Wood Ashes Can help Your Tomatoes From Master Gardener David Wall
January 29, 2024 – By saving fireplace or wood stove ashes this winter, you can use them in April to help grow bigger, better, and more productive tomato plants. Actually, wood ashes are very beneficial all over the vegetable garden. Besides raising the pH in overly acidic soils, wood ashes contain large amounts of calcium and potassium (potash), two nutrients tomato plants need in large quantities plus numerous other nutrients.
Calcium, for example, helps young tomato plants develop healthy cells and wall structure for strong stems and branches, and it also aids in successful germination of its blooms. Nearly 20% of a pile of ashes is made up of calcium.
Potassium, sometimes called potash. helps tomato plants absorb water, and a tomato is nearly 95% water. Potassium also aids photosynthesis, which helps tomato plants turn light into energy, that aid strong, healthy growth and more blooms. Wood ash also happens to contain magnesium, phosphorous and other trace nutrients that tomato plants love as well. Finally, ashes increase the soil’s ability to retain moisture.
The success is using ashes comes down to knowing when to apply them and in what quantity. One of the best times to use ashes is on planting day. Put 1.5 cups directly in your planting holes.
Placing your transplant deeper in the ground allow a better, faster root system to develop. Sprinkle some more around the planting hole. If you’ve ground your egg shells into powder, add two tablespoons to each hole. Finish by adding mulch around the plant.
To top dress, scatter about ½ a cup of ashes lightly around the base of each plant. Finish by mulching your tomato plants as you normally would with straw, shredded leaves or grass clippings. By putting the ash under the mulch, it will stay in place and do its job perfectly.
Paris Junior College Accreditation Renewed for Ten Years
January 29, 2024 – Just before the New Year, Paris Junior College received official news of reaffirmation of accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). PJC’s institutional accreditation was reaffirmed with no recommendations for improvement, an important feat.
“I am thrilled to announce that Paris Junior College has received reaffirmation from the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges (SASCOC) with zero recommendations,” said Dr. Jerry King, PJC interim president. “This significant achievement is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff and administration to uphold the highest standards of academic quality and institutional effectiveness.””
Every ten years, colleges and universities in Texas must go through the reaffirmation process. In order to receive federal financial aid (Pell Grants) for students, institutions must be accredited. SACSCOC requires completion of a Compliance Certification Report (CCR), the development of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), off- and on-site peer reviews, and a Commission review.
The College’s CCR demonstrated PJC’s judgment of the extent to which it complies with each of the 75 SASCOC Core Requirements and Standards, and was reviewed by an off-site SACSCOC committee of peers.
PJC developed a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) aligned to the College’s strategic plans that enhances student learning. The College chose to focus on student mastery of basic skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, both for better success in class and in students’ future workplaces.
An on-site SACSCOC committee of peers came to PJC last fall to review the CCR and QEP proposal, then created a written report intended to help the College improve programs and refine the QEP. The report also aids the Commission in making its decision to reaffirm accreditation.
Accreditation is a form of self-regulation and quality assurance in higher education. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the recognized accrediting body for higher education institutions that award associate, baccalaureate, masters, or doctoral degrees in the 11 U.S. southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia), Latin America, and certain other international sites. Reaffirmation of accreditation requires the submission of a Fifth Year Interim Report (FYIR), decennial Compliance Certification Report (CCR), the development of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), off-site and on-site reviews, and review by Commission.
Paris Junior College’s no-finding reaccreditation was officially announced during the College Delegate Assembly Business Meeting as part of a report of accreditation and reaffirmation actions taken by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees. The report came as part of the SACSCOC annual meeting held in December 2023 in Orlando, Florida.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Jake Wilson Memorial Amateur One-Day Open Bass Team Tournament Coming Up in April
January 29, 2024 – The 7th Annual Jake Wilson Memorial Amateur One-Day Open Bass Team Tournament will take place April 20, 2024. The event will be hosted by Minnow Bucket Marina on the world famous Lake Fork. Registration entries must be postmarked by April 15th. Two person entry fee is $160.00. There will be a free kid fishing event, on the shoreline, from 10:00am to Noon.
Biden Cabinet Member to Visit Dallas to Highlight Black-Owned Small Business Boom
SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman will visit a Black woman-owned business, tour an SBA disaster loan processing center
January 29, 2024 – WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s cabinet for America’s more than 33 million small businesses, will travel to Dallas, Texas, to highlight the Small Business Boom under the Biden-Harris Administration and the historic growth in Black entrepreneurship in states across America.
Administrator Guzman will first tour a Fort Worth SBA Loan Processing Center, where she will meet with field staff who help the agency process disaster recovery loans for small businesses and the communities they serve. Then, the Administrator will travel to a nearby Black woman-owned small business where, ahead of Black History Month, she will meet with the business owner to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s Black-owned Small Business Boom. Following her meeting with the business owner and tour of the facility, Administrator Guzman will travel to the Dallas Mavericks Corporate Headquarters for an event with the Small Business Digital Alliance (SBDA), ZenBusiness, and Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce to discuss the future of diverse entrepreneurship in America.
The SBA Loan Processing Center tour and SBDA ZenBusiness event are closed press. The Black woman-owned small business tour will be open to members of the media who RSVP to [email protected].
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Sulphur Springs High School BPA Members Competed at the 2024 Regional Leadership Conference
January 29, 2024 – Sulphur Springs High School Business Professional of America (BPA) members competed Monday at the 2024 Regional Leadership Conference held at Vangaurd High School in Mesquite, Texas.
Twenty-six students placed in their respective events with 18 students qualifying for the State Leadership Conference in Corpus Christi.
Here are the results (Q- qualifying, A- state alternate)
Payroll Accounting:
Holden Moss 1st Q
Banking & Finance:
Claire Monk 2nd Q
Giovanni Hernandez 3rd Q
Annaston Price 4th Q
Personal Finance:
Kylie Clarke 4th Q
Fundamental Word Processing:
Madelynn Bailey 5th Q
Intermediate Word Processing:
Matthew Atkinson 5th Q
Basic Office Systems & Procedures:
Savanna Darrow 1st Q
Cameron Johnson 4th Q
Advanced Office Systems & Procedures:
Mika Boren 1st Q
Jaqueline Diosdado 3rd Q
Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications:
Daniel Gardner 2nd Q
Legal Office Systems & Procedures:
Austin Chaney 2nd Q
Administrative Support Research Project:
Gavin Solarzano 1st Q
Kenzie Posey 2nd Q
Business Law & Ethics:
Camilla Hidalgo 4th Q
Device Configuration & Troubleshooting:
Maddox Potts 5th Q
Charles Lee 6th A
Graphic Design Promotion:
Haley Hopkins 3rd A
Advanced Interview Skills:
Coryn Young 5th A
Harmony Goodman 4th A
Layla Pouge 3rd A
Amani Finnie 2nd Q
Human Resource Management:
Sawyer Shutt 5th A
Abby Noguera 4th A
Prepared Speech:
Jaden Allen 3rd A
Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on Iran Attack
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, condemned last night’s Iranian drone attack that left multiple U.S. soldiers dead and dozens injured.
Sen. Cruz said, “Heidi and I are praying for the families of the American warriors who were killed this weekend, and for the speedy and full recovery of the dozens who were injured.
“Joe Biden and Biden administration officials made a Day 1 decision not just to appease the Iranian regime, but indeed to enable the Ayatollah to attack Americans and American interests across the Middle East. They enriched the regime by suspending the enforcement of energy sanctions and looked the other way as Iran built a virtual nuclear arsenal.
“In recent months Iranian-directed proxies attacked Americans over 170 times across the Middle East, but the Biden administration limited any responses to those proxies. The Trump administration’s liquidation of Qasem Soleimani had established deterrence by shattering the regime’s confidence and signaling that the U.S. would not distinguish between the Islamic Republican Guard Corps and its proxies. The administration restored the IRGC’s immunity, collapsing that hard-won deterrence.
“These deliberate, explicit choices by Joe Biden and Biden officials directly led to this weekend’s attack, and they should all be reversed immediately.”
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Tuesday Special Election Polling Places
January 29, 2024 – The District 2 Special Runoff Election will be held Tuesday January 30th, 2024. Polling locations will be in familiar places across Hopkins County. Registered voters can vote at ANY location. Bring your approved ID. Here is the list.
- Precinct 1 Lutheran Church | 1000 Texas Street | Sulphur Springs, TX | (Front Foyer)
- Precinct 2A H.W. Grays Building Community Center | 413 Beckham Street | Sulphur Springs, TX [ (Meeting Room)
- Precinct 3 Hopkins County Courthouse | 118 Church St. | Sulphur Springs, TX | (1’l Floor Courtroom)
- Precinct 3A Paris Junior College – Sulphur Springs Campus [ 1137 Loop 301 | Sulphur Springs, TX | (Room 101-A)
- Precinct 4 Hopkins County Civic Center | 1200 Houston St. | Sulphur Springs, TX | (West Hall)
- Precinct 4A League Street Church Of Christ | 1100 South League | Sulphur Springs, TX | (Front Foyer)
- Precinct 5 Saltillo [SD | 150 CR 3534 l Saltillo, TX 75478 | (Ag Lab)
- Precinct 11 Cumby Municipal Building | 100 E. Main St [ Cumby, TX | (City Meeting Room)
- Precinct 12 Sulphur Bluff [SD | 1027 CR 3550 | Sulphur Bluff, TX 75481 I (Foyer Outside Gym)
- Precinct 13 Como-Pickton CISD | 13017 TX Hwy 11 E | Como, TX 75431 | (Art Room)
- Precinct 16 Miller Grove [SD | 7819 FM 275 South | Cumby, TX 75433 | (Foyer Outside Gym)
- Precinct 17 North Hopkins [SD | 1994 FM 71 W | Sulphur Springs, TX | (Administrative Building)
Polls open at 7AM and close at 7PM.
Registered voters can vote at ANY location.
Sample Ballot for Tuesday Looks Easy Enough
January 29, 2024 – The sample ballot for the Special Runoff Election House District 2 looks simple enough. With only two candidates running for one seat it will probably take longer to find a place to park and find your id than to make your choice.
But dont let then keep you from voting. Every election is important. Consider this:
Voting gives the ability for people to express their opinions about the government. The power lies in our hands when we vote. We are given a really great opportunity that many people don’t take advantage of. We are given the opportunity to change what we don’t like and bring about something we do like. Every vote reassures our democracy and makes it stronger. We can’t allow for it to weaken and disintegrate. Many people around the world opinions don’t matter.
Huey O’Neal – Member of The American Legion
The American Rodeo Will Stop at Globe Life Field
THE AMERICAN RODEO ANNOUNCES RETURN TO GLOBE LIFE FIELD IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS, MARCH 8 – 9, 2024 WITH NEW THREE-YEAR VENUE PARTNERSHIP
Hey rodeo fans! Teton Ridge announced that The American Western Weekend is returning to Globe Life Field March 8-9, 2024. The action-packed weekend will include The American Performance Horseman and The American Rodeo. You won’t want to miss some of the best in entertainment and western sports!
- Friday night is The American Performance Horseman, followed by a musical performance from Luke Bryan
- Saturday night is The American Rodeo, capped off by a musical performance from Post Malone
KSST will be giving away tickets to this event in the weeks ahead.
Paris District Road Report for week of January 29, 2024
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Jan. 29, 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.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
Safety Message: Motorcyle Safety Campaign
TxDOT’s statewide “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” motorcycle safety and public awareness campaign urges motorists to look twice for motorcycles, especially at intersections, where motorcycle collisions most commonly occur.
Why should drivers be aware of motorcyclists when traveling Texas roads?
On average, one motorcyclist dies in a crash on Texas roads every day. In 2022, 562 riders lost their lives and 2,422 were seriously injured in crashes. More than half of fatal motorcycle crashes result from collisions with other vehicles. Drivers simply don’t see the motorcycle or misjudge its distance and speed. The small size of motorcycles can make them appear farther away when they’re actually closer. The combination of congested roadways, distracted driving and the difficulty of seeing motorcycles in traffic has led to many preventable fatalities each year.
What are some tips for safely sharing the road with motorcycles?
Take extra care when making a left turn. It is safest to let the motorcycle pass to avoid turning in front of the rider.
Pay special attention at intersections. Nearly one in three motorcycle fatalities happens at a roadway intersection.
Give driving your full attention. Even a momentary distraction, such as answering a phone call or changing the radio station, can have deadly consequences.
Look twice when changing lanes. Check mirrors, blind spots, and always use turn signals.
Give motorcycles room when passing them. Move over to the passing lane and don’t crowd the motorcyclist’s full lane.
Stay back. If you’re behind a motorcycle, always maintain a safe following distance. When a motorcyclist downshifts instead of applying the brake to slow down, it can catch drivers off guard since there are no brake lights to signal reduced speed.
Slow down. Obey posted speed limits and drive to conditions.
Grayson County: 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.
Mainlane traffic has been switched from the old mainlanes to the existing frontage roads to allow for construction of the new mainlanes and bridges between South Travis Street and Center Street. During this operation, northbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road approximately one-half mile north of South Travis Street and transition back to the existing mainlanes at Middleton Street. Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road approximately one-half mile north of Park Avenue and transition back to existing mainlanes approximately one-half mile north of South Travis Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and bridges at Post Oak Creek. During this phase, US 75 frontage road traffic will be reduced to a single travel lane while US 75 mainlane traffic will maintain two travel lanes. Both mainlane and frontage road traffic will be separated by concrete barriers.
All eastbound and westbound lanes of Park Avenue under US 75 are closed to traffic. This closure is necessary to allow for construction of the new overpass at Park Avenue. To detour, eastbound Park Avenue traffic will continue on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on South Travis Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Park Avenue. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Center Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Park Avenue.
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 new frontage road lanes.
FM 1417, from US 82 to SH 56. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews construct the new roadway pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a four-lane divided section with turn lanes.
US 82, from SH 91 to FM 1417 in Sherman. Watch for lane closures 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. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Park Road 20 in Eisenhower State Park. Watch for daytime lane closures within Eisenhower State Park as workers perform base repairs on the roadway and then overlay the roadway with a hot-mix surface. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers 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 Monday and Thursday during the nighttime.
US 69, from SH 56 to SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform potholing and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 406, from SH 289 to FM 84. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform potholing and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 1417, from FM 691 to FM 120. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform potholing and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Fannin County: 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.
CR 3210 at Bullard Creek. CR 3210 at Bullard Creek is closed to through traffic to allow for replacement of the bridge. During the closure, traffic is asked to use CR 3200 as a detour.
CR 1020 at Caney Creek. CR 1020 at Caney Creek is closed to through traffic to allow for replacement of the bridge. During the closure, traffic is asked to use CR 1030 as a detour.
SH 78, from FM 68 to FM 1629. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform potholing and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 816, from SH 78 to Hunt County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform potholing and blade leveling 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.
Hopkins County: FM 900, from I-30 to FM 3019. Watch for single lane closures and delays as crews perform surfacing operations.
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.
FM 1507 (Jefferson Rd), from SH 19 to 0.8 MI North of Loop 286. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews install sidewalk.
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
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.
US 271, Lamar & Red River Counties: from the 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.
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.
Red River County: Cedar / Church Street (Clarksville, Texas), at the intersection of Cedar and Church Street. Watch for road closure while crews remove and replace the existing bridge.
Locust Street (Clarksville, Texas), at Delaware Creek. Watch for road closure while crews remove and replace the existing bridge.
CR 2127 at Scatter Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and 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 11, from Culver Street to Live Oak. The contractor has placed work zone signs and barricades. The contractor has been working on signals at the various locations. The contractor has finished placing sod at various locations. 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 begun preparing the right of way and placing driveways and driveway safety-end-treatments and cross culvert work in ongoing. The contractor is currently working on a culvert extension and performing subgrade widening work and base work. 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 performing saw cutting edge lines of the existing roadway for detour tie-ins. Crews worked on fine grading flex base. The contractor has shifted traffic to the west to begin removals of asphalt, concrete and some existing driveways. Placement of storm sewer has started. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2649, from I-30 to FM 1567. The contractors have set barricades and work zone traffic signs. Cross culvert work is complete. The contractor has completed subgrade widening and cement treatment of the subgrade near mile six of the eight-mile project. Riprap and erosion control work is ongoing in the area. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Shelby Avenue and Bledsoe Creek Bridge: The contractor has set barricades and work zone signs at both locations. The contractor has placed beams and poured the concrete deck on Shelby Avenue. The Bledsoe Creek in Fannin County project has begun on the backwalls and prep right-of-way work. 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 contractor will be performing eastbound mainlane barrier shift work, placing low profile traffic barrier at FM 1903 and excavation / embankment for detour placement. Excavation work on Gilstrap will begin soon and some work zone striping will be performed east bound near FM 570. Utility work is ongoing. Temporary ramps are now opened. 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.
Hunt and Rains Counties Maintenance crews will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads. Both sections will be working on potholing multiple Farm to Market Roads and State Highways.
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