2024 MLK Awards Rescheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2024
January 22, 2024 – The 2024 Martin Luther King Awards Ceremony in Sulphur Springs, Texas, has been rescheduled for Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Morning Chapel Baptist Church. The Church is located at 208 Fuller Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas. The program begins at 6:30pm. The public is invited to attend.
Former NHL Star Mike Ribeiro Trial Begins Jury Selection in Franklin County
January 22, 2024 – Approximately 300 potential jurors were called to the Franklin County Airport on this cold drizzly Monday morning to begin the jury selection process in a sexual assault case that has garnered national attention. The alternate location of the Franklin County Airport was chosen due to the large jury pool and parking concerns.
Mike Ribeiro, once the leading scorer for the Dallas Stars, played for 16 season in the National Hockey League, including six seasons with the Dallas Stars. Ribeiro retired from the NHL after the 2016-2017 season. Ribeiro was arrested in April of 2022 on two charges of sexual assault, then released after posting $200,000 bond. Ribeiro allegedly sexually assaulted two women on June 23rd, 2021.
*UPDATE!* Travis Primary Closed For Gas Leak
January 22, 2024 2:25pm – *UPDATE!*
KSST was emailed the following information regarding the closed campus of Travis Primary this afternoon.
Update to Travis Primary Parents:
Weather permitting, the gas leak at Travis Primary will be repaired by Thursday. Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and staff, we will hold class in the main building of First Baptist Church, not The ROC, until the repair is complete. As of right now, Travis Primary will hold class at this location Tuesday, Jan 23rd through Thursday, Jan 25th. If your student is a car rider, please drop them here at 116 Oak Avenue. We will have staff at the Oak Avenue entrances, ready to greet students as they arrive on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. SSISD buses will also drop students off at this location.
Si el tiempo lo permite, la fuga de gas en la Primaria Travis será reparada el jueves. Como medida de precaución para la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal, daremos clases en el edificio principal de First Baptist Church, no el ROC, hasta que la reparación se ha completado. A partir de ahora, Travis Primaria llevará a cabo las clases en este lugar desde el dia martes, 23 de Enero hasta el jueves, 25 de Enero. Si su estudiante va en carro, por favor déjelos aquí en el 116 Oak Avenue. Tendremos personal en las entradas de Oak Avenue, listo para recibir a los estudiantes a medida que llegan el martes, miércoles y jueves. Los autobuses de SSISD también dejarán a los estudiantes en este lugar.
January 22, 2024 – Students of Travis Primary were rerouted Monday morning as their campus was closed due to a gas leak on the property. Classes for the young students are being held at the ROC located at 115 Putman St. in Sulphur Springs. Atmos Energy is working on the issue at Travis Primary as SSISD administration is unsure of when the issue will be resolved.
SSISD released the closure information via their Facebook page:
Attention Parents of Travis Primary Students:
There is a gas leak at Travis Primary. Atmos is on campus working right now, but students will need to be relocated to The ROC tomorrow at 115 Putman Street. If your student rides the bus, they will be dropped at this location. If your student is a car rider, please drop off at The ROC. Thank you for your understanding, and thank you to First Baptist Church for providing a space for our students and staff tomorrow.
Hay una fuga de gas en Travis Primary. La compañía Atmos está en la escuela trabajando, pero los estudiantes de Travis Primary serán reubicados al edificio The ROC mañana, 115 Putman Street. Si su estudiante viaja en autobús, el autobús lo dejará en este lugar. Si su estudiante viaja en automóvil, déjelo en The Roc. Gracias por su comprensión.
Sulphur Springs Misses the Wintry Mix
January 22, 2024 – Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County seem to have missed the chance for the dreaded wintery mix. No reports of icy road conditions could be found.
There were a few reports of minor ice and snow to our north in Paris, TX. Those isolated spots were expected to melt before the bulk of morning traffic begins.
According to the National Weather Service, the temperature hovered around the freezing mark most of the night, but by 5 AM the temperature was 33 degrees and slowly climbing.
Stay weather aware if your travels take you north and west. There is always a chance that bridges and overpasses could be icy.
Temperatures well above freezing and a virtually continuous chance for rain are forecast for the next five days.
At 5AM there were zero customers without power reported on the Farmers Electric Outage map.
SSISD Board of Trustees Meet Monday, Will Hear Bond Presentation
January 21, 2024 – The Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees will hold their regular monthly meeting at 6:00pm Monday January 22, 2024 in the board room of the Administration Building located at 631 Connally St. in Sulphur Springs.
The trustees will have a full agenda as they swear in a new police chief, hear a presentation on Academic Performance, as well as have a presentation from the Bond Planning Committee. The Bond Planning Committee has worked diligently over the past several months in investigating the district’s needs as well as devising a plan forward for the school district as it pertains to the age of it’s campuses. The committee has narrowed down the most urgent needs for the district which seems to be to add two new primary campuses as well as upgrade existing campuses to increase the number of students for those older campuses that will be refurbished. If the bond committee adheres to this plan, they could be asking the Board of Trustees to consider a bond package of approximately $150 million.
Ultimately, the final decision lies with the seven member board as to what bond amount should be placed on the upcoming May ballot for voters in the SSISD to consider.
It’s a Red Oak, BUT!!! From Master Gardener David Wall
January 21, 2024 – You’ll recall (I hope!) that all oaks are either red oaks or white oaks. With only a very few exceptions, all red oaks have pointed lobed leaves, while white oaks have rounded lobes. With that introduction, the tree for discussion this week is one that few in our area are familiar, the shingle oak (Quercus imbriicaria). It’s a red oak, BUT it has no pointed lobes.
Shingle oaks are no longer regarded as a tree for lumber and as such, make a great shade tree. In years past, the wood was important for making shingles by those moving across the country for their new homes; hence the tree’s common name. Additionally, they make great host trees for caterpillars which are, in turn, fed on by songbirds! They’re also hosts for numerous moths and butterflyies. Acorns are small, so they can be consumed by small animals. In other words, they are a valuable food source for squirrels and birds. They provide shade in the summer and protection from winds (dead leaves are very slow to drop) in winter.
Shingle oaks grow to a height of40-60’ with a similar wingspread. It can, however, reach 100’, but I suspect this is mostly in rural areas. The crown is cone shaped for young trees but gradually becomes rounded with age. Trunk diameter can reach 40”. Leaves are 4-6” long and 1-2” wide. They emerge bright red, and slowly turn to dark green as they mature. The trees adapt to numerous soil types & moisture levels, and grows in full sun to part shade. Like most oaks, shingle oak doesn’t transplant very well, so carefully plan in advance where you want it to grow.
Supplemental watering is only required for the first year. Weekly provide 2-3 gallons of water for each inch in trunk diameter.
Paris District Road Report for week of January 22, 2024
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Jan. 22, 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: Child Passenger Safety
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children. While most people believe their children are properly buckled up, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points out that 46 percent of all car seats are misused. The best way to keep young children safe in your vehicle is to make sure they’re properly buckled up in a car seat. That means selecting a car seat that’s appropriate for a child’s age and size and installing it correctly.
TxDOT’s free safety seat inspections are available throughout the year. To schedule a car seat check-up with a TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist, visit SaveMeWithaSeat.org and enter your ZIP code to find the nearest TxDOT district office.
Visit SaveMeWithaSeat.org to find out more about how to keep your child safe. Drivers can also find out if a child should be in a rear-facing, forward-facing or booster seat and get other child passenger safety tips at the website.
Texas law requires that all children younger than eight years old, unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches, be secured in a child safety seat whenever they ride in a vehicle. Older children who have outgrown a booster seat must be buckled with a seat belt. Failure to properly restrain a child can result in a ticket of up to $250.
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 ongoing.
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.
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.
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 Ave. 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. Both sections will be working on winter weather preparations.
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Como-Pickton CISD Band Booster Club Will Hold Family Bingo Night March 2, 2024
The Como-Pickton CISD Band Booster Club will hold their third Annual Family Bingo Night Saturday, March 2nd, 2024! Some of the prizes you can win include a birthday party for five at UrbanAir-Rockwall, a round of golf for two at the Sulphur Springs Country Club, and much more. The event will be held at the Como-Pickton CISD Secondary Cafeteria. Serving for the Hamburger/hotdog meal begins at 5:00pm. Cards start selling at 5:30pm. Calling starts at 6:00pm. $10 buys one card you can play on for the entire night. Sponsored by the War Eagle Band Boosters. All proceeds go to support the Marching Band program.
Hopkins County Unemployment Once Again Lowest In Region
January 19, 2024 – The State of Texas Unemployment final tally is in for December 2023 and shows that Hopkins County continues to have the lowest unemployment rate for the NorthEast Texas Workforce Development Area (WDA) that contains nine counties. Hopkins County reported a 2.7% rate of workers looking for jobs which proved to be 499 hopeful applicants out of the labor force of 18,629. The county with the highest rate in our WDA for December was Cass County with 4.3%.
The State of Texas continues to hold steady with an unemployment rate of 3.5% as it has for several months. That 3.5% average has held at the same level for our nine-county WDA as well. Hopkins County unemployment has gone down steadily since December 2022 with a rate of 3.9%
The Bridges of Madison County, A Musical at TAMU-C
January 19, 2024 – The Texas A&M University-Commerce Opera Ensemble is thrilled to announce its upcoming musical production of The Bridges of Madison County, a theatrical experience that promises to captivate audiences with its lush music and heartfelt drama.
This compelling production is set to take the stage at Finney Concert Hall in the Music Building from January 25, 2024 to January 28, 2024. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $20 (general admission) and $10 (students). Alternatively, pre-order online to enjoy a $5 discount per ticket.
Experience the emotional journey of The Bridges of Madison County, a spellbinding masterpiece that intricately blends love, passion and the serendipity of fleeting moments. Adapted from Robert James Waller’s bestselling novel with a book by Marsha Norman, this musical depicts the poignant story of Francesca, an Italian-American housewife, and National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid.
The evocative musical score by Jason Robert Brown features heart-wrenching melodies that resonate in the soul. As the forbidden love story unfolds, the audience is swept away by the magnetic chemistry between the protagonists.
The Bridges of Madison County is directed by Leanne Scaggs, music directed by Laura Maxwell, and boasts a brilliant cast, including:
- Analyse Melendez of Garland as Francesca
- Paul Beaty of Duncanville as Robert
- Drew Watson of Allen as Bud
- Campbell Green of Anna as Carolyn
- Josiah de Rueda of Brenham as Michael
- Emalyn Nicholson of Palestine as Marge
- Julio Villeda of Balch Springs as Charlie
- Kristin Wood of The Colony as Marian
- Sabrina Martinez of Mesquite as the State Fair Singer
- Ensemble members Aries Austin, Alijah Bass, Juni Gomez, and Rebekah Lambe
Venue: Music Building, Finney Concert Hall, 1614 State Highway 24, Commerce, TX
- Evening Performances: January 25-27, 2024, 7:30 pm
- Matinee Performance: January 28, 2024, 3:00 pm
The Bridges of Madison County is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. This production is licensed by Music Theatre International.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://tamuc.hometownticketing.com/embed/all?depts=8.
