Intersection Signals, Beacons Set for Six Locations in Four Counties
April 26, 2019
PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that a project to upgrade existing traffic signals, and install flashing beacons or intersection warning beacons at six locations in four counties in Northeast Texas will begin the week of April 29.
Contractor SJ&J Construction LLC was granted 100 working days, weather permitting, to complete this project valued at more than $200,000. The target completion date for this project funded by the Federal Hazard Elimination Program is the fall of 2019, officials said.
The contractor will perform the following work at these intersections in the nine-county Paris District: Franklin County: FM 115 at FM 1448, install flashing beacon. Hopkins County: State Highway 19 at FM 2285, install advance intersection warning beacon. Lamar County: FM 195 (20th Street) at BU 82H (Lamar Street); BU 271B (Clarksville Street) at Collegiate Drive; and US 82 at FM 38, upgrade existing signal and add pedestrian features. Red River County: State Highway 37 at BU 37C, install flashing beacon.
Officials said these roadways will remain open to traffic at all times, and access to adjacent properties will be maintained while this work is underway.
Motorists who travel regularly in this area should 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.
For more information, contact [email protected] or (903) 737-9213.
Legislative Update: Education
Education continues to be a central theme in legislative meetings, with numerous bills proposed, considered and revised.
Senate Education Committee Chair Larry Taylor subbed SB 4 into HB 3 for school finance reform. HB 3 tackles basic allotments, full-day kindergarten programs, salary increases for teacher and librarians, start dates for districts of innovation, kindergarten reading readiness assessments, Tier I property tax rates and caps on district property tax revenue growth, according to a release from Dax Gonzalez for Texas Association of School Boards Governmental Relations.
A lot regarding funding, including of basic allotments, property tax reform and $4 billion in teacher salary increases, remained to be determined at the conclusion of Thursday’s session. Work is expected to continue on these and other issues into next week, when officials hope to have it ready for a vote be made for HB 3.
The House on Thursday did pass SB 12, which would make the TRS pension fund actuarially sound and provide retired teachers with a one-time, 13th check of up to $2,400. The House amended the Senate’s proposed TRS fix by increasing the state contribution to the pension fund by 2 percent over the next five years compared to the Senate’s 1.45 percent and increasing the 13th check from a maximum of $500 to a maximum of $2,400. The House would pay for this increase through $684 million in general revenue spending and $658 million from the rainy day fund. That sends it back to the Senate for adoption or referral to a conference committee to hash out the differences between the House and Senate versions, TASB reported
TASB Governmental Relations provided the regarding 11 bills passed from Thursday from the Senate Education Committee to the full Senate, and seven bills the House Public Education Committee has up for consideration Tuesday mornihg.
Senate Education Bills
- SB 232 requires school districts to notify parents of students in grade nine or above that the student is not required to complete Algebra II to graduate but also notifying parents about the consequences of not completing Algebra II on automatic college admission and on certain financial aid programs. Notice must be delivered by regular mail and email.
- SB 293 amends the section of the Education Code that governs educator preparation programs and specifies qualifications for participants in those training programs. SB 293 directs the State Board for Educator Certification to specify what each educator is expected to know and be able to do, particularly with regard to students with disabilities. Training must give educators a basic knowledge of disability categories, competence in the use of proactive instructional technique, and competence in the use of evidence-based inclusive instructional practices. Provisions for educator preparation program approval and renewal are amended to incorporate proactive instructional planning techniques throughout course work and across content areas. Training programs must integrate inclusive practices for all students, including students with disabilities, and evidence-based instructional intervention strategies for all students, including students with disabilities.
- SB 451 would allow school districts flexibility to use the bilingual education allotment to pay the salary of a bilingual education teacher.
- SB 784 prohibits districts from offering human sexuality instruction unless the commissioner of education determines that the district’s instruction and curriculum materials have been made available to parents and notice of the dates of the instruction and detailed description of the content has been provided to parents. The commissioner must make this determination not later than the 30th day before the first day of school.
- SB 869 (Powell), as filed, would direct the commissioner of state health services to create a committee to assist in updating guidelines for care of students at risk for anaphylaxis. School districts and charter schools would adopt and administer a policy for the care of students with a diagnosed food allergy at risk for anaphylaxis based on the guidelines developed by the committee.
- SB 1016, as filed, would require TEA to conduct an audit at least every four years of professional development requirements and any other continuing education and training requirements.
- SB 1045, as filed, would allow public schools that offer full-time virtual education to receive separate accountability ratings for the virtual programs and the traditional programs.
- SB 1182 authorizes the attorney general to review the record of public notice and hearings relating to any bond financing of an educational facility for an authorized charter school, and then to issue an approval.
- SB 1284, as filed, would requires the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston to establish a competitive grant program to promote early literacy.
- SB 1374, as filed, would allow a student to enroll concurrently in Algebra I and geometry to satisfy the curriculum requirements for mathematics.
- SB 2283 (Campbell) would add conviction of a felony or a Class A misdemeanor as offenses that render a member ineligible for service as a member of a school district board of trustees.
Senate Bill posted by House Pub Ed for Tuesday
- SB 54 clarifies that in determining the accountability performance of a school district or campus, a student participating in a regional day school program for the deaf whose parent does not reside in the school district providing program services is not considered a student of the district or campus in which the program is physically located.
- SB 372 permits the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school to employ security personal, commission peace officers, and to enter into a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency to assign a school resource officer to the charter school.
- SB 435 expands the local school health advisory council’s duties to include recommending appropriate grade levels and curriculum for instruction regarding opioid addiction and abuse and methods of administering an opioid antagonist.
- SB 522 identifies proficiency in reading and writing as a significant indicator of satisfactory educational progress. The individualized education program for a student with a visual impairment must include instruction in braille unless the student’s admission, review, and dismissal committee determines and documents that braille is not an appropriate literacy medium for the student. Braille instruction must be provided by a teacher certified to teach students with visual impairments.
- SB 1451 requires the commissioner of education to ensure that teachers cannot be assigned an area of deficiency on their appraisal solely on the basis of disciplinary referrals a teacher makes, or the documentation of student conduct a teacher submits. Additionally, a teacher would be allowed to document any conduct that does not conform to student code of conduct adopted by the campus, and protects the teacher from disciplinary action from the district on that documentation submitted.
- SB 1557 (Lucio) allows schools to seek out designation as a “Purple Star Campus” to take actions and develop partnerships to assist military-connected students.
- SB 2432 adds harassment as defined by the penal code to the list of offenses that would permit a school or teacher to remove a student from a classroom and placed into disciplinary alternative education programs.
- SB 372 permits the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school to employ security personal, commission peace officers, and to enter into a memorandum of understanding with a local law enforcement agency to assign a school resource officer to the charter school.
- SB 435 expands the local school health advisory council’s duties to include recommending appropriate grade levels and curriculum for instruction regarding opioid addiction and abuse and methods of administering an opioid antagonist.
- SB 522 identifies proficiency in reading and writing as a significant indicator of satisfactory educational progress. The individualized education program for a student with a visual impairment must include instruction in braille unless the student’s admission, review, and dismissal committee determines and documents that braille is not an appropriate literacy medium for the student. Braille instruction must be provided by a teacher certified to teach students with visual impairments.
- SB 1451 requires the commissioner of education to ensure that teachers cannot be assigned an area of deficiency on their appraisal solely on the basis of disciplinary referrals a teacher makes, or the documentation of student conduct a teacher submits. Additionally, a teacher would be allowed to document any conduct that does not conform to student code of conduct adopted by the campus, and protects the teacher from disciplinary action from the district on that documentation submitted.
- SB 1557 allows schools to seek out designation as a “Purple Star Campus” to take actions and develop partnerships to assist military-connected students.
- SB 2432 adds harassment as defined by the penal code to the list of offenses that would permit a school or teacher to remove a student from a classroom and placed into disciplinary alternative education programs.
The full TASB Governmental Relations post can be viewed online.
Downtown Is Rocking With Claws For A Cause
If the overflowing containers, laughter and fellowship are any indicator,
a rocking good time is being had by all at Sulphur Springs Rotary Club’s 6th Annual Claws for a Cause Saturday.
Event coordinators reported thousands of advance tickets were sold and numerous others arriving through the evening to partake of their fill of the more than 6,000 pounds of crawfish brought in and served up for $30 a person for the occasion.
Some event attendees reported the crawfish boil to be an annual tradition for them. Some come in from the Metroplex and others areas for the event. Others not only attend, but reported bringing friends and family with them to introduce them to the festive event which raises funds that Rotary invests back into the community.
Claws For A Cause began six years ago as a fundraiser that would create awareness for Rotary and involve the whole community of Sulphur Springs. Claws annually funds the Sulphur Springs Rotary Club Scholarship Program for six local senors and benefits several local charities in this area.
Over the past years, Rotary has donated over $50,000 to help support organizations such as Hopkins County Emergency Response Team, Relay for Life, Heritage Counseling Center, Can Help, Star Foundation, Lake Country Casa, Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter, Relay for Life, and Community Health and Wellness Alliance.
Claws for a Cause 2019 kicked off at 5 p.m. April 27, features music by Hannah Kirby, and continues until 9 p.m. Beverages were made available for purchase on-site, and table reservations and VIP table sponsorships were available.
The family friend event was packed at 6 p.m., with people milling about, occupying not only the tables set up on Gilmer Street for the event, but those all around the square. A few even enjoyed the benches on the square and others enjoyed a picnic-style meal on the grass as kids danced and played, and Civil Air Patrol members donated their time to serve bucks filled with mudbugs for attendees to enjoy.
EAA Young Eagles Rally A Soaring Success
Ben Scarborough, a private pilot and member of the Sulphur Springs Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter, reported 14 volunteer pilots consistently taking kids up, during the EAA’s Young Eagles Rally at Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport on Saturday April 27.
Some aircraft could take only one passenger, but others could take three to four passengers at a time. EAA anticipated taking up 80-100 kids during the three-hour rally.
Scarborough said EAA is thankful for the good flying weather, as one of their recent events had been cancelled due to weather conditions.
Numerous volunteers were involved in helping to put on this free flight experience for youth ages 8-17, who has an interest in taking an airplane ride. Civil Air Patrol cadets helped on the ground during the event.
After registering, each young flight candidate is required to participate in a safety class/ground school by groups, and then await their turn in the air with a qualified pilot. Scarborough credits his first flight as an 8-year-old for sparking a life-long interest in flying.
After the plane lands, each youth was given logbook documenting their first flight, as well as a code which enables them to attend an actual ground school at an airport near them, as an incentive for future flying interest. This ‘gateway to aviation’ is provided free of charge through EAA International.
Plane Crash Reported North Of Sulphur Springs Saturday
A small plane crashed off County Road 4763, just north of Suphur Springs, late Saturday morning. No one was injured in the crash, according to law enforcement reports.
The pilot, who is not from Hopkins County, was reportedly testing out the plane. It had undergone engine repair recently and the pilot was reportedly testing it out.The plane had engine failure on both units on the aircraft. The pilot attempted, but was not able, to make it back to an airport. He was, however, able to land in a grassy area near a wood line off CR 4763. The plane reportedly hit down hard one time, then skipped around, causing damage to the aircraft. The pilot escaped the wreckage without a scratch, emergency management officials reported Saturday.
Texas Department of Public Safety had command of the crash site just before noon Saturday, and were expected to remain on scene awaiting the arrival of the FAA for a routine investigation of the crash, according to Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley.
Corvette Club Descends on Jay Hodge Chevrolet
More than 20 Corvettes had already shown up early at Jay Hodge Chevrolet as the local Dealership hosted the local Corvette Club. The local club will be displaying their “used” cars in amongst the selection of the dealerships’ new and used cars and trucks. Bill Owens and Jay Hodge will be serving Burgers and Hot Dogs for anyone that would like to stop by and take a look at any of the cars. The local corvettes will be displayed until 2pm.
Wildcats Baseball Defeats Texas High on Senior Night Friday to Grab Playoff Spot
Wildcats Baseball 3, Texas High 2
The Wildcats’ baseball team won a game they had to have to make the playoffs, winning 3-2 over Texas High on Senior Night at Wildcat Park Friday night.
Jaxon Chaney was masterful on the mound pitching a complete seven innings allowing two runs, both unearned, and three hits striking out two and walking two.
Wildcats senior Austin Dodd was practically a one man rally using his speed to score the go ahead run in the bottom of the fifth. Dodd got a one out single. Jase Thompson then put down a good bunt down the third base line. He was thrown out at first, but Dodd never stopped running, going around second and sliding into third. A throw across the diamond in an attempt to get Dodd out was a wild one, and Dodd picked himself up and came home to score.
Earlier in the fourth, both teams scored two runs. Texas High opened the fourth with a single and an error. Then, Tiger Chris Lyles tripled to score both runs as Texas High went up 2-0.
In the Wildcats fourth, Thompson led off with a double. Wills Sims singled, sending Thompson to third. A wild pitch moved Sims to second. Connor Burgin hit a sacrifice fly to score Thompson. Kaden Argenbright’s single scored Sims and the game was tied 2-2.
Then, came Dodd’s heroics in the fifth. Chaney then shut the door on the Tigers. The Wildcats outhit the Tigers 6 to 3. Both teams had two errors. Kamren Harrison and Pacen Edwards also had singles for the Wildcats.
The win gives the Wildcats a 7-8 district record and a playoff berth. They will be a four seed. The Wildcats won their last five district games to grab the playoff berth. Their season record improves to 15-10. Texas High ends district play at 10-5. The Wildcats will face District 16-5A Hallsville in bi-district with details to be determined.
Lady Cats Softball Sweeps Series Against Whitehouse Getting Clincher at Home Friday
Lady Cats Softball 6, Whitehouse 3
The Lady Cats’ softball team topped Whitehouse, 6-3 Friday night at Lady Cat Park to take their bi-district series two games to zero and to advance into the Area round.
Whitehouse scored an unearned run on an error in the top of the first inning to go up, 1-0. The Lady Cats answered with three runs of their own in the first to take a 3-1 lead. They never trailed after that.
Whitehouse got to within 3-2 with a run in the top of the third. The Lady Cats matched that run in the bottom of the third to go up, 4-2.
The Lady Cats upped their lead to 6-2 with two runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Whitehouse scored once in the top of the seventh but came up short, 6-3. Freshman Addison Caddell pitched a complete seven innings allowing 10 hits and three runs with only two of them earned. Caddell also had a strikeout and two walks.
Whitehouse actually outhit the Lady Cats 10-8 but the Lady Cats did a better job of stringing their hits together to score runs. Whitehouse committed two errors and the Lady Cats one.
Brinklee Driver and Alli Fite both drove in two runs. Sadie Stroud and Sierra Smith both knocked in a run. Driver had two hits. Stroud and Nylah Lindley both hit doubles. Lady Cats with one hit included Fite, Kelsey Wallace, Kate Womack Stroud, Darby Williams and Lindley. Colbria Harrison scored two runs.
The Lady Cats improved their season record to 24-6. The Lady Cats now face Midlothian in an Area round series. It will start Tuesday in Royse City at 6:30 p.m. Game two will be Thursday at 6:30 p.m. possibly in Sunnyvale. Game three if necessary will be Saturday at noon in Royse City.
The NETBIO announces its 2019 Beef Up Cattlemen’s Conference for May 10
By Mario Villarino
The Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) will host its 2019 Beef Up Cattlemen’s Conference scheduled for May 10, 2019 starting at 2 p.m.
The session starts with registration and exhibitors displays, followed by Animal ID: new perspectives, Hank Hayes- Texas Animal Health Commission; Knowing Your Customer, Chris McClure Private Consultant; Creating native grasslands, Christian Ebel- Hopkins County; Fifty shades of cattle health, Kevin Gray- 4G Veterinary Care; and The Beef Industry Today, Randy Harp—Texas A&M Commerce. A Q&A portion will follow; the event will end with a steak dinner.
The program will be held at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Arena. The program is free for beef producers but registration is required by calling 903-449-6079 or email [email protected] to secure meal before May 1, 2019.
A Look At The Financial Impact Of The $2M Miller Grove ISD Bond Proposal
Miller Grove area residents are being asked to consider approving in the May 4 Miller Grove Independent School District bond election a tax increase to fund a new Multipurpose Center.
The new facility would house a new elementary gymnasium, fine arts facility to include a UIL-compliant stage, concessions and kitchen area, and restrooms. The new MGISD facility would also have space for future expansion of the facility to include classrooms, weight room and locker rooms.
What does that mean for tax-payers?
“If the bonds are authorized, the estimated total tax rate of the District is expected to be $1.46 per $100 of taxable assessed valuation, representing the sum of (i) the most recently adopted tax rate for operations and maintenance, which is $1.17 per $100 of taxable assessed valuation, plus (ii) the estimated tax rate for voted debt obligations of the District, including the bonds, which is estimated to be $0.29 per $100 of taxable assessed valuation,” the Notice of Ballot Election states.
Basically, that means tax payers will pay an additional 14 cents in I&S property tax per $100 property value, raising the I&S tax rate to $0.29, the highest rate the district can set it at and still receive a 40 percent state contribution, according to Johnson.
Because MGISD is considered by the state to be a “property poor” school district, the district is also eligible to receive supplemental funding from the state to apply to bond debts.“The taxes raised through the district’s bond tax rate are matched with state funds,” at a 40 percent state-60 percent district rate.
This will not change the tax on homesteads for MGISD residents who have filed for the “65 and over” homestead exemption; their rate homestead value is frozen, and would only be adjusted if the owner made major renovations or additions to the homestead property. This exemption must be requested through Hopkins County Appraisal District.
If the bond sells, the expected homestead tax on a $40,000 homestead would increase $36 yearly or $4.67 monthly. The homestead tax rate on a $60,000 property would increase $84 annually or $7 per month. A Homestead valued at $80,000 would increase $112 per year, or about $9.33 per month. The tax rate on a $100,000 home would increase $140 per year or about $11.67 per month.
For more information about the bond election and proposed project, visit the MGISD website or contact the MGISD administration at (903) 459-3288.
