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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Junteenth Pageant Registrations Underway
“Reflections of Me’ Junteenth Pageant registration is currently under way through May 1st, 2024, in Sulphur Springs, Texas. There are two registration packages available. The “All In” package and the “Participant” package. Registration is open for girls age 2 to 18 years old. For more information, please contact Melony at 217-775-2219.
A Heads Up to Local Businesses from Sulphur Springs ISD and The Chamber of Commerce
January 26, 2024 – The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, and Coach Faircloth, with SSISD Athletics, wish to warn local businesses that they have come aware of outside companies contacting local businesses in an attempt to solicit money on behalf of Sulphur Springs ISD athletic department. This is a scam! The Athletic Department at Sulphur Springs ISD does NOT partner with outside companies to solicit money on it’s behalf.
Texans face a bigger burden than ever to pay rent, study finds
By Joshua Fechter, The Texas Tribune
Jan. 25, 2024 – Texas renters are under more pressure from the state’s high housing costs than ever, according to a Harvard University study released Thursday.
More than half of the state’s 4.2 million renter households spend too much of their income on keeping a roof over their heads and the lights on, a report from Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies shows.
Some 51% of Texas renters — a record 2.1 million households — are now “cost-burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. Of those, nearly 1.1 million are severely cost-burdened, meaning they put at least half of their income toward rent and utilities.
The rise in rents has left tenants with fewer dollars to spend on key household costs — like food, health care and transportation — or set aside for a down payment on a home of their own. The steep increase in housing costs has also fueled eviction filings and homelessness in the state’s major metro areas, housing advocates say.
Rents in Texas skyrocketed as the state’s population boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rent growth has since cooled as housing construction surged and higher mortgage rates tamped down demand for homes. But rents are still considerably higher than they were before the pandemic struck.
“Housing instability and housing insecurity is higher than it’s ever been,” said Ben Martin, research director for Texas Housers, a research and advocacy group. “Even as rents have stabilized, they’ve stabilized at this level that’s just completely unsustainable and unmanageable for low-income households.”
Low-income earners have borne the brunt of the rise in rents, especially as the state’s supply of cheap rental housing has dried up. Nearly 90% of the state’s renter households making $29,999 or less were considered cost-burdened, most of them shelling out more than half of their income to stay housed.
It’s been increasingly difficult for low-income households to find housing they can afford in recent years. Near the beginning of the last decade, Texas had about 753,000 housing units with rents below $600. By 2022, that number had shrunk to 452,000, driven in part by rent increases amid the state’s robust growth.
Middle-income households are facing more pressure, too. Of the state’s renter households making between $30,000 and $49,999, nearly three-quarters were considered cost-burdened. Almost 40% of renter households earning between $45,000 and $74,999 also were considered to be spending too much on rent.
Rent pressures also fall disproportionately on Black and Hispanic households, who are more likely than their white and Asian counterparts to be overly burdened by rent.
What’s more, renters no longer have the safety net weaved during the pandemic to shield them from the increasingly hostile housing market. Federal rent relief funds have all but dried up and pauses on evictions intended to keep tenants housed have expired. In addition, a boom in apartment construction in recent years has helped keep rent prices in check, but apartment builders have pulled back in recent months amid high interest rates.
“We’re going to see an increase in people paying incredible amounts of their income towards rent, doubling up and losing stable housing, facing eviction and for some facing homelessness,” Martin said.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/25/texas-housing-affordability-rent-cost-burden/.
The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
Hopkins County Records – January 2024
Daily Instrument Register For 1/2/24 Thru 1/3/24
- Jeffrey Durham and Pamela Durham to DC SS Properties LLC; Tract in the William Hooser Survey
- Chelsea Fowler and Rendon Willeford to Sheila Willieford; Tract in the William Jacobs Survey
- Casey Woodall and Michael Woodall to Judy Woodall; Tract in the U Aiguier Survey
- Lucio Rodas and Rosa Aminta Rodas to Luram Holdings LLC; Tract in the Sheffield Street Survey
- Luram Holdings LLC to Joshua Isham; Tract in the Sheffield Street Survey
- Daniel Wayne Culbertson to Alejandro Sanchez; Tract in the Daniel Fuller Survey
- Rhonda R Hightower to Lindabell Johnson and Robert Johnson; Tract in the J G Procello Survey
- Deborah Jean Attaway also known as Debra Attaway to Shelley Dennise Warren; Tract in the John Clayton Survey
Daily Instrument Register For 1/4/2024 Thru 1/5/2024
- Fely Pascua Parawan to Justin Aldridge and Lhea Aldridge; Tract in the Jose Ybarbo Survey
- ESparza Jose Ivan Rico to Cindy Rico; Tract in the Daniel Halbrooks Survey
- Lundup Sherpa and Palmu Sherpa to Angel Alfonso Valenzuela; Tract in the Smith Addition Survey
- Mary Lee Stonaker to Rickey Adams; Tract in the McCulloch Survey
- Willie Bussell and Kayla Rene Scott to Jerry Lee McCord; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- Vicki A Waters to Billy D Waters Jr; Tracts in the MG Shoemaker Survey
- Johney Ferrell to Jason Ingram; Tract in the W Lewis Survey
- Jacob R Patrick to Robin Boshears Formerly Known As Robin Boshears-Patrick, and Roger Crawford; Tract in the Nacodoches Univ Survey
Report of Marriage Documents for Hopkins County 12-22-23 Thru 1-25-24
- Ren Matthew Burns and Alison Lynn Weisenburg
- Branson Shane Ledbetter and Emilee Ann Moore
- Reginald Rashon Thomas aned Terida Ventreah Wright
- Johnny Clyde Daniels and Jeannie Marie Duffey
- Michael Duran Tillery and Linda Irene Bryant
- Eran Josiah Ramos and Diana Yesenia Rosas
- Avila Jose Ma Salas and Ana M Ramirez
- James Daniel Gill and Haley Lynn Dicken
- Zachary Knipping and Julieta Becquer
- Steven Kade Vickery and McKinsey Sue Pierson
- Christopher Ray Bearden and Jennifer Brooke Scroggins
- Eddie Joseph Delhomme and Daysie Brook Vaughn
- Juan Antonio Miramontes and Abagale Inez Steele
- Nathan Glenn Bryan and Leah Ruth-Mae Jordan
- Christopher Paul Hayes and Lindsey Diane Eubanks
- Karson Riley Wellman and Yarely Tellez
- Jonathan Thomas Gonzales and Emely Velazquez
A&M-Commerce Production of ‘The Bridges of Madison County” Postponed Until April
January 25, 2024 – COMMERCE, TX—Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Texas A&M University-Commerce Opera Ensemble’s production of “The Bridges of Madison County,” originally scheduled for January 25-28, has been postponed.
The show will now run from April 5-7. Showtimes for April 5 and 6 are 7:30 p.m., with showtime for April 7 scheduled for 3 p.m. All performances will be held inside the Jack and Lou Finney Concert Hall on the campus of A&M-Commerce.
Tickets purchased in advance for this week’s previously scheduled performances will be honored for any one of the new dates. Tickets will be available for purchase for the April performances at a later time at tamuc.edu/madison-county.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://tamuc.hometownticketing.com/embed/all?depts=8.
Texas A&M Forest Service Helps Strengthen Texas Landscapes with Prescribed Fire Grants
January 25, 2024 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas—Texas A&M Forest Service awarded 126 recipients grants to conduct prescribed burns this year. For the 2024 fiscal year, the agency has approved more than $705,000 in grant funds to private landowners in Texas with a goal to treat 25,104 acres.
With Texas lands being 95% privately owned, the responsibility of conservation lies with thousands across the state. Through prescribed fire grant programs, Texas A&M Forest Service strengthens the conservation network by providing resources and funding assistance to landowners and land managers to conduct prescribed fires.
Prescribed fire is a strategic land management tool that uses low-intensity fire on a specific area of land to achieve set goals. Prescribed fire is proven to be the most effective and efficient land management tool for decreasing the risk of catastrophic wildfires by reducing hazardous fuels.
“If forests and land are left unmanaged, the buildup of leaves, twigs and underbrush significantly increases the chances of larger, more uncontrollable wildfires in that area,” said Andy McCrady, Texas A&M Forest Service Program Coordinator. “That is why it is a top priority of ours to connect Texas landowners and managers with grant dollars and agency resources. Through our efforts with this program, more Texas land can be safely and effectively treated with prescribed fire.”
While community protection is viewed by many as the most significant benefactor of prescribed fire, other facets of Texas’ ecosystem benefit as well. Prescribed fires help create resilient landscapes; encourage the growth of native species; improve soil health; create open forest conditions that allow wildlife to travel and forage more easily; minimize the spread of pests, insects, invasive species and diseases; and give firefighters a safe place to work when wildfires occur.
“Prior to settlement in Texas, wildfires occurred naturally on the landscape,” said McCrady. “Our ecosystems relied on fires for regulation. We believe in treating our lands with prescribed fire when it is safe and relevant to do so, as we know it will restore the normal, natural and essential process for the land.”
Texas A&M Forest Service offers four grants to landowners to complete prescribed fires on private lands across the state, each with their own unique goals. Residents in the Panhandle and West Texas are eligible for the State Fire Assistance for Mitigation – Plains Prescribed Fire grant. The remaining available grants focus on East and Central Texas and include the Community Protection Program grant, State fire Assistance for Mitigation – Central and East Texas grant and Neches River and Cypress Basin Watershed Restoration Program – Prescribed Fire grant.
These grant programs reimburse landowners up to $30 per acre, for a maximum of 800 acres per recipient.
Applicants apply in the Fall and are notified of their grant award between October and December, depending on the grant. Once contracts are signed the burns are typically conducted from January through June.
“While Texas A&M Forest Service proudly conducts prescribed burns on public lands as part of our conservation education efforts, we do not conduct the burns in these grant programs,” said McCrady. “All the prescribed burns in these four grant programs are conducted by a private or commercial Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manger. The Texas Department of Agriculture oversees that licensing program in the state of Texas, and by having one of those individuals conduct the burn, it provides liability protection for the landowner and ensures best practices are being followed.
McCrady explained that most of the burn managers conducting these prescribed fires are contractors and the grant programs require them to be licensed through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager Program. This certifies that prescribed fires being conducted in tandem with this program are done so safely and take into account all ecosystem factors.
Following the burn, management goals and the ecosystem are monitored by McCrady and his team. According to McCrady, the landscape recovers quickly from prescribed burning.
“Prescribed burning in Texas is most often conducted in the winter or spring during mild weather conditions,” said McCrady. “Within a few weeks, these sites will show green shoots of new growth and by the end of the growing season native grasses, wildflowers and more palatable browse have replaced the overgrown brush and litter, all of which will increase wildlife value and make for the beautiful Texas landscape we all love.”
The Texas Longleaf Conservation Assistance Program, an additional Texas A&M Forest Service forest conservation assistance program for East Texas landowners, is now accepting proposal applications. Prescribed burning is considered a conservation method and is eligible under this grant.
For more information on prescribed burning, burning safety, benefits and more, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/PrescribedBurns/.
For more information on grants provided by Texas A&M Forest Service and partners, visit https://texasforestinfo.tamu.edu/fundingconnector/.
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Chamber Connection – January 24th
By Butch Burney
January 25, 2024 – Meetings to prepare for the April 8 eclipse are continuing at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.
We will have a meeting for all retail shops at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30; for churches at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31; for restaurants at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1; and for schools at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6.
All are invited to the meetings, as we try to prepare for the influx of tens of thousands of visitors to Hopkins County on April 8 for the total solar eclipse. We are at the 50-yard line of eclipse viewing and we need to prepare as much as possible.
We are also updating our website daily, TotalEclipseSSTx.com, so if you have any events, lodging, eats or anything you would like to promote on the website for the eclipse, please send us the information.
Banquet/Community Awards
Tickets are available, but going fast for the 97th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet that will celebrate Hopkins County with a theme of “Sweethearts,” awards and dinner on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
At the banquet, we will recognize the people and businesses who make Hopkins County the best place to live and work. We will be giving out such awards as Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Educators of the Year, Small and Large Business of the Year and others.
Social networking and a cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m., with food service at 6:30, and awards beginning at 7 p.m.
You can reserve your seat for $30 per person or get a table for 10 for $500. The tables include preferential seating and name displays, as well as video recognition at the banquet.
For more information, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
Get your bacon on at the annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Hopkins County Civic Cener. Cost is $8 per person (children under 6 eat free). It includes all you can eat pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee, milk and juice. The funds will benefit local charitable programs.
Employee Hiring and Retention
One of our former Chamber Board members, Doc Flesher, will be part of a webinar this coming Friday, Jan 26, at 2 p.m. Doc is a certified Master Business Coach and will be discussing the qualities to look for in a new hire, how to train a new hire and how to retain a great employee. The webinar will be part of a presentation on CRM for small businesses. Free registration. Here’s the link —
Pinksavvy.net/webregister
Directories
Work is finishing on the 2023 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business.
LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, is contacting businesses to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory.
The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her. If your business wants to be in the directory, please make sure your membership is current. Only current members will be included in the directory. If you’re unsure, please contact the chamber at [email protected] or by calling 903-885-6515.
Drought Loosens Grip on Texas Agriculture
Texas Crop and Weather Report – Jan. 23, 2024
January 25, 2024 – Drought continues to linger in patches of the state, but Texas agricultural producers face much better cropping outlooks going into spring, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.
Producers have been facing much better cropping outlooks for spring, but drought conditions are still covering one-third of the state. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Michael Miller)
AgriLife Extension agronomists Jourdan Bell, Ph.D., Amarillo; Reagan Noland, Ph.D., San Angelo; and Ronnie Schnell, Ph.D., Bryan-College Station, agreed that soil moisture conditions have improved compared to last year. However, they are still concerned that cropping conditions could decline without additional timely moisture, especially in drier areas.
Around 97% of the state was experiencing some level of drought on Sept. 26, 2023, with around two-thirds of Texas mired in severe to exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. As of Jan. 16, 2024, that figure had dropped to 58% of the state experiencing levels of drought with about 13% experiencing severe to extreme drought and zero areas reporting exceptional drought.
Exceptional drought is indicative of significant widespread crop and pasture losses and emergency-level water shortages in reservoirs, streams and wells.
“Ask me in a week or so after these rain systems move through,” Bell said. “Our area is projected to get 1 inch, and that would be an ideal amount to get some dry-sown wheat up and to help established fields. But we’ll definitely need more to keep the positive trend going.”
Short- and long-term weather outlook
John Nielsen-Gammon, Ph.D., Texas state climatologist and Regents Professor in the Texas A&M Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Bryan-College Station, said most of the state will receive a “good amount” of rain over the next week.
Nielsen-Gammon expects multiple storm systems could deliver drought ending moisture in areas like Central and East Texas that remain abnormally dry.
“About half the state has decent moisture, another 20% that is abnormally dry, so that leaves about one-third of the state, like Far West Texas, southern parts of the state and pockets in North and East Texas dealing with drought,” he said. “Drought in much of South Texas is related to long-term rain deficits, so for parts of the state these rains could be enough to knock that drought out, because there are a couple separate systems in the forecast. It’s just a matter of who catches conditions-altering amounts.”
The long-term outlook is not as promising, said Nielsen-Gammon. All six climate models, run by weather agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, show Texas will be drier than normal in late spring, which is the peak rainy season for most of the state.
“Having all six models forecasting the same outcome tells me there is a strong likelihood it plays out that way,” he said. “It doesn’t mean bone dry. It just means less rain than we receive during the months that rainfall typically peaks.”
Additionally, seasonal forecasts suggest summer weather patterns will be hotter and drier on average, he said.
Regional moisture, cropping conditions vary greatly
Noland said soil moisture and winter forage conditions were “OK,” but that later-planted crops like sorghum and cotton will need additional moisture to establish. He expects producers in his region to begin planting corn seeds into decent moisture within the next six weeks but suspects more rainfall will be necessary to plant other warm-season crops.
“We’re in much better shape than at this point last year because of the late fall, early winter rains,” he said. “But it’s too soon to project too much about how conditions might be by mid- to late-spring.”
San Angelo received 6.1 inches of rainfall between Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2023, compared to the 30-year average of 4.5 inches.
Some dryland winter wheat fields around San Angelo have recently shown signs of drought stress, but temperatures have been cool enough to slow moisture losses, he said. Last year, many wheat fields were “dusted in,” or planted into dry soil.
Many fields planted in that region from October-November 2022 failed to emerge or suffered a range of issues due to too little rainfall at the right time while others’ seeds remained dormant until rainfall led to germination in February. Late emergence was a setback for grain yield potential and significant setback for grazing potential.
Noland said there is some concern that the lack of heavy rainfall events to recharge regional aquifers could translate into lower irrigation capacity for crops this summer. But heavy rains in February filled aquifers to overflow last year.
Temperatures prior to recent freezes have been above normal, he said. Noland suspects some oats and other winter crops more susceptible to freeze were likely stung by recent temperatures in the low-20s and teens, but he said winter wheat should fare well.
“I guess the El Niño can get some credit for the warmer, wetter weather, but for growers it could swing either direction depending on the weather between now and planting,” he said.
More rain could change outlooks
Bell said the El Niño impact has been minimal in the Panhandle. Some areas have decent moisture, while others are very dry. She reported similar wheat conditions, including dry-sown fields that have yet to receive rainfall and fields that received enough moisture to germinate but then failed. Irrigated fields are variable. Irrigated wheat in the Northern Panhandle looked good, but in some areas the lack of sufficient irrigation capacity has limited winter forage production.
Much of the Panhandle received heavy rains last May with amounts ranging up to 20 inches, she said. Some areas received more than 11 inches in two hours as multiple storm systems moved through the region.
But while the flash rain events set rainfall records and created heavy runoff, Bell believes those events did not help the soil moisture profile like slower, steadier rainfall might have.
“By late August and September, a lot of our fields were dry,” she said. “The 100-plus degree days, and I just don’t think we received good subsoil moisture from previous heavy rains. We’ve received some rainfall and some snow since then, but it was very little, and we have not recorded any rainfall so far this calendar year.”
Schnell said moisture conditions in East Texas down to the coastal areas vary. Some areas in northeast and southwest parts of those regions have zero drought while central and southeastern areas are in abnormally dry to severe drought conditions, according to the drought monitor. Large swaths of Jasper, Newton and Sabine counties have moved from exceptional drought in September to extreme drought as of Jan. 16.
The forecasted rains could improve conditions in those regions, he said.
“The seven-day forecast suggests good chances of rain from Interstate 35 east and south, and hopefully those areas short on moisture can pick up some significant amounts,” he said. “That would make me a little more optimistic that things will be set up nicely for planting.”
Plan for the worst, hope for the best
Schnell said most Texas farmers should be optimistic at this point. Bell and Noland agree growers should be more optimistic than this time last year.
It would be ideal for soil moisture to improve going into planting, they said, adding they hope growers are able to take advantage of available moisture, plant as early as possible and manage their crops efficiently and effectively.
“Input prices have fallen somewhat, but so have market prices, so planning ahead to optimize fertility and control weed and insect pests to give the crop the best chance possible for yield,” Schnell said. “Last year was very dry, but areas of South and Central Texas had the best corn in years. Sometimes that drier pattern, if we get timely rains, it can change an outlook quickly.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
CENTRAL
The region experienced consistent below-freezing temperatures, but most counties also received adequate rain, providing some drought relief. A few counties reported needing additional rain to relieve extreme drought conditions and replenish stock tanks and natural bodies of water. Native pastures were in fair condition, with some counties reporting a die-off of various weeds and trees due to extreme temperatures. There were some reports of prolific weed pressure in neglected pastures. Fieldwork halted due to freezing temperatures but was quickly back underway when the weather permitted. Wheat and oats were considered good quality, although growth has slowed, and producers expected to see some freeze damage. The carinata crop planted in early fall and into December was substantially freeze-damaged and not expected to survive. Hessian fly larvae continued to be observed in wheat varieties. Supplemental feeding was being carried out for all classes of livestock, and livestock were in fair condition.
ROLLING PLAINS
The region experienced record-level low temperatures, with areas dipping into negative digits with wind chill factors. Producers were busy thawing water or breaking ice while supplementing hay and feed for livestock. There were some reports of lost calves due to cold and predation. Yearling cattle on wheat pastures looked to be in good condition.
COASTAL BEND
Dry conditions persisted, with soil moisture remaining low. Extreme cold temperatures and wind impacted farming operations. Some fieldwork was underway in preparation for corn and rice planting. Rangeland and pastures suffered from the cold spell, which affected perennial forages. The freezing temperatures caused some cattle to lose some condition, but supplemental and hay feeding allowed them to regain their condition. The market held strong despite challenges, fostering optimism for the upcoming season.
EAST
Frigid temperatures hit the district, with some areas reporting temperatures as low as 9 degrees while others reported temperatures in the teens. The cold and ice resulted in several problems for producers. Supplemental feed and hay amounts were increased drastically, and producers were breaking ice to keep water available for their herds. Winter gardens and forages were set back by the weather as well. Several cattle markets were closed due to weather conditions.
SOUTH PLAINS
Although subsoil and topsoil conditions were on the mend, rainfall was still needed to keep that moisture for wheat growing. Producers were counting on the moisture from last week’s freeze to help grow the plants that survived. Producers were making decisions on this year’s planting season. Cattle were reported to be in good condition.
PANHANDLE
The Panhandle region remained extremely dry. Temperatures were in the single digits, with the wind chill below zero. There was no farming activity. The cold weather increased the amount of supplemental cattle feeding to help maintain body condition and meet energy requirements. Labor increased as ice had to be broken on tanks to supply water to cattle. Overall, soil conditions were reported as ranging from adequate to very poor. Pasture and rangelands were reported to be fair to very poor. Winter wheat was reported as fair to poor.
NORTH
The district experienced lower temperatures than usual last week. Topsoil moisture ranged from adequate to short. Producers were planting oats and anticipating wet conditions. Livestock producers increased supplemental and hay feeding for their herds as the lower conditions have stunted their winter conditions.
FAR WEST
Temperatures remain below average, with nighttime temperatures dropping below 20 degrees and daytime temperatures rising to the mid-40s. The district received a slight mist and little precipitation. The strong winter storm that affected much of the state had only a brief hold on the Big Bend region, with temperatures dropping into the single digits overnight. Rangeland conditions remained steady, and soil moisture remained short to adequate. The grass was dormant, and pastures remained extremely bare except for a few winter weeds, which livestock consumed quickly. Livestock were in fair condition as producers continued supplemental and hay feeding and ensured they had access to water. Cotton has been harvested and most pecans have been harvested, although some pecan orchards were late harvesting. Ground preparation was in progress.
WEST CENTRAL
Light snow and rain were scattered across the district and accompanied by frigid temperatures, with three days below freezing. Soil conditions remained steady, but moisture was appreciated as it was received. Small grain fields were set back due to the freezing conditions. Wheat and oat pastures were struggling and in dire need of rain for cool-season annuals and native grasslands. The polar vortex challenged livestock producers who were feeding and busting ice for their livestock. Supplemental and hay feeding increased in response to the cold weather. Despite the freezing temperatures, cattle and wildlife were in decent condition.
SOUTHEAST
The arctic blast swept across the district, delaying the production of winter pastures. Producers continued supplemental and hay feeding and busting ice to ensure access to water for their cattle herds. Surface water was extremely low and affected the production of crawfish producers.
SOUTHWEST
The arctic weather blast brought temperatures below freezing for 48 hours. Light moisture was received from ice and sleet during the freeze, but it was inadequate for proper irrigation. Small grains were thriving, but winter weeds and short annual grass hindered pastures. Producers were preparing for corn and milo planting. Producers continued supplemental and hay feeding for their cattle herds. Wildlife activity increased with the cooler temperatures.
SOUTH
Freezing temperatures and a slight drizzle were received throughout the district last week. Turf producers were continuing harvest. Wheat and oat producers continued planting, and some crops have already emerged. Strawberry producers were monitoring the cold weather and loss of blooms and berries. Forage producers applied pest control around their crops and prepared fields for the spring growing season. The condition of beef cattle and wildlife decreased due to the lack of vegetation from the drought and freeze, leading producers to increase hay and supplemental feeding.
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WRITTEN BY
Laura Muntean
Adam Russell
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