You Can Learn Vital Skills in Welding at Paris Junior College
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Welding Instructor John Plemons works with welding student Mary Walker as she practices the structural welding position 3G process. To learn more about the program and enrolling in an upcoming welding class, call John at 903-885-1232.
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.
Dinner Bell Notice For November 22, 2023
There will be no Dinner Bell service for Wednesday, November 22! That is the day before Thanksgiving. Dinner Bell personnel will be spending the holiday with their families!!!
The Dinner Bell staff and The First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs members wish everyone and their families a HAPPY THANKSGIVING 🦃🦃🦃!
We return to Dinner Bell] service on November 29, 2023. Hope to see you then!
MENU
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AS THE FLU AND COVID ARE IN OUR MIDST! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
Next Hopkins County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting is Thursday, November 16th
At our November meeting Paula Altenbaumer will reprise her portrayal of Hopkins County pioneer Mary Ann Hargrave. We know many of you were unable to attend our joint meeting in August with the Hopkins County Historical Society. So, Paula has agreed to give a repeat performance. Please join us in person or via Zoom on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 7:00 P.M, 611 N. Davis, Sulphur Springs Texas.
Register here for the Zoom meeting: meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUldO2trDwrGNBMt2XoyMznIvNThLdk7Qsh
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting
We hope to see you there!
Paula Altenbaumer as Mary Ann Hargrave McLaughlin. Photo by Rhonda Bechhold
Area Food Pantries Ready For Thanksgiving
November 13, 2023 – It takes scores of volunteers to move food from the North Texas Food Bank to needy people around Hopkins County.
This is the most hectic time of the year for area food banks. Each one is trying to provide that favorite holiday centerpiece, the frozen turkey. The weight and volume of the frozen birds puts a strain on backs, and tests the limits of available storage.
Logistics
For some pantries, food is shipped via semi-truck from Dallas to Sulphur Springs. Pantries meet at a local church with dollies and trailers to divide up pallets. Once the driver moves the pallet to the parking lot, it’s all hand on deck.
Folks from all the pantries help each other, share carts and pitch in to get the food sorted and loaded.
How Can You Help? Contact your local food pantry and volunteer. KSST visited several in the area, and they all need volunteers.
City National Bank Employees Show Support for In My Closet
November 13, 2023 – The employees of The City National Bank have once again generously donated to In My Closet. CNB employees had the opportunity to wear jeans, and pink, on Thursdays during the month of October. The employees raised $1,035 that they donated to In My Closet.
John Sellers, CNB’s marketing director, shared, “CNB employees wanted our donation for breast cancer awareness to stay local to help the local women and men that need the services of In My Closet. This is
also in honor of our employees and customers that have been touched by this disease and thankfully
recovered.”
In My Closet began in 2016 as a project of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation. It is a free service that provides wigs, caps, prosthetics, and other items to Hopkins County women who are undergoing or have undergone breast cancer treatment. It is the only local resource for such items. The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization that may accept charitable contributions under the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation has been serving the healthcare needs of Hopkins County for twenty-six years.
To donate to In My Closet or to make an appointment to visit the closet, call 903-438-4799.
Prescribed Burns From Master Gardener David Wall
As dry weather and forest fuel buildup continue, please consider a prescribed fire or burn, which is any fire purposely set to improve the land in some way. They may be started to reduce fuel buildups, such as
brush, dead leaves or logs on the ground, or to help restore overall health of the land’s ecosystem. A prescribed burn, for instance, might be conducted to prevent a major forest fire from occurring at a later
time.
Prescribed burns must be planned in advance and have definite boundaries. This includes getting approval from applicable state or federal agencies. Weather conditions play an important part of any
prescribed burn, including low wind, so flames and heat can be controlled. Such fires usually occur in early morning hours when weather conditions are optimum.
Use of prescribed fire is an accepted tool for land management, since burning under the right conditions allows better control of fire effects and smoke. It improves the land for forest, fish, wildlife and range
management, all while removing unwanted plants, encouraging the growth of new vegetation, and helping plants whose habitats depend on periodic fire, all while keeping the public safe.
While other methods may be used, most prescribed fires are lit by crews using a drip torch, a hand-carried device that pours out a small stream of burning fuel. If conditions are not safe for prescribed burns, such as with a heavy slash buildup after logging operations, other means of
controlling the land can be used, including mechanically removing brush and timber, or chemical treatment of invasive weeds, can be utilized, usually at considerably more expense than a prescribed burn. Where possible, though, a prescribed burn is the optimum choice, because it is
cheaper and provides benefits to the land that cannot be achieved by the other ways.
Paris District Road Report for week of November 13, 2023
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Nov. 13, 2023. 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.
Grayson County: US 75, from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). 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. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set on the mainlanes for this construction project.
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.
The intersection of North Travis Street with US 75 is closed to allow for the construction of the new northbound US 75 overpass at North Travis Street. While the intersection is closed, traffic on west- and eastbound North Travis Street will be able to turn right only onto the frontage road and detour to the next available intersection. State Highway 91, Taylor Street, Washington Street and the U-turns at Washington Street will remain open during this temporary closure.
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.
The eastbound entrance ramp to US 82 at the US 75 intersection is closed to traffic. This ramp serves as the entrance ramp to eastbound US 82 at US 75. This closure is needed to complete the construction of the US 82 eastbound frontage road and new entrance ramp. Motorists are advised to use the eastbound frontage road and continue east through the Loy Lake intersection and use the eastbound entrance ramp from Loy Lake Road to gain access to US 82.
The annual crack seal contract to place sealant in the pavement cracks on roadways in Grayson County has begun. The following roadways will receive a crack seal: FM 901 from SH 56 to end of State Maintenance; FM 1417 from FM 120 to US 82; Spur 503 from SH 91 to US 69; SH 56 from SH 289 to FM 1417; FM 3356 from FM 121 to the Collin County line; US 69 from SH 11 to SH 56; US 75 frontage roads from Ray Yard bridge to Oklahoma State line; FM 120 from US 75 to US 69; and US 69 from US 75 to FM 120. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 1417, from US 82 to SH 56. 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. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
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.
SH 11, from FM 697 in Sherman to US 69 in Whitewright. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers replace guardrails, backfill the pavement, and seed the project. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers 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, the bridge location 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.
Crawford Road at the Tributary of Big Mineral Arm. Crawford Road at the Tributary of Big Mineral Arm is closed to through traffic to allow for replacement of the bridge. During the closure, traffic is asked to use Basin Springs Road and Brooks Lane as a detour.
US 75 full depth concrete repair. 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.
FM 902, from US 377 to SH 289. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 3133, from SH 5 to the Collin County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Fannin County: The annual crack seal contract to place sealant in the pavement cracks on roadways in Fannin County has begun. The following roadways will receive a crack seal: FM 64 from SH 34 to the Delta County line; FM 151 from US 69 to the Grayson County line; FM 981 from US 69 to the Collin County line; SH 50 from Church Street to the Hunt County line; FM 904 from FM 64 to FM 1550; FM 274 from FM 898 to FM 1753; FM 1629 from SH 121 to SH 78; FM 87 from SH 56 to US 82; FM 273 from FM 1396 to FM 2029; FM 1753 from SH 78 to the Grayson County line. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
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.
SH 34, from FM 64 to FM 1550. Watch for traffic shifts and traffic-signal-controlled lane closures as workers build the bridge approaches for the new SH 34 roadway at the future Lake Ralph Hall.
FM 1550, from SH 34 to CR 3544. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work on building the connection of the realigned FM 1550 to the existing roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 56, from FM 2077 in Dodd City to SH 34 in Honeygrove. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform spot milling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 2077, from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs 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.
Franklin County: I-30, from SH 37 to County Road 3050. Watch for single lane closures and delays as crews perform pavement widening for truck parking area.
Spur 423, at I-30 N Frontage Road. Watch for single lane closures and delays as crews install traffic signal.
Hopkins County: FM 900, from I-30 to FM 3019. Watch for single lane closures and delays as crews begin road widening 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.
Delta County: FM 64, from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
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.
FM 410, from US 82 to FM 3281. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews install sidewalk and improve drainage.
CR 2127 at Scatter Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
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.
FM 2120, from FM 2573 to FM SH 37. 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 is forming and pouring sidewalk and curb ramps on the north bound service road. Electrical boxes and pedestrian poles are being set on the project. This project is a traffic calming project and pedestrian improvements on SH 11. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 1563, from SH50 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 some driveways and driveway safety-end-treatments. 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 is performing detour work and backfilling edges. The contractor has begun demolition of median on the north end of I-30 intersection.
FM 2649, from I-30 to FM 1567. Contractors have set barricades and work zone traffic signs. Cross culvert work is complete, reworking the roadway, widening and cement treatment to the subgrade, and reworking the roadway base material is ongoing. The contractor is on mile six of this eight-mile project and will be hauling in flexbase material to begin processing and should start prime coat operations soon. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Shelby Avenue Bridge: Greenville. The contractor has set barricades and work zone signage. The contractor has begun demolition of existing structure and will begin work on abutments. Contractor is waiting on beam fabrication, once complete beams will be placed soon. The contractor will begin work on Bledsoe Creek bridge while beams are being fabricated. 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 main lane widening and embankment placement. Utility work is ongoing in the area. The contractor plans to place more barrier and perform main lane widening work soon. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Rains County: FM 2946, from FM 515 to FM 279. Contractors have set barricades and work zone traffic signs. The contractor is performing base repair work and widening work. Seal coat work and ditch work will be ongoing in this area. Please, be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews for both Hunt and Rains Counties will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads. Both sections have been working on bridge maintenance projects. Herbicide operations are ongoing throughout both counties.
#
Hopkins County CASA Cookie Walk Dec. 1, 2023
Lake Country CASA is hosting their annual CASA COOKIE WALK, Friday, December 1 st at First United
Methodist Church from 9 am – 12 pm.
A variety of cookies and other sweet eats will be offered for a $10 per pound donation (or more if you are feeling generous) Dec. 1, 2022, at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 301 Church St. (across from the Post Office).
There will be lots of delicious cookies donated by members of the community, as well as several local professional bakers, so make time to stop by and stock up on your favorite cookies for this holiday season.
CASA has added a silent wreath auction this year that will be held at the Cookie Walk. Visit their social media to see pictures of the wreaths that will be available for auction. The wreaths will be displayed in the window of the Chamber of Commerce in the weeks prior to the event.
Finally, CASA is pre selling Christmas sweatshirts for $30 each. You can find the two designs on their Facebook page and can comment to place your order. There will also be some sweatshirts available for sale at the Cookie Walk.
All proceeds raised from this event will help continue providing quality advocacy to children in foster care in Hopkins, Rains, and Franklin counties.
CASA is dedicated to helping children who have been removed from their homes and placed into the foster care system.
In cases where children enter the foster system because their homes are deemed or alleged to be unsafe, a judge may appoint a committed volunteer whose only focus is on that child, giving hope and help in guiding the child to a safe, permanent home.
CASAs work to ensure that every child who needs an advocate to speak for his or her best interests before the courts has a caring, trained adult to help them during this difficult time in their life.
Donations are accepted to help support the CASA program, to provide funding for advocacy efforts and things the children CASA is entrusted to represent wouldn’t have if not for the organization. Donations may be made:
For more information about Lake County CASA, becoming a CASA or a foster family, call 903-885-1173 or stop by the CASA Cookie Walk Friday morning at FUMC.
Dinner Bell Menu For November 15, 2023
Come celebrate our Thanksgiving meal with us! The Knights of Columbus of St. James Catholic Church have been the Community Partner for this occasion since 2017! That group of dedicated men started smoking the turkeys, the mainstay of the meal, in 2018. Dinner Bell appreciates the continued support of the Knights of Columbus.
GRAB and GO with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway (porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus starting around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Smoked Turkey with Gravy, Dressing and Cranberry Sauce
Bacon Green Beans
Holiday Honeycrisp Salad
Yeast Rolls
Pumpkin Dump Cake
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AS THE FLU AND COVID ARE IN OUR MIDST! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
The Genealogical Society’s City Cemetery Walk is Sunday, November 12th
The Hopkins County Genealogical Society’s Annual City Cemetery Walk will be held Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, at the Sulphur Springs City Cemetery. Cost is a $10 donation. Reserve a spot by calling 903-885-8523, or by stopping by 611 North Davis Street.
