Paris District Road Report For The Week Of April 6, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at planned road work in Paris District during the week of April 6, 2020. These Texas Department of Transportation 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.
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.
- State Highway 11, Hopkins County: From State Highway 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews replace an existing drainage structure; temporary traffic signals will direct traffic.
- State Highway 11, Hopkins County: From 1.5 miles east of FM 3134 to 0.82 miles east of FM 2653. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform milling operations.
- FM 1448, Franklin County: From Wood County Line to FM 115. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install drainage structures.
- Interstate 30, Hopkins and Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
- FM 900, Hopkins County: Interstate 30 to Franklin County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install drainage structures.
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.
- US Highway 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Watch for temporary lane closures and traffic shifts while crews extend cross structures and widen pavement to install passing lanes.
- State Highway 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for work zones as workers upgrade metal-beam guard fence, replace or extend new structures and install safety end treatments.
Greenville Area
(Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
- State Highway 66, Hunt County: from near FM 6 to near FM 2642. A project to widen pavement, install continuous left-turn lanes, and safety-treat fixed objects is underway. Please be aware of lane closures and workers in this area. Weather permitting, they will resume work on the last box culvert extension, and widening County Roads 2666 and 2664.
- State Highway 276, Hunt County: at Bull Creek, rip-rap repair project. The contractor is working on replacing concrete rip-rap that has failed along SH 276. The contractor will do partial lane closures intermittently. Please be careful when traveling in the area.
- SPUR 264, Hunt County: in Quinlan. Sidewalk improvement project. The contractor is currently forming up and pouring sidewalks. Please be careful when traveling in the area and watch out for workers.
- Hunt County maintenance crews are working on repairing pot holes throughout Hunt County. Please be careful when driving in areas where our work vehicles are present. Crews are also working on sealcoat preparation.
- Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
- US Highway 69 from Stonewall to BU69 is currently undergoing a mill-and-inlay project, please be careful as lane closures are necessary and workers are present in the area.
Sherman Area
(Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
- US Highway 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to State Highway 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building detours. The southbound Travis Street connector ramp onto southbound US 75 was closed permanently. Traffic is being detoured onto the frontage road to Park Avenue. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and Washington Street as crews work on installing temporary signals. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.
- FM 1417, Grayson County: from US Highway 82 to State Highway 56. Watch for daytime lane closures between US 82 and SH 56. Crews will be performing utility work as well as constructing a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
- FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Road to US Highway 75. Watch for traffic shifts as workers widen FM 691 to an ultimate five-lane roadway. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a four-way stop intersection and will become a signalized intersection at the conclusion of the construction project.
- FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to widen the roadway to provide a detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section at the conclusion of the project.
- US Highway 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
- US Highway 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road as well as the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 exit ramp for FM 691. During this phase, westbound Spur 503 to southbound US 75 traffic must use the frontage road through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on ramp after FM 691.
- US 75 Slope Repair at Randell Lake Road, on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road. The southbound frontage road and Randell Lake exit ramp are closed due to a slope failure. Crews are working to lime treat the soils and place underdrains.
- US Highway 75 Full Depth concrete repair, Grayson County: crews will be working on US 75, weather permitting, each week from Sunday night through Thursday night. Lane closures will be present during the nighttime only in order for crews to replace failed concrete slabs. Lane closures begin at 7:30 p.m. and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m.
- US Highway 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.
- US Highway 82 and US Highway 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from State Highway 56 to US Highway 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
- Greer Road, Grayson County: just south of FM 901 at Brushy Creek. Greer Road is closed at Brushy Creek in order to remove and build a new bridge. Traffic on Greer Road will need to use an alternate route, such as Sandusky Road, during construction. Construction at this location is expected to be completed the week of April 6, weather dependent.
- Park Road 20, Grayson County: within Eisenhower State Park. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade level the roadway.
- US 377, Grayson County: between FM 902 and the Denton County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade level the roadway.
- FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to State Highway 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to State Highway 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to State Highway 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 1743, Fannin County: from State Highway 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- US Highway 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two lane roadway to a four lane divided section. Watch for a traffic shift near the State Highway 56 intersection in Honey Grove as crews work to build the new westbound lanes. Westbound traffic is being shifted to the eastbound side during this period.
- County Road 3810, Fannin County: at Loring Creek. County Road 3810 is closed at Loring Creek while crews remove and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 3810 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
- County Road 4920, Fannin County: at Indian Creek. County Road 4920 is closed at Indian Creek while crews remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 4920 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
- County Road 2998, Fannin County: at Cottonwood Creek. County Road 2998 is closed in order for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 2998 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
- State Highway 78, Fannin County: from US Highway 82 to State Highway 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on performing base repairs.
Meal A Day Menu — April 6-10, 2020
The Senior Citizens Center may be temporarily closed along with Sulphur Springs Public Library and city lobbies due to COVID-19, but the dedicated Meal A Day volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-ins in the community.
The Meal-A Day Menu for April 6-10, 2020, as reported by Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman on March 30 includes:
Monday — Chicken and Dressing Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Malibu Vegetables and a Roll
Tuesday — BBQ Rope Sausage, Baked Beans, Broccoli and Cheese Sauce and a Roll
Wednesday — Meatloaf, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes and a Roll
Thursday — Chicken and Dumplings, Crackers and Tossed Salad
Friday — Chili Cheese Dogs, Chips and Cole Slaw
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.
National Guard To Help Local Community Chest
Local Food Bank Getting Needed Help,
Late Saturday evening, Judy Moore, the Executive Director of the Community Chest, announced that the local food bank will receive much needed assistance from the National Guard. Judy said, “It has been a challenge to keep the food bank doors open in recent weeks. We’ve only had five people and volunteers who have being carrying the weight of our effort, resulting in reducing operational days to just Tuesdays and Thursdays. Several weeks ago, the North Texas Food Bank asked us if we could use help from the National Guard and we jumped at the chance.”
“A five-person team of Guardsmen will arrive Tuesday, April 7th, and begin helping us distribute food,” Moore said. “They will be with us for 30 days and we have already asked for another 15-day extension to give us a cushion to get back on our feet if the situation continues through the end of April.” Moore went on to say that because of the added help the operational days of our food bank will go to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this coming week, April 7-9, and she hopes the week of 13-16 April will be a Monday through Thursday distribution schedule. Clients will continue the A/B cycles and hours will be between 8-11am and 1-3pm.
Moore explained, “The lines were longer than expected. I’ve been praying for a solution for weeks. The North Texas Food Bank has blessed us by waiving fees for over a month, so we have the food we need we just didn’t have the people. The real heroes in this story are my 5 staff members and volunteers who held it together until help could arrive, the absolutely wonderful people at the Dallas Food Bank, and of course our National Guard!
“Our intent is to continue operating through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Moore said. “We recognize that these times are exactly when our clients need us most. We ask for your patience as we continue servicing Hopkins County.” Families that have experienced lay-offs and need food assistance can call the Community Chest at 903-885-3452, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this coming week, April 7-9, and Monday through Thursday starting the week of 13-16 April, between 8-11am and 1-3pm.
May Elections Must Be Postponed, According To State Elections Official
Cumby, Yantis Schools Have Already Postponed Their Elections Until November
Both Cumby ISD and Yantis ISD postponed elections within the last week, just ahead of the Secretary of State elections officer’s email notifying local election officials that the May 2 elections must be postponed due to the Governor’s Executive Order requiring people to remain at home unless at an essential job or essential tasks such as grocery shopping to reduce the spread of COVID-19
Early voting in May 2 elections is scheduled to start April 20 and continue weekdays through April 28. While election personnel are included in the federal government’s advisory on essential critical infrastructure workers, that does not include voters.
Keith Ingram, director of the Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of State, explained in the April 2 letter to elections officials that the March 31 Executive Order prevents elections officials from securing polling places, recruiting election workers, and allowing voters a safe way to exercise their right to vote.
Conducting May 2 election would subject voters to health risks and potential criminal violations. Thus, all May 2 elections should be postponed until November due to the COVID-10 pandemic, according to the Secretary of State.
Schools
Cumby ISD Board of Trustees on March 24 voted to postpone the May 2 bond election. The election will now take place on Nov. 3, alongside other national, state and other elections. Early voting for the election will now be conducted Oct. 19-30.
Yantis ISD Board of Trustees conducted a meeting a special March 30 meeting in which they officially postponed the May 2 trustees election until Nov. 3.
City Council
Sulphur Springs and Cumby City Councils also are slated to address the issue of the May 2 council elections at their next meetings. They are expected to postpone them until November as well.
Cumby City Council called a special election to fill two alderman seats. Two candidates each filed for the Place 1 and 2 seats on the council.
The council is slated to take action regarding the election at the next meeting, to be conducted April 14 online.
Sulphur Springs was able to cancel the election for two regular seats on the council, but still has a special election to fill four seats left vacant when four council members resigned in December. Three of the candidates are unchallenged for the places they seat, but Place 1 drew four candidates and Place 5 two candidates.
Sulphur Springs City Council will be asked during their regular meeting on April 7 to approve Resolution No. 1191 postponing the Special Election until Nov. 3. That meeting will be by video or teleconferencing platform to be streamed online starting at 7 p.m.. April 7 for the public to view
A Local Crisis: Is Everyone Doing All They Can?
April 4, 2020 By: Chad Young
According to the Texas Department of Health & Human Services, the number of positive tests of COVID-19 continue to increase in counties across Texas, and some counties close to Hopkins County are recording their first positive test results. Lamar county, was the first county closest to Hopkins county to report the first positive case over a week ago, and now that county has five confirmed positive cases returned for residents in their county. Wood county and Titus county are now both reporting their first confirmed cases in their respective areas. Only neighboring Rains county and Delta county have yet to have a positive test result returned for any of their residents. It is difficult to discern how many, if any, tests have been performed on residents from each county, and how long the tests are taking to be returned for our neighbors. It is important to know, that Rockwall county cases have jumped to 11, according to the latest state data, and Smith county (Tyler) has 57 positive cases, while Hopkins county increases to 4 positive cases. The cases will continue to grow in numbers and severity.
It is only a matter of time, when we will see positive cases in every county of Texas, and sadly this world-wide pandemic will prove deadly closer to home sooner than we think. As our county officials continue to work around the clock in making the best decisions to keep our residents safe, it is still up to each individual to take these warnings more seriously than ever. The current order from our county government officials and the state authorities is to Stay Safe – Stay At Home. This situation become more serious every day, and if everyone would believe that and heed the warnings, our community will come out of this quicker and healthier.
The FACTS about COVID-19 that we currently know:
- It is FAR more contagious than anything we have ever experienced.
- People of ANY age can HAVE it and SPREAD it even though they do not show any symptoms.
- For a some of our friends and family, contracting the virus has a much HIGHER risk of DEATH.
- We ALL have a responsibility to follow the warnings and mandates of our county officials, it could truly be a matter of LIFE and DEATH.
Every person in our community can help stop the spread, and flatten the curve of this pandemic. Every person in our community NEEDS to help. Think of it this way; if we ALL stayed home for two weeks, and no one ever left their house, or went to work, or to the grocery store, this virus would have NO chance to spread and the majority of our residents, friends, and neighbors would be healthier and safer because of it. Now, I realize that this is impossible, but now think of it this way: what if we TRIED to get as close to the previous example as possible, only sending one family member to the grocery store, with a limited number of visits, and practicing better social distancing when going to work at essential jobs. Continue with not getting together with friends, continue using the take-out and delivery options of local restaurants, and eliminate non-essential trips of any kind. In short, what if everyone did everything they could (and what is recommended) by staying away from other people as MUCH as possible? Sounds like to me that we could be a safer and healthier community. But in the immortal words of Bill Bradford, I am not asking you to think LIKE me, I am asking you to think WITH ME.
COVID-19 Update: 4th Positive Case Confirmed In Hopkins County
Hopkins County Emergency Management officials have just reported a fourth positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Hopkins County.
Very few details are known about the case, except that it is a Hopkins County resident who is in self-isolation. The Local Health Authority is expect to begin working to obtain as much information as possible to protect the community.
This case, like the three previous cases, is believed to be community spread.
Thus, county officials urge everyone to follow the stay home, stay safe order when possible and when out for essential jobs and activities to observe social distancing and take appropriate precautions as recommended by the CDC and DSHS.
Hopkins County Emergency Management is building a web page to provide information about COVID-19 for Hopkins County residents all in one location. It can be accessed by clicking here.
Due To COVID-19, Como City Council Will Not Meet In April
Como City officials announced that Como City Council will not meet again until May, provided the Governor’s Executive Order to stay at home and the county disaster declaration have ended, in order to observe state and county health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stolen Vehicle Recovered In County Friday Morning Had Just Been Reported Stolen
A stolen vehicle recovered in the county Friday morning, was determined to be the Hyundai Accent a Sulphur Springs resident had just reported to police as stolen. Another vehicle and diaper bag were also reported stolen from the same Davis Street residence April 3.
The reports were among three theft and five burglary reports Sulphur Springs Police made between April 1 and April 4.
Davis Street Thefts, Burglary
The North Davis Street resident Friday morning around 7:20 a.m. reported someone had apparently between 2 and 7:20 a.m. taken a diaper bag containing personal items and keys from inside her home. A Dodge Dart and Hyundai Accent were reportedly taken from the residential property as well, according to offense reports.
The diaper bag was reportedly found at the end of the North Davis Street driveway. A window at the home, was found slightly open; the resident reported it had been closed earlier in the night, according to police reports.
While Sulphur Springs police were taken the theft and unauthorized use of vehicle reports, a deputy with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the intersection of County Roads 3504 and 3511, where a vehicle was reported to be stuck in the ditch with no one around or in it. Upon arrival, the vehicle was found to be a Hyundai Accent with a damaged front end; officials reported it was the Accent missing from Davis Street, according to offense reports.
Other Thefts, Burglaries
At least one auto parts theft and four other burglaries were reported in Sulphur Springs April 1-3 as well.
An Interstate 30 west business reported two catalytic converters, one with a 12-foot cord on a dolly, and a cutting torch, had been stolen between March 26 and April 2 from the business, according to offense reports.
Two riding lawn mowers were reported stolen from a Sewell Lane building between March 31 and April 1, according to police reports.
A 58-inch TV, other electronics and four pairs of books were reported stolen from an East industrial Drive storage building between 4 p.m. April 1 and 4 p.m. April 2, according to offense reports.
A gaming system and streaming device were reported to have been stolen from a South Moore Street residence between 12:30 and 2:30 a.m. April 2, according to police reports.
The reports should serve as a reminder to residents to lock and secure vehicles, items on their property and homes to help better protect personal property from theft and burglary attempts.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Cumby ISD Meal Program Changes Planned Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Cumby Independent School District meal program changes are planned in response to the continued rise in COVID-19 cases across the country and state. (Hopkins County has remained at 3 positive cases since Monday, March 30). The Cumby ISD meal program will continue but, will only be available for pick up once a week.
Cumby ISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter, in a letter to parents and guardians, said the change will help better limit exposure to students and faculty. Starting April 13, cafeteria staff will prepare and box five breakfasts and five lunches at a time. Some meals will require refrigeration, if not eaten or prepared immediately. Meal that would be”hot” meals will be cold or frozen, but will have instructions on how to properly thaw and cook it.
The picked up process will be a bit different too as an added health safety precaution. When parents/ guardians pull up in front of the elementary between noon and 1 p.m. each Tuesday, they will be asked to open their trunk, get back in their vehicle, then wait until the school staff depositing the food box in the trunk has safely moved away from the car before leaving.
Any questions about the Cumby ISD meal program may be directed to Slaughter at 903-439-8738 or [email protected], or Cindy Mannon at 903-348-500 or [email protected].
Walmart Limiting Customer Entry In Stores To Support Social Distancing
Walmart today announced new COVID-19 preventive measures the business will be implementing that will affect how shopping is conducted at the store. In the last few weeks, the business has adjusted the hours of operation and implemented additional sanitizing and preventive measures. Starting Saturday, April 4, Walmart Customer Entry will be regulated and some stores will also be implementing “one-way movement” through the aisles, according to a corporate news release.
Walmart US Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Dacona Smith in an April 3 news release explained the changes being made in an effort to “promote health, safety and consistency for our associates and customers,” by better helping to facilitate social distancing in Walmart stores.
“While many of our customers have been following the advice of the medical community regarding social distancing and safety, we have been concerned to still see some behaviors in our stores that put undue risk on our people. We want to encourage customers to bring the fewest number of people per family necessary to shop, allow for space with other customers while shopping, and practice social distancing while waiting in lines. We’re also seeing states and municipalities set varying policies regarding crowd control – which has created some confusion regarding shopping,” the news release by Smith stated.
Regulating Store Entry
According to the release, Walmart will begin limiting the number of customers who can be in a store at once starting Saturday. No more than five customers will be allowed per 1,000 square feet at a time, which is roughly 20 percent of a store’s capacity, Smith stated in the release.
Customers will enter through a single marked entry door, the grocery entrance for many stores, and exit the store through another door. Customers will be admitted one-by-one and counted. After a store reaches that capacity, customers will be admitted on a “1-out-1-in” basis. They’ll exit through a different designated exit door after checking out. Store associates should be available to help direct customers to the proper doors
Shopping Inside the Store
Next week, Walmart also plans to “institute one-way movement” through store aisles using floor markers and direction from associates “in a number of our stores,” according to the corporate release. Ideally, one-way movement will “help customers avoid coming into close contact with others as they shop,” and thereby helping to facilitate social distancing.
After checking out, customer will be directed to the newly designated exit door as a means to “lessen the instances of people closely passing each other,” the release stated.
Sulphur Springs Store
An associate at Sulphur Springs Walmart confirmed the store will be limiting entry to the store starting Saturday, with only one person per household allowed in the store at a time.
