Dinner Bell for July 10th, 2024
The Dinner Bell is pleased to Honor Grocery Supply Company and Fidelity Express for many years of contributions and personal involvement with its ministry.
Grocery Supply Company was founded in 1947 in Mt. Vernon, Texas by Curtis McKenzie, Kenneth McKenzie and Woodrow Brittain. In 1953 it moved to Sulphur Springs on Oak Avenue at the train tracks. Presently the operation is located at the corner of Hillcrest Drive N and Main Street. Its purpose and business model is “Impacting Lives Through Exceptional Service” as a full-line wholesale distribution company for convenience stores in fourteen states.
Today GSC Enterprises, Inc operates two primary business segments: Grocery Supply Company that meets the needs of dry, refrigerated and frozen items for convenience stores and Fidelity Express. Fidelity Express, established in 1988, provides financial services such as money orders, bill pay, prepaid cards, gift cards and other walk-in cash products for independent retailers in 20 states and the District of Columbia.
GSC remains a family owned and operated business with second and third generations of the McKenzie family at its leadership. That family is truly devoted not only to its employees, their families and their customers, but also to the communities GSC Enterprises, Inc serves.
GRAB and GO with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway (porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus starting around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Meatloaf
Mashed potatoes
Bacon Infused Green Beans
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread Slices
Lemon Sheet Cake
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BY FOLLOWING SAFE HEALTH PRACTICES AS FLU AND COVID ARE STILL LURKING IN OUR MIDST. WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
Paris District Road Report for Week of July 8, 2024
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting July 8, 2024. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Safety Message: Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian traffic fatalities increased 30 percent in Texas from 2018 through 2022 and now account for one in five of all roadway deaths. In 2022, there were 5,766 crashes involving pedestrians in our state, resulting in 830 deaths. Another 1,526 people were seriously injured.
The top factors contributing to traffic crashes in Texas involving pedestrians are:
- Pedestrians failing to yield the right-of-way to vehicles.
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
- Driver inattention.
- Speeding.
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users because they aren’t equipped with protective equipment such as airbags, seat belts, and bumpers. All of us share a responsibility to follow the rules of the road and bring the number of pedestrian fatalities to zero. TxDOT offers the safety tips below to prevent a deadly encounter.
For pedestrians
- Cross the street only at intersections or crosswalks. Look left, right, then left again before crossing.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing. Don’t assume traffic will stop for you.
- Follow all traffic and crosswalk signals.
- Use the sidewalk. If there is not one, walk on the left side of the roadway or shoulder of the highway facing oncoming traffic, unless the left side of the shoulder of the highway facing oncoming traffic is obstructed or unsafe.
- When walking, put away electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
- Stay visible. Wear reflective materials and use a flashlight at night.
For drivers
- Stop and yield for pedestrians in crosswalks.
- When turning, yield the right of way to pedestrians.
- Be cautious when passing stopped buses or other vehicles that can block your view of pedestrians.
- Pay attention and put your phone away, so you’re prepared if pedestrians enter your path.
- Follow the posted speed limit and drive to conditions.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
Grayson County:
US 75, from US 82 to North Loy Lake Road. This project will rebuild and widen the US 75 mainlanes from four lanes to six lanes as well as reconstruct the entrance and exit ramps on US 75. The project will also reconstruct bridges at FM 691, Iron Ore Creek and Spur 503, and add U-turn bridges at Loy Lake Road in Sherman and Spur 503 in Denison. A reduced speed limit of 65 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the mainlanes of US 75 as well as frontage road lane closures within the project.
The U-turn lanes for the US 75 frontage roads at FM 691 will be closed to traffic beginning July 12 to allow crews to work on constructing the middle portion of the new US 75 bridge over FM 691. During this closure traffic wishing to make a U-turn at the intersection is asked to turn left onto FM 691 and make another left at the next signal light.
The exit ramp from northbound US 75 to North Loy Lake Road in Denison is closed permanently. Travelers who wish to access North Loy Lake Road from northbound US 75 will detour up to Crawford Street, make a U-turn at the Crawford Street intersection, and head south on the frontage road to reach North Loy Lake Road.
The entrance ramp on the southbound frontage road onto US 75, north of Spur 503 and south of Loy Lake Road, is permanently closed. This closure is part of the reconstruction of US 75 from US 82 to Loy Lake Road in Denison. Motorists who wish to travel south on US 75 from its intersection with Loy Lake Road are advised to note this change. A detour is in place requiring traffic to continue on the southbound frontage road, around Spur 503, to the entrance ramp for US 75 southbound located north of the FM 691 intersection. Signs will alert travelers and guide them along this detour route.
The northbound US 75 frontage road is closed to thru traffic north of FM 691 in order to replace the frontage road bridge over Iron Ore Creek. Work for the construction of the new US 75 northbound frontage road Iron Ore Creek bridge and northbound frontage road pavement is currently in progress. This work has an anticipated completion date of early August 2024. Motorists traveling along the northbound frontage road will take the northbound entrance ramp north of FM 691 and take exit 66 to access eastbound Spur 503. Local traffic wishing to return to FM 691 is asked to use Pool Road.
The westbound Spur 503 ramp to northbound US 75 is closed to traffic. A temporary detour is in place to divert this traffic onto the frontage road. Traffic will exit Spur 503 onto the frontage road using the new detour, continue along the Spur 503 frontage road which runs into the US 75 frontage road to the Loy Lake Road intersection. Traffic can continue along the frontage road through Loy Lake Road and then take the next entrance ramp to northbound US 75.
US 75, from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set on the mainlanes for this construction project. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91.
US 75, at the US 82 intersection. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads on the northbound and southbound US 75 frontage road lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street, as well as on the eastbound and westbound US 82 frontage road lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on construction of the new frontage road lanes and bridges.
US 82, from the Cooke County line to FM 901. Watch for daytime lane closures on the US 82 eastbound and westbound main lanes as crews work to perform base repairs, milling, and a pavement overlay.
Enterprise Road at Tributary to Harris Creek. Enterprise Road at the Tributary to Harris Creek is closed to through traffic as crews remove and replace the bridge structure and roadway approaches. During the closure, traffic is asked to use Wright Road, SH 289 and Plainview Road as the detour route.
FM 1417, from US 82 to SH 56. Travelers are advised that intermittent temporary daily lane closures will be required for both northbound and southbound FM 1417 while the contractor completes the remaining work.
US 82, from SH 91 to FM 1417 in Sherman. Watch for a lane closure on westbound US 82 between Texoma Parkway and Loy Lake Road as workers install a center median concrete barrier to help prevent crossover head-on collisions.
FM 121, from Main Street in Van Alstyne to SH 160. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 26 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82, from the Cooke County line to FM 131 in Sherman. Watch for lane closures as workers replace the bridge railing and guardrail approaches at each bridge structure and install median barrier. During construction, bridge travel will be reduced to one lane while crews replace the bridge railing. Currently, the contractor is working on the westbound US 82 lanes at Harris Creek and on the eastbound lanes at Post Oak Creek. On this project, the contractor is also installing a center median concrete traffic barrier between FM 1417 and FM 131. Motorists should expect lane closures while this work is underway.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, from the Collin County line to the Oklahoma State line. Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Friday morning during the overnight period. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete sections. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
US 75 debris pickup, from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday during the nighttime.
FM 902, from US 75 to SH 289. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 901, from FM 902 to SH 56. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 2729, from FM 902 to FM 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Fannin County:
FM 2990, at the North Sulphur River bridge. Beginning July 8 the FM 2990 bridge at the North Sulphur River will be closed to traffic permanently for removal as part of the new Lake Ralph Hall project. Traffic is asked to use SH 34 as the alternate route to FM 2990. Changeable message signs will be onsite to warn motorists of the upcoming closure.
FM 1753, at the Brushy Creek bridge. FM 1753 at the Brushy Creek bridge is closed to through traffic as crews remove and replace the bridge structure and roadway approaches. During the closure, traffic is asked to use FM 2645, FM 898, US 82, and FM 1752 as the detour route.
FM 274, from SH 78 to FM 1753. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 26 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone. FM 274 at Sandy Creek bridge is closed to thru traffic while the contractor replaces the existing bridge. During the closure traffic is asked to use FM 1753 and SH 78 as the detour.
SH 56 at Bois d’Arc Creek. SH 56 at Bois d’Arc creek is reduced to one lane with a signal in place to control traffic as crews work to remove and replace the bridge railing. Motorists should expect delays as signals control traffic through the construction zone.
SH 56 at Hutchins Creek and Caney Creek. SH 56 at Hutchins creek and Caney creek will be reduced to one lane with a signal in place to control traffic beginning the week of July 8, as crews will work to remove and replace the bridge railing as well as perform bridge repairs. Motorists should expect delays as signals control traffic through the construction zone.
CR 4020 at Caney Creek. CR 4020 at Caney Creek is closed to through traffic to allow for replacement of the bridge. During the closure traffic is asked to use CR 4025 as a detour.
FM 68, from SH 78 to FM 271. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 28 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 78, from US 82 to the Oklahoma State line. Watch for daytime shoulder closures and occasional lane closures as workers install sloped-end treatments on drainage structures and replace bridge rail and guardrail.
FM 100, from SH 56 to FM 2216. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 271, from SH 78 to FM 68. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
PR 34, from FM 273 to End of Maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews place a seal coat surface on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 2554, from FM 273 to End of Maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews place a seal coat surface on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 1743, from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews place a seal coat surface on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 2645, from FM 1753 to FM 898. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
Franklin County: SH 37, from US 67 to FM 71. Watch for shoulder closures and construction vehicles entering the roadway as crews perform paving operations.
Hopkins County: SH 19, from I-30 to Rains County Line. Watch for crews performing road rehabilitation operations and traffic shifts in the work areas.
Hopkins County: IH 30. Watch for nighttime lane closures as crews perform repairs to concrete pavement.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
Lamar County: Loop 286, from FM 1497 around the north loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures and traffic merges while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures and perform bridge maintenance.
Loop 286, from US 271 North going west to FM 79. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, crossing closures and merging traffic while crews place a bonded concrete surface and perform asphalt paving operations.
US 271, from LP 286 to Oklahoma State Line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures and traffic merges while crews resurface the pavement and perform bridge maintenance.
CR 26320 at Morrison Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 1497, from FM 1184 to FM 3426. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures
CR 16300 at Little Sandy Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
US 82 / Lamar Avenue, from 33rd street to 42nd street in Paris. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures in the nighttime hours while crews improve signals, install a raised center median, and resurface the roadway.
SH 24, Lamar & Delta Counties: from the FM 64 intersection to 1,540 feet east of FM 198. Watch for temporary lane closures and lane shifts while crews resurface the roadway and perform bridge rail upgrades.
SH 19/24, Lamar & Delta Counties: from LP 286 intersection to SH 19 . Watch for temporary lane closures and lane shifts while crews resurface the roadway, perform bridge rail upgrades, and bridge maintenance.
US 271, Lamar & Red River Counties: from FM 196 North to SH 37. Watch for temporary shoulder closures and trucks entering and exiting the highway as crews remove tree and brush from within right of way.
US 82, Lamar & Red River Counties: from State Loop 286 in Paris to Bowie County Line in Red River County. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures.
Delta County:
FM 2068 at East Fork of Jernigan Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 2675, from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 19 at South Sulphur and South Sulphur Relief. Watch for temporary shoulder closures while crews perform bridge maintenance.
Red River County:
CR 2127 at Scatter Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and a detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 2120, from FM 2573 to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 1487, from FM 910 to FM 412. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
Hunt County:
SH 34, from FM 1570 to FM 2101. The contractor has set barricades and work zone signs. The contractor has completed the flexible pavement repair on the main lanes and shoulders. The contractor has finished the placement of HMA overlay on the northbound and southbound lanes. Contractor has placed temporary striping and is backfilling pavement edges throughout the project. Guard fence and mow strip work is underway. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 11, from FM 2655 to SH 24. This project will add shoulders and replace drainage structures. The contractor has set barricades and has begun some prep right of way work in the area. SW3P devices will be installed soon. The contractor is waiting on soil conditions to dry out. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 11, from Culver Street to Live Oak. The contractor has placed work zone signs and barricades. Fencing installation and grate work is ongoing. Final signal work is underway, barrels and barricades have been removed to open lanes. Final punchlist items are underway. Oncor is working to supply power to the signal lights. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 1563, from SH 50 to SH 2655: This is a 2.7-mile rehabilitation project that will widen the existing roadway. The contractor has set work zone signs and barricades. The contractor has been working on cross culverts and culvert extensions on the project and placing flexbase and placing geogrid at various locations. Driveways are ongoing and are being completed by section of work. Contractor is waiting on dryer soil conditions. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2642, from FM 35 to SH 66: The contractor has set work zone signs and barricades. Excavation work for the detour is ongoing. The contractor has been working on the placement of storm sewer and culverts will continue along FM 2642 north of I-30 towards SH 66 with embankment and excavation work. Nighttime operations are currently being used for several cross culvert locations. The contractor is placing geogrid and flexbase on FM 2642 near Royse City high school moving north. The contractor placed barrier and crash cushions on FM35. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2649, from I-30 to FM 1567. The contractor has set barricades and work zone traffic signs. Cross culvert work is complete. The contractor has begun work on the final section of roadway, this work will begin with subgrade widening and treating the subgrade and vegetation establishment. Driveway pipes were being installed along with striping for the completed section. Grading and seeding will be completed soon. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30 intersection improvements from Monte Stratton to FM 1903. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The westbound I-30 main lanes have been realigned to detour paving around the existing westbound I-30 main lane bridge over FM 1570. This detour will remain in place until the new FM 1570 overpass is constructed. During the realignment, all I-30 westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane and diverted to the frontage road from Exit 89 (FM 1570) to FM 1903. The westbound frontage road at FM 1903 is one-way only along with the frontage roads along the project corridor. Traffic on FM 1903 from north of I-30 will have to turn right on the westbound frontage road and travel to State Highway 36 in order access I-30 east. The contractor plans to place more barriers and perform main lane widening and drainage work in the area. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30 Intersection Improvements from CR2511 to FM 1565: The contractor has begun prep right of way work and will begin setting barrier and low-profile barricades soon. Contractor is working on excavating and widening of the shoulders for phase 1 and placing RCP for temporary drainage on detours. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Hunt and Rains Counties Hunt County and Rains maintenance crews will be performing pothole repair work throughout Hunt and Rains County. Both crews are working on various roads in Hunt and Rains Counties placing fog seal on inhouse seal cot roads.
###
Fire Ants are a Significant Pest in Texas by Mario Villarino
July 5, 2024 – Fire ants, particularly the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta), are a significant pest in Texas, causing damage to property, livestock, wildlife, and human health. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides comprehensive guidelines for managing and controlling fire ant populations to mitigate their impact effectively. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy for controlling fire ants. This approach combines multiple methods to achieve long-term suppression while minimizing environmental impact. The IPM strategy includes the following steps:
Monitoring and Identification: Regular monitoring helps identify infested areas and assess the severity of the problem. Accurate identification of fire ant species is crucial for effective management, as different species may require different control methods. Cultural Practices: These practices involve modifying the environment to make it less favorable for fire ants. This can include maintaining healthy turf and vegetation, reducing moisture levels, and eliminating food sources. Proper landscape management can reduce the attractiveness of an area to fire ants. Biological Control: This method employs natural predators, pathogens, or competitors to reduce fire ant populations. Biological control agents, such as phorid flies (Pseudacteon spp.) and certain nematodes, target fire ants specifically and can help suppress their numbers over time. Chemical Control: Chemical treatments are a vital component of fire ant management. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension outlines several chemical control options: Baits: Baits are slow-acting insecticides that worker ants carry back to the colony, eventually killing the queen and other members. Baits are effective for large areas and provide long-term control. Individual Mound Treatments: These treatments involve applying insecticides directly to fire ant mounds. While effective for immediate results, they may not provide long-term control as new mounds can emerge. Broadcast Treatments: This method involves spreading granular insecticides over a large area. It provides broad coverage and can reduce the overall fire ant population. Regulatory Measures**: Implementing regulatory measures can help prevent the spread of fire ants to un-infested areas. This includes quarantines and restrictions on the movement of soil, plants, and other materials that may harbor fire ants.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension emphasizes the importance of community involvement and education in fire ant management. Public awareness campaigns, workshops, and educational materials are essential to inform residents about fire ant biology, behavior, and control methods. By engaging the community, the extension service aims to promote coordinated efforts for more effective fire ant suppression. Fire ants pose a significant challenge in Texas, but the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides a robust framework for their management. By employing an Integrated Pest Management approach, emphasizing community involvement, and supporting ongoing research, Texas can achieve more effective and sustainable fire ant control. For more information on these or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Killeen ISD Going ‘Cell Phone Free’
Erin Anderson | July 3, 2024
Students in a Central Texas school district will no longer be able to use cell phones in their classrooms.
Trustees in Killeen Independent School District voted to restrict cell phone usage for students starting this fall.
“Phone-free schools will allow our students to better concentrate on schoolwork,” said Susan Buckley, the district’s assistant superintendent for administrative services. “It will encourage face-to-face interactions and the development of interpersonal skills that directly impact student success, which is our ultimate goal.”
Killeen ISD trustees approved a plan to make all secondary campuses phone-free during a June 11 board meeting.
Under the plan, each student will be issued a phone pouch with a security lock to store their cell phones during the school day.
Students will keep possession of their phones in the pouches. If students need to use their phones, they must get permission and go to a “phone zone” where they can tap their pouch on an unlocking base.
The pouches and unlocking bases will cost $523,000 for all Killeen ISD middle and high school campuses.
Buckley cited other school districts that have moved to phone-free schools, including La Vega ISD in Waco and Richardson ISD in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Both districts report recaptured classroom time for academic instruction, improved grades, and a drop in discipline issues related to cell phones.
While some Texas parents oppose school officials restricting their children’s phone access during class time, others approve of the policy.
North Texas mom and private school teacher Joy Roberts told Texas Scorecard that cell phone usage is not allowed in her school’s classrooms, but students have them turned off in their backpacks.
“What I don’t have to deal with is telling kids to get off their phones during class,” she said. “And I see kids interacting with each other instead of sitting on their phones, while still having access during an emergency.”
One Texas lawmaker is proposing statewide limits on phones in schools.
“It’s time that we step up as parents, as lawmakers, as administrators, and teachers, and say kids should not have access to cell phones while they are in classrooms,” explained State Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R–Lakeway).
Troxclair, a mother of three young children, said she’ll propose legislation next year to restrict cell phone use in all Texas schools.
“Constant cellphone use has exacerbated a mental health crisis among our youth, who have been relentlessly exposed to online content during critical years of formation and growth, including during school hours,” Troxclair wrote in a commentary for The Daily Signal.
Parents note that students’ use of school-issued iPads and Chromebooks during class adds to kids’ excessive “screen time.”
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt wrote in his book The Anxious Generation that too much online exposure, especially on social media, has caused a “great rewiring of childhood” that’s resulted in an “epidemic of mental illness.”
Additionally, many Texas teachers charged with sex crimes used cell phones and social media apps to initiate sexual contact with students.
Haidt’s prescription: no smartphones before age 14, no social media until age 16, phone-free classrooms, and more free play time.
As Killeen and other Texas school districts implement phone-free policies, parents and teachers can assess the results and decide if the limits are beneficial for the children.
This article originally appeared here.
DPS Arrests Several Criminal Illegal Immigrants of Interest
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is announcing the capture of a dozen wanted criminal illegal immigrants of interest across the state – just some of the thousands of identified fugitives who have entered the United States illegally and committed crimes in Texas.
These individuals are a part of the larger list used by DPS Special Agents in selecting fugitives to appear on Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List.
CAPTURED CRIMINAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OF INTEREST:
- Samuel Alexander Castro-Canas, a criminal illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was arrested on June 25, 2024, in Huntsville. Following up on lead information, DPS Special Agents located and arrested Castro-Canas, whose criminal history includes prior arrests for smuggling of persons and alien removal. He had been wanted since Nov. 2023 out of Kinney County for three counts of smuggling of persons.
- Raysel Carrion-Tamayo, a criminal illegal immigrant from Cuba, was arrested on June 20, 2024, in Del Valle. DPS Special Agents served an active arrest warrant to Carrion-Tamayo at the Travis County Correctional Complex. His criminal history includes prior arrests for commercial sex trafficking, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated promotion of prostitution, trafficking of persons: continuous sexual assault and alien inadmissibility. Carrion-Tamayo had been wanted since Aug. 2023 out of Travis County for sexual assault. Carrion-Tamayo remains at the Travis County Correctional Complex.
- Juan Herrera-Lizama, a criminal illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was arrested on June 13, 2024, in Garland. Following up on lead information, DPS Special Agents and the Garland Police Department located and arrested Herrera-Lizama, whose criminal history includes prior arrests for driving while intoxicated, prostitution and evading arrest/detention with a vehicle. Herrera-Lizama was last removed from the United States in May 2022. Additionally, he had been wanted since Sept. 2022 out of Dallas County for indecency with a child by sexual contact.
- Charli Cordova Perez, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested on June 13, 2024, in Kyle. Following up on lead information, DPS Special Agents located and arrested Cordova Perez, whose criminal history includes a prior arrest for indecency with a child by sexual contact. Cordova Perez had been wanted since June 2023 out of Hidalgo County for indecency with a child by sexual contact.
- Alex Adriel Rios-Guzman, a criminal illegal immigrant from Honduras, was arrested on June 11, 2024, in Wichita Falls. Following up on lead information, DPS Special Agents located and arrested Rios-Guzman, whose criminal history includes past arrests for driving while intoxicated, possession of marijuana, alien inadmissibility and alien present without admission or parole. Rios-Guzman had been wanted out of Dallas County for sexual assault and out of Wichita County for driving while intoxicated since Jan. 2024 and Feb. 2024, respectively.
- Rigoberto Arman Arevalo-Zavala, a criminal illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was arrested on June 10, 2024, in Houston. Following up on lead information, DPS Special Agents, Texas Highway Patrol Troopers and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested Arevalo-Zavala, whose criminal history includes prior arrests for alien removal and driving while intoxicated. Arevalo-Zavala had been wanted since March 2024 out of Harris County for sexual assault.
- Alvina Sanchez-Castaneda, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested on June 10, 2024, in Austin. Following up on lead information, DPS Special Agents located and arrested Sanchez-Castaneda, whose criminal history includes prior arrests for smuggling of persons and alien present without admission or parole. Sanchez-Castaneda had been wanted since Feb. 2024 out of Kinney County for smuggling of persons under 18 years of age.
- Juan Francisco Molina-Garcia, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested on June 5, 2024, in Pilot Point. Following up on lead information, DPS Special Agents, along with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, located and arrested Molina-Garcia, whose criminal history includes a prior arrest for driving while intoxicated. Molina-Garcia had been wanted since Dec. 2023 out of Denton County for sexual assault and failure to appear—driving while intoxicated.
- Jesus Medina, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested on June 5, 2024, in Houston. Following up on lead information, DPS Special Agents and the Houston Police Department located and arrested Medina, whose criminal history includes prior arrests for driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance, and alien inadmissibility. Medina was last removed from the United States in Jan. 2024. He had been wanted since March 2024 out of Harris County for indecency with a child by sexual contact.
- Israel Armando Salazar-Tovar, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested on May 29, 2024, in Waco. Following up on lead information, members of the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, including DPS Special Agents, located and arrested Salazar-Tovar, whose criminal history includes prior arrests for smuggling of persons, assault causing bodily injury to a family member, alien inadmissibility, possession of marijuana and criminal trespass. Salazar-Tovar was last removed from the United States in Jan. 2022 and had been wanted since Feb. 2022 out of Kinney County for smuggling of persons and smuggling of persons for pecuniary benefit.
- Mario Samuel Asencio, a criminal illegal immigrant from Guatemala, was arrested on May 28, 2024, in Dallas. Following up on lead information, DPS Special Agents located and arrested Asencio, whose criminal history includes prior arrests for deadly conduct-discharging of a firearm at individual(s), driving while intoxicated and alien present without admission or parole. Asencio had been wanted since Jan. 2023 out of Dallas County for a probation violation relating to deadly conduct-discharge of a firearm.
- Pedro Constanza-Lopez, a criminal illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was arrested on May 22, 2024, in Houston. Following up on lead information, DPS Special Agents located and arrested Constanza-Lopez, whose criminal history includes prior arrests for indecency with a child by sexual contact, driving while intoxicated and alien present without admission or parole. Constanza-Lopez had been wanted since March 2022 out of Harris County for indecency with a child by sexual contact.
These arrests are in addition to the two fugitives arrested in June from Texas’ 10 Most Wanted Criminal Illegal Immigrants List:
- Servando Trejo Duran Jr., a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested on June 6, 2024, in Baytown. DPS Special Agents and Troopers assigned to the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Center in Houston arrested Duran, whose criminal history includes prior arrests and convictions for burglary of a residence and homicide. In 2009, Duran was released on parole and was removed from the United States. In Feb. 2023, Duran was arrested for tampering with a government record and was released on bond. In March 2023, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles issued a warrant for his arrest for a parole violation (original offense: murder with a deadly weapon). For more information, view Duran’s captured bulletin here.
- Victor Hugo Chox Gonzalez, a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, was arrested in Fort Worth on June 13, 2024. DPS Special Agents arrested Chox Gonzalez, whose criminal history includes prior arrests for driving while intoxicated with a child under the age of 15, assault causing bodily injury to a family member and removal from the United States. In 2021, he was arrested for assault and failure to identify/giving false/fictitious information and bonded out of jail. Later that year, warrants were issued for his arrest for failure to identify/give false/fictitious information and failure to identify as a fugitive. In 2023, the Arlington Police Department issued warrants for his arrest for aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child by sexual contact. For more information, view Chox Gonzalez’s captured bulletin here.
DPS Special Agents continue working with local and federal law enforcement agencies to apprehend more criminal illegal immigrant fugitives that have been identified across the state of Texas.
Texas Gators Moved Inland Ahead of Beryl
July 4, 2024 – This week at the South Padre Island Birding Nature and Alligator sanctuary, a roundup of all the gators took place ahead of the potential landfall of Hurricane Beryl.
One of the large adults here, a female named Laguna, came out without much resistance. “She’s protecting a nest egg. She just laid here.”
A team of experts spent all day removing all alligators from the facility.
The two weeks ago tropical storm Alberto caused storm surge and flooding here at the island causing pond levels to rise here.
All the gators are headed to their sister organization called Gator Country in Beaumont.
The volunteers pulled out ‘Big Padre’ who is more than 50 years old, #800 and 12 feet long. They pull out Padre with the help of an ATV and towing straps around his tail, but they have to get his mouth secured. They used a snare to hold his mouth down while a volunteer wraps electrical tape around his muddy snout. They attempt to capture him with the least amount of stress possible. But obviously when you’re moving an animal like this, he’s gonna stress out a little bit. He was on his best behavior that day.
These are not wild gators. They were recovered in the wild as a nuisance because they started associating people with food. All of the elders that are here in the first place are here because they couldn’t be in the wild anymore. Usually because they’ve been fed, but they’ve been habituated, habituated to being around humans, associating humans with food. This organization is giving a home to those gators that can’t be in the wild anymore and moving them away from the storm should flooding come to the island.
Another Chat with Senior Citizen Center Coordinator Dawna Pryor on Second Cup of Coffee
On this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup of Coffee with John Mark Dempsey, John Mark had another chat with Sulphur Springs Senior Citizen Center Coordinator Dawna Pryor. The two have an interesting conversation about the new Senior Activity Center, Chair Yoga, the upcoming Ice Cream Freeze Off, and more. Be sure to check it out below!
Chamber Connection – July 2, 2024
By Butch Burney
Every year, our family looks forward to the Saturday before Thanksgiving, when we gather for dinner, turn on KSST and get our phones ready for the annual Sulphur Springs Symphony League auction.
It is a hoot and a can’t-miss event! They always have a great range of items, from tens of dollars to thousands of dollars in value, and that doesn’t include the entertainment from the moderators like Bill Owens and Chad Young.
Donations are used as a fundraiser for the Symphony League and all they do for this city and county – which includes the annual Independence Day concert and fireworks display, but is certainly not limited to that.
The great thing about our community is the way we rally around people and organizations that need and deserve our support. The Symphony League deserves our support now more than ever.
They have planned and orchestrated the concert and fireworks for decades, to the delight of generations of our residents and visitors.
So, let’s rally for the Symphony League, not just with donations at the auction, but with support for what they mean in bringing the arts to our community and especially our youth.
You won’t be disappointed by being a part of the solution. Mark your calendars for the auction.
Cocktails and Conversation
Join us for our main networking monthly event when Nations Lending hosts our Cocktails and Conversation on Thursday, June 18.
You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend. It is free to everyone, and a prime time to make friends and contacts.
The event will also mark the grand opening for Bethany Ashby’s new Nations Lending office, located at 425 Main St.
Stew is in the Air
It’s too hot for stew in June, but it’s not too early to begin thinking about the stew contest.
Stew cooks and sponsors, be looking for registration and sponsorship forms to be distributed in the next couple of weeks. This year’s theme for the 55th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest on Oct. 26 is Stewper Heroes.
The registration cost will remain at $100 per stew site.
Back to School Fair
CANHelp in Sulphur Springs is gearing up to host their annual Back-to-School Fair, which assists children in low-to-moderate income families prepare for the new school year, by providing school supplies, haircuts and other needs. The fair is on August 1, but pre-registration is required for students to receive school supplies.
You can pick up an application at CANHelp (613 Gilmer Street).
Businesses may also register to participate as a vendor.
Designer Handbag Bingo
The Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation’s extremely popular Designer Handbag Bingo event is coming Aug. 8, and tickets will go quickly.
Tables of eight for the event are currently on sale, and individual tickets will be up for grabs on July 13.
The link to access sponsorship and ticket information is handbagbingo24.givesmart.com
Quilt Show
The Lone Star Heritage Quilt Show is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 21-22 at the ROC on Putman Street. Numerous projects will be on display, and one special quilt will be up for raffle during the event.
If you’re interested in entering your own quilt project, those arrangements must be made by July 31. To request entry, email [email protected].
What Does A Scammer Call Sound Like?
July 3, 2024 – Scammers contacting seniors is a constant threat. Millions of dollar are lost to these individuals each year.
But what do they sound like over the phone?
We have recorded a conversation with a scammer, and have provided the audio. Please take a moment to listen to this call with anyone who might fall victim to this type of theft.
The first portion is the ‘cold caller’ setting up the victim for the more experienced ‘Steve the floor supervisor’. There are several red flags that confirm this is a scam call.
- The phone number they called is on the do-not-call list.
- Criminals don’t bother following the rules.
- They refer to me using one of many fake names I have given to other scammers.
- Scammers share information, and run multiple scams from the same site.
- The caller ID says their phone number is from Sulphur Springs, TX.
- When questioned about the product or service they lie, give ambiguous information or no information at all. All they care about is your bank or credit card information.
- No legitimate company information was provided.
Pyrotecnico Takes Blame For Sulphur Springs Fireworks Failure
July 2, 2024 – In a letter dated July 2, 2024 Regional Director Justin Pruett for Pyrotecnico, the fireworks provider for the Independence Day Concert on June 29th, took responsibility for the failure experienced by those in attendance for the sub-standard show. The letter further stated that the fireworks show that they delivered was not in accordance with the expectations fo the Sulphur Springs Symphony League, who has worked with this particular fireworks company since 2016. Justin Pruett indicated that he and his company have offered a “replacement show” at no charge as well as crediting the charge for last week’s show.
