TxDOT Campaign Urges Drivers to Plan for Sober Ride During Holiday Season
AUSTIN – It was the middle of the night in 2006 when Debra Vasquez was awakened by the heart-wrenching phone call informing her that her 16-year-old daughter, Erica, and 5-year-old nephew, Elias, had been killed by a drunk driver. It was later revealed the drunk driver had two prior DWIs.
“I want drivers to understand that your life can change in the blink of an eye,” Vasquez said. “Two lives were taken because of someone’s mistake to drink alcohol and drive. People think ‘oh this won’t happen to me.’ I thought this at one time, too. I beg you. Don’t drink alcohol and drive.”
Vasquez is sharing her story to support the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Plan While You Can” campaign, which urges drivers to make a plan for a sober ride this holiday season.
“Planning for a sober ride to and from holiday festivities is not only smart and responsible, but it also could save your life and the lives of others,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “Let the holiday season be a time of celebration and fun, not regret. Nobody wants to remember the holidays as a time when they lost a loved one or killed an innocent person. These kinds of losses are totally preventable.”
In 2017, there were 2,469 alcohol-related crashes in Texas during the holiday season.* Those crashes killed 96 people and seriously injured another 202.
The “Plan While You Can” campaign includes a statewide tour featuring an interactive game called “Plan to Win.” In the game, three participants stand on an oversized game board as a live announcer presents a series of trivia questions related to the consequences of drinking and driving. Players avoid going to “jail” by correctly answering the questions. Spectators can view the questions and follow the game on a large monitor. The game is designed to be fun, yet educational, as it reminds audiences of the importance of planning for a sober ride rather than drinking and driving. The “Plan to Win” game will visit four Texas cities during December.
Drivers under the influence of alcohol not only risk killing or seriously injuring themselves or others, but also face up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time and loss of their driver’s license. As always, TxDOT urges drivers to visit SoberRides.org to find alternatives to drinking and driving, such as:
- Designating a sober driver.
- Contacting a cab or ride-share service.
- Using mass transit.
- Asking a sober friend or family member for a ride home.
- Spending the night.
Winnsboro Police Department Report December 10-12, 2018
Winnsboro Police arrested two, reported three accidents, responded to 159 calls for service, issued 41 citations and wrote 57 warnings during the report period, December 10-12, 2018.
Gerry Privette, 51, of Winnsboro, was arrested December 14th for Criminal Trespass.
Justin Turnery, 31, of McDade, was arrested December 15th for Assault Causing Bodily Injury.
Winnsboro Police reported a two vehicle accident in the 800 block of South Main. Minor injuries were reported.
Leg injuries and a minor transported to hospital resulted in a one vehicle accident involving the minor being hit by the vehicle in the 100 block of East Coke Road.
Winnsboro Police reported a two vehicle accident iat Main and Coke Road. No injuries were reported.
Kids Kingdom Closed Tuesday for Maintenance/Sealant
Kid’s Kingdom will be closed Tuesday, December 18, 2018 as city crews perform maintenance and apply sealant .
Meal a Day Menu: Dec 17th-21st
Meal A Day Menu for December 17th – December 21st
MONDAY
Spaghetti and Meat Balls
English Peas
Garlic Toast
Tossed Salad
TUESDAY
Oven Omelet
Bacon
Orange Slices
Blue Berry Muffins
WEDNESDAY
Taco Soup
Crackers
Cheese Cubes
Tossed Salad
THURSDAY Christmas Dinner
Sliced Ham and Dressing
Green Beans Casserole
Sweet Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce
Roll
FRIDAY
Chicken Sliders
Lettuce, Tomatoes and Onions
Pickle Spear
Potato Chips
City Council Emergency Meeting Closes Gilmer Street Between Main and Tomlinson
Following an emergency meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council Saturday morning at 9 a.m., the owner of the building at 200 Main Street is considering what to do about the side of the building fronting Gilmer Street. Thanks to a fire in the 1930’s that burned half through some of the wall joist and over the years the wall began buckling and cracking the building is now unstable. Although adjoined the separate building that houses Secret Garden Gift shop is safe and the retail establishment will remain open.
At this time, Gilmer Street between Main Street and Tomlinson Street is closed off and the building wall must be shored up within 72 hours. The street, sidewalk, and parking area along the street are blocked. The sidewalk and parking area will remain closed off after the walls are braced. The walls will be braced so that, if they do collapse they will fall in place and not outward into the street.
A plan for repair of the wall is in place but the cost of repair will be factor. The owner of the property is considering either repairing the wall or replacing the wall or removing the building.
The city council announced the emergency meeting 14 hours prior to the meeting time which is allowed bylaw if the named emergency is found to indeed be an emergency.
Lady Cats Hang on for Win Against Princeton
The Lady Cats’ basketball team cruised to a 17 point halftime lead against Princeton at home Friday night (December 14) only to have to hang on for dear life for a 3 point win, 53-50.
The Lady Panthers could do little right in the first half trailing 17-4 after the first quarter and 32-15 at the half. In the third quarter, Lady Cats point guard Sadavia Porter was forced to the bench with four fouls and the Lady Panthers began to heat up. Still the Lady Cats led 42-32 heading into the fourth quarter. Even after Porter returned Princeton continued to cut into the lead and got as close as 47-46 late in the game. Only some big baskets by seniors Autumn Tanton and clutch free throws by Porter allowed the Lady Cats to stay ahead. Late in the fourth quarter, Porter hit a driving layup as she took a very hard foul. Porter made both free throws and the Lady Cats also got possession of the ball.
Tanton led the Lady Cats in scoring with 26 points including 5 big points in the fourth quarter. Porter had 20 points in the game including 6 fourth quarter points. She was 4 of 5 from the line in the final quarter. Princeton point guard Nakeitra Mack scored 23 points.
The Lady Cats improved their season record to 13-3. Princeton slips to 8-7. The Lady Cats play North Lamar next Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. in Wildcats Gym. North Lamar is the alma mater of Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell.
Willis Scores 36 in Loss to #6 Ranked 6A Jesuit
Jesuit of Dallas, the #6 ranked team in Class 6A, used a strong first half to outpoint the Wildcats, 86-68 at home Friday evening (December 14). Jesuit jumped out to a ten point first quarter lead at 25-15. They increased their lead to 53-23 at the half.
Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said the Wildcats started off very slowly. He said the Rangers hurt the Wildcats inside early on. The Wildcats had to play without 6-foot-9 center Xavier Cork, who was out with a foot injury. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats played very well in the second half. He said they cut the lead to nine points at one point but he said they started their comeback too late. The Wildcats actually outscored Jesuit 45-33 in the second half but the big Rangers first half was just too much to overcome.
Keaston Willis had a monster game with 36 points. Jeremiah Roland scored 11 points. Sadaidriene Day Day Hall and Grayson McClure had 6 points each. Cameron Kahn scored 5 points. Boo Wilkerson added 3 points. The
Wildcats season record is now 10-6. Four of their losses have come from highly ranked Class 6A teams: #1 ranked Denton Guyer, #6 ranked Jesuit of Dallas, #11 Fort Bend Elkins and #13 Wylie. Jesuit of Dallas improved to 13-1 for the season.
The Wildcats take on Class 6A Tyler Lee next Tuesday in Tyler at 7:30 p.m.
Saltillo Lions, Lady Lions Win Homecoming Games
Both the Saltillo Lions and Lady Lions got victories over North Hopkins Friday (December 14). The Lions topped the Panthers, 54-42. The Lady Lions won a Homecoming game against the Lady Panthers, 61-46.
The Lions got off to a good start and led North Hopkins, 16-9 after one quarter. Saltillo led at the half 31-15 and 44-26 after three quarters. The Panthers outscored the Lions 16-10 in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough. For the Lions, Matthew Gurley had 18 points, Chris Boekhorst added 16 points and Ben Moore scored 14 points. Levi Hoover scored 4 points and Edi Olayo had 2 points. The Lions are now 10-6 for the season. The Lady Lions built a lead for three quarters so they could survive a rough fourth quarter.
The Lady Lions led 17-11 for one period, 38-16 at the half and 56-30 after three quarters. The Lady Panthers outscored the Lady Lions in the fourth quarter, 16-5 but it wasn’t enough. For the Lady Lions, Anna Reeder had 20 points. Chandler Bain scored 16 points. Jocelyn Ochoa added 13 points. Paisley Kastner and Maddy Smith scored 5 points apiece. Kristina Wade scored 2 points. The Lady Lions are now 11-8 for the season.
Both the Lions and the Lady Lions play next at Campbell Tuesday. The Lady Lions play at 6 p.m. and the Lions at 7:15 p.m.
Paris District Weekly Road Report for Dec. 17
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
SH 37, Franklin County: From Mt. Vernon to Winnsboro. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform surfacing operations; flaggers will direct traffic.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties): Various roadways throughout Delta, Lamar, and Red River counties will have crack seal work continuing this week. This work will require lane closures.
Loop 286 at FM 79, Lamar County: The outside eastbound lane remains closed. Work to repair the slope at the southwest quadrant will continue. When using the exit ramp, motorists should watch for workers and be prepared to stop during daytime operations. This work is scheduled to continue through the next couple of weeks, weather permitting.
FM 197, Lamar County: Watch for temporary lane closures as workers widen and reconstruct existing pavement and upgrade drainage structures.
US 271 pavement repair, Lamar and Red River Counties: from Loop 286 in Paris southeastward to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and/or shoulder closures as work continues throughout this project.
US 271 safety upgrades, Red River County: from FM 410 to the Red River-Titus County line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures as workers upgrade metal guard fence and bridge rails, and extend and safety-treat drainage structures.
SH 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.
FM 2648 widening, Lamar County: Watch for temporary, one-lane daytime closures as workers widen and rehabilitate the roadway, and safety treat cross drainage structures.
SH 24 expansion, Delta County: from Cooper, Texas, southwestward towards Commerce. Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas while this roadway is being widened and improved. Drivers can expect lane closure shifts at various locations along the southbound lanes during the day. The outside southbound lane will be open to traffic each evening.
