals who have completed online college degrees in the United States. The evaluation criteria included organization, support, price, reputation, success, recommendation, practical relevance and overall satisfaction with the online learning experience.
Newsweek was assisted by data research firm Statista in calculating the study’s findings.

San Jacinto College offers 26 associate degrees and 34 workforce certificates entirely online. Students can earn a degree in areas such as computer information technology, health care, global logistics, general studies and business. The college’s online programs offer students the flexibility to pursue their educational goals while maintaining work and family commitments, according to college officials.

“This prestigious recognition reflects the college’s commitment to delivering high-quality online education and meeting the evolving needs of today’s students,” a statement from San Jacinto College read.

For more information about San Jacinto College’s online programs, visit sanjac.edu/online.

For more information on the Newsweek study or to see the full list of America’s Top Online Schools, visit www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-top-online-college-2025.

May 3 candidate filing deadline nears

Pasadena ISD, CCISD, SJC to hold school board elections

The deadline for potential candidates to file to run in an upcoming school board election is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14.

On Saturday, May 3, area voters will decide who will serve in many Pasadena ISD, Clear Creek ISD and San Jacinto College board positions.

Pasadena ISD
To be decided in Pasadena ISD are the Position 1 seat currently held by Paola Gonzalez, the Position 2 seat currently held by Crystal Davila, the Position 3 seat currently held by Nelda Sullivan and the Position 4 seat currently held by Casey Phelan.

All incumbents have filed for re-election.
At press time, challengers for Gonzalez’s Position 1 seat included Mary Davis and Maria Castillo.

Tammie Nielsen had filed to challenge Crystal Dávila for the Position 2 seat.
Fina Govea is challenging Sullivan for her Position 3 seat.

And perennial candidate Yen Rabe filed to challenge Phelan for his Position 4 seat.

All positions are at large. Terms are four years.

At press time, it remained unclear what was being done to fill the Position 7 seat recently vacated by the death of longtime board member Vickie Morgan late last year. Pasadena ISD officials said they were in discussions with the district’s legal team to soon come to a resolution on the matter.

For additional information on Pasadena ISD’s 2025 election, visit www.pasadenaisd.org/60559_3.

Clear Creek ISD
Voters in Clear Creek ISD will decide who will fill the District 1 position currently held by Jessica Cejka and the At Large Position B seat currently held by Scott Bowen.

Both incumbents have filed to seek re-election. Joe Macho has filed to challenge Cejka for the District 1 position, and Rebecca Lilley (from Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital) has filed to challenge Bowen for the At-Large Position B seat.
Terms are three years each.

To apply for a position on the ballot, interested individuals may download the Candidate Application and Information Packet at ccisd.net/elections; pick up a packet in person at the Clear Creek ISD Education Support Center at 2425 E. Main St. in League City; or request a packet by email to elections@ccisd.net.

For additional information on Clear Creek ISD’s 2025 election, visit ccisd.net/elections.

San Jacinto College
In the San Jacinto College District, voters will select who will fill the Position 3 seat vacated by Leader founder and longtime board member Marie Flickinger late last year shortly before her death.

At press time, Oscar Del Toro, Mariel Jimenez, Frank Ortiz, Salvador Serrano Jr. and Judy Harrison had filed to run for the Position 3 seat.

Also to be decided is who will serve in Position 4 seat currently held Larry Wilson.

Wilson has filed to maintain his position. At press time, he had no challengers.
Terms are six years each.

For additional information on San Jacinto College 2025 election, visit www.sanjac.edu/about/board-trustees/board-election.


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