Veterans Breakfast At The Senior Center
October 12, 2023 – The inaugural Veterans Breakfast at the Senior Center in Sulphur Springs was well attended Thursday Morning.
This event is new to the activities available at the Senior center. It promises to be a monthly occasion from now on. Next month there will be a speaker, and more of the “Wetzel Breakfast Casserole”.
Como Store Robbed By Team of Three
October 11, 2023 – The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help identifying three unknown suspects that are wanted in connection to a theft of a convenient store in Como, TX.
According to the sheriff’s office, the three are accused of stealing approximately $700 from Joe Bob’s convenience store as they worked together to distract and confuse the store’s staff.
Anyone that has information relevant to this investigation is asked to call Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 903-438-4040.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Trail Rides, Wagons, and Mules; Must be Autumn Trails in Winnsboro TX
October 11, 2023 – Winnsboro’s Autumn Trails will resemble a cow town or more accurately, a mule town, later this month.
Alicia Banks Moore spoke to KSST about some of the many events happening during the last weekend in October. “We will have people coming into Winnsboro with their wagons, mules, and horses and camping out in City Park.” This year Autumn Trails will welcome campers around one week earlier than previous years. “We hope they start checking in on Sunday afternoon, but we know there will be some folks arriving even earlier.” said Moore.
The mule is a domestic equine hybrid between a donkey and a horse. It is the offspring of a male donkey (a jack) and a female horse (a mare). The horse and the donkey are different species, with different numbers of chromosomes; of the two possible first-generation hybrids between them, the mule is easier to obtain and more common than the hinny, which is the offspring of a female donkey (a jenny) and a male horse (a stallion).
Moore also said that her 74 year-old father will be bringing out their antique wagon this year. “We know it was made prior to 1905.” she said. Her family restored the iron wheel wagon recently.
Moore will be in the Trail Ride Welcome Parade on 4pm Friday the 20th. She will have some of the Pageant Winners in her rubber-tired wagon. “Oh, we have numerous Autumn Trails Queens. Little Miss Autumn 4-6 years old, Autumn Princess 7-9 years old, Jr. Miss Autumn 10-13 years old, and QUEEN Autumn Trails 14-18 years old.” Moore also wanted to remind parade riders of the strict ‘No Stallions Allowed Policy.
Saturday morning kicks of the Trail Rides that Autumn Trails is famous for. Riders will have escourts during the rides as the rides use some paved County Roads. There are two trail rides slated, one Saturday, one Sunday. Find out more about the rides here.
Texas A&M Forest Service Encourages Responsible Recreation During Annular Eclipse
October 11, 2023 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Within six months, two eclipse events will crisscross the heart of Texas. The first being an annular solar eclipse occurring Oct. 14 and featuring a “ring of fire” created by the sun’s shadow around the moon while parts of Texas will be in the path of totality.
The second eclipse is a total eclipse, occurring April 8, 2024, that will traverse across the path of the annular eclipse.
To have a safe and enjoyable eclipse viewing experience, Texas A&M Forest Service encourages everyone to recreate responsibly and prevent wildfires.
“With the first of two eclipse events approaching, we expect Texans and visitors alike to travel across the state and gather on public lands to get a great view,” said Emily Wall, Texas A&M Forest Service Chief Operating Officer Forest Resource Protection. “We encourage everyone to get outside and appreciate this rare occurrence. However, it is important that all eclipse-watchers leave no trace and take care of the lands that we all enjoy.”
Consider the following tips for a fun and safe eclipse viewing experience:
Leave no trace but take a memorable eclipse experience. Practice responsible and respectful recreation by staying on trails, packing out trash and being mindful of wildlife and other eclipse-watchers.
Avoid sparking wildfires. Don’t drive or park on tall, dry grass. Be cautious of dragging chains and check tire pressure.
Burn it where you buy it. Help reduce the spread of invasive pests and diseases. Buy and use firewood locally.
Don’t leave campfires hot. Drown, stir, drown again and feel—if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
Learn more and download resources to help enjoy a safe Texas Two-Step Eclipse experience: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/TexasEclipse/
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Winnsboro Police Department Media Report 10-02-2023 – 10-08-2023
Arrests:
Vance, Stormie, 39 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on 10-02-2023 for Winnsboro Municipal Court warrant for Expired Driver’s License and WSCO warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance less than 1G.
Cabral Ortiz, Joel, 27 years of age, of Haltom City, arrested on 10-06-23 for Criminal Mischief.
Maggard, Paul, 44 years of age, of Winnsboro, arrested on 10-06-23 for Terroristic Threat of a Family/Household.
Rodriguez, Jose, 53 years of age, of Winnsboro, arrested on 10-07-23 for DWI.
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 101 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 31 citations and 34 warnings during this reporting period.
Sulphur Springs Varsity Tennis Takes Bi-District Championship
October 10, 2023 – SSHS Varsity Tennis will advance in the playoffs as they conquered Kilgore for the Bi-District Championship recently. The following are the results of the matches:
Girls Doubles – Ella Sant and Jessie Li, Coral Perez and Stori Shropshire, Gianna Carter and Anna-Claire Newsom ALL WON their doubles!
Mixed Doubles – Mac McCoy and Flor Gudino took a WIN!
Boys Doubles – Ian Westlund and Malachi Negrete, Oscar Guerrero and Brody Emmert WON!
Boys Singles – Oscar Guerrero, Ian Westlund, Malachi Negrete, Justin Chen, and Mac McCoy ALL WON!
Brody Emmert fought back from being one set down and won in a third set tie breaker!
Girls Singles – Ella Sant, Coral Perez, Jessie Li, Stori Shropshire, Anna-Claire Newsom, and Flor Gudino ALL WON!
Congratulations to Wildcat Tennis, our 2023 Bi-District Champions!
College Street Project Slowly Progressing
October 10, 2023 – Homeowners and drivers on College Street in Sulphur Springs anxiously await the completion of the road work project that has been slowly progressing for more than a year. In September the Sulphur Springs Capital Construction Division installed 640 feet of storm water drainage pipe on College Street as they hope to install the remaining 600 feet of water and sewer mains all
the way to Como Street during the month of October. The city crews will move over to Holiday Drive at that point to begin a new project.
The concrete contractor, 5W Contracting has poured concrete all the way past Carter Street. When they gets to Rookson Street they will pause and tie-in all the intersections between Lundy and Rookson. Then continue East from Rookson where they will have another 1,950 feet until Como Street. The project ends at Como.
A second concrete crew is following behind the street crew. They are constructing sidewalks and driveway approaches. At the present rate the project should be finished by next July.
Senior Citizen’s Center Takes Shape
October 10, 2023 – The long anticipated Senior Citizen’s Center begins to take shape on Oak Avenue as the roofline and exterior facade are coming together. The $4 million project made possible with a $2.4 million grant, as well as bond funding that also helped complete Pacific Park. The $2.4 million grant was received back in 2022 from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The bond dollars come from Economic Development funding and will be paid back over the next 20 years.
The new Sulphur Springs Senior Center should be a huge improvement over the current facilty, as the building will be more than double in size of the less than 5,000 square feet that currently houses the senior activites. With the TDHCA grant, the new Senior Center will encompass over 11,000 square feet which will also house the local Meal-A-Day program.
Plant Potatoes Now! From Master Gardener David Wall
October 8, 2023 – Planting potatoes in the spring is usually a hit or miss action due to weather. Is the soil dry enough? Is the soil too wet? Well, if you’d like to avoid spring planting problems, including fitting potato planting in with everything else you’re doing at the time, try planting your potatoes early, like now!
You don’t hear much about fall planting any more, but 50+ years ago, fall plantings were often the rule rather than the exception, and that includes garlic and onions as well.
The big advantage to planting this time of year is that it gives the potatoes a head start for next year’s growing season. They’re going to be dormant through the winter but will start growing on their own as soon as the soil is the right temperature, usually two or more weeks before the seed potatoes you plant next spring. Also, they grow faster than spring-planted potatoes, which means an earlier harvest. If you want, the earlier harvest gives you time to plant a second round of potatoes, getting two harvests in one season.
One change in planting is the “seed” potato. Rather than using seed potatoes, use a whole potato. Seed potatoes, particularly seed potatoes that have been split to go further, tend to rot over a total winter. A complete potato will ride through the winter just fine. Small potatoes work well, but larger potatoes have more available “energy” when needed next spring. If you really want to use seed potatoes, Amazon is one of only a few sites that may have them.
After planting, a good practice is to have soil on three sides covered with 1-2” of composted manure mixed with straight compost on top, followed by 4” of mulch. Now you have plants that are provided with their own fertilizer.
Paris District Road Report for Week of October 9, 2023
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Oct. 9, 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.
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.
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. The southbound FM 1417 exit ramp to SH 56 will be closed Oct. 6-7, so crews can change the exit ramp to the new alignment.
FM 121, near Vaughan Lane, bridge over Buck Creek. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform bridge maintenance work on the bridge.
FM 120 at US 75, in Denison at the FM 120 bridge over US 75. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform bridge maintenance work on the bridge.
Randell Lake Road at US 75, in Denison at the Randell Lake Road bridge over US 75. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform bridge maintenance work on the bridge.
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, pave driveways, 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 and occasional lane closures while this work is ongoing.
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 Sunday, Tuesday, 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 691, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to FM 131. 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.
FM 901, from SH 56 to FM 902. 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.
Fannin County: SH 78, from US 82 to the Oklahoma State line. Construction on this safety improvement project begins Oct. 9. 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.
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.
FM 2077, from SH 56 to FM 1550. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 prime coated areas requiring flexbase and poured medians, monolithic curb at Live Oak Street. Forming and drainage flumes are ongoing in this area. 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 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. This contractor will perform detour work and begin backfilling soon. The contractor has begun demolition of median on the north end of I-30 intersection.
SP 302, from SH 34 to FM 499; from FM 499 to I-30; from US 69 to SH 34; from O’Neal Street to US 69. The contractor has placed work zone signs and barricades. Milling and paving operations have finished. Embankment and sidewalk work is completed. Striping of the spur has been completed. Contractor will begin seeding and vegetative watering soon. Utility work by others is ongoing in the area. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
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 five of this eight-mile project and will continue widening and cement treating the subgrade. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
CR 1032, 1031 and 2132 bridge replacement project. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor has reopened the CR 1032 and CR 2132 bridge. The contractor has begun work CR 1031. The contractor poured both abutments for the proposed bridge and placed beams at this location. Bridge deck placement and riprap will be scheduled 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. 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. FEC and ATT 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.
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