Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Gala to be Held January 27, 2024
December 3, 2023 – Sharon (center) and Charles Helm (2nd from right) and Clarion Pointe are sponsoring the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s 18th Annual Gala to be held on January 27, 2024. Joining the Helms for a commemorative photo are John Sellers, Gala chair (left), Adam Teer, Clarion Pointe general manager (2nd from left), and Kim Sellers, Gala chair (right).
For information about the Gala visit LOLGala2024.GiveSmart.com
Paris District Road Report for Week of December 4, 2023
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Dec. 4, 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 has been reopened to traffic.
The intersection of SH 91 (Texoma Parkway) with US 75 will be closed to traffic beginning Dec. 1, to allow for construction of the new northbound US 75 overpass at SH 91. While the intersection is closed, traffic on southbound SH 91 will be able to turn right only onto the frontage road and detour to Taylor Street. Taylor Street and North Travis 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 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.
US 82, from SH 91 to FM 1417 in Sherman. Construction is expected to begin Nov. 27. During construction, 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.
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, bridge travel will be reduced to one lane while crews replace the bridge railing. Currently, the contractor is working on the westbound US 82 lanes at Harris Creek and on the eastbound lanes at Post Oak Creek. On this project, the contractor is also installing a center median concrete traffic barrier between FM 1417 and FM 131. Motorists should expect lane closures while this work is ongoing.
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.
SH 56, from US 377 to SH 289. 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.
SH 56, from FM 1417 to US 69. 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.
US 75 frontage roads, from FM 1417 to Shepherd Drive. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform spot milling on the roadway.
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.
FM 2554, from FM 273 to CR 2125. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform edge 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.
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 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 has set signal poles at Live Oak Street and placed drill shafts for signal poles at University Drive. Sidewalks and ADA ramps are being installed at various locations. Milling on the southbound SH 24 and SH 11 mainlanes is ongoing. Hotmix is being placed 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 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. The 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 has started prime coat operations and working on grading and finish work along with backfilling and ditch work. 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 signs. The contractor has begun demolition of the existing structure and will begin work on abutments. The contractor is waiting on beam fabrication; once complete, beams will be placed. 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 mainlane widening and embankment placement. Utility work is ongoing. Temporary ramps are now opened. The contractor plans to place more barriers and perform mainlane widening and drainage work in the 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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Dinner Bell Menu For December 6, 2023
The Money Law Firm and the First American Title Company will be the partner for The Dinner Bell Ministry for the sixth time in 2023 on December 6. For their commitment to this feeding ministry much praise is given.
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 on Wednesday morning starting around 10:30 a.m.
MENU
Shrimp, Sausage and Chicken Jambalaya with Rice
Cornbread Squares
Garden Salad
Kentucky Butter Poke Cake
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BY FOLLOWING SAFE HEALTH PRACTICES AS 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!!!
Adams Sentenced For Criminally Negligent Homicide
December 1, 2023 – Judge Eddie Northcutt sentenced Gerald Lee Adams to seven years in prison in connection with a vehicle crash that resulted in the deaths of four people in December 2022. Adams was involved in multi-vehicle accident on SH 19, near CR 4764, just south of Birthright. Four were killed and nine were injured. See the original story here. Adams turned himself in to authorities in August of 2023 to face four charges of criminally negligent homicide stemming from the accident. KSST News’ original report of the accident was as follows: At least four people are reported to have been killed in a 5-vehicle crash, which shut down State Highway 19 north for more than 3 hours Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. Nine others were transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment of injuries, eight with what were reported as non-incapacitating injuries and one with capacitating injuries.
The details of the accident proved to be horrific as the chain-reaction crash took the lives of four Hopkins County residents in a single vehicle. Pronounced dead at the crash site by Judge Cummings were were all four occupants in the 1998 Toyota Avalon: Celestino and Celia Reina, both 60-year-old Sulphur Springs residents; 22-year-old Maria Reina; and a 7-year-old Sulphur Springs boy, according to DPS reports. The youth was identified by Cummings as Dariel Rodriguez, reported to be the son of Maria Reina.
Sulphur Springs Closing Portion of League Street For Urgent Repairs
December 1, 2023 – Sulphur Springs Capital Construction Director, Bryan Craig, announces that a portion of League Street (from Main St to Buford Circle) will be closed starting at 7:30 am on Monday, December 4, 2023 for urgent repairs to begin on the drainage system in that area. These repairs are expected to take several weeks as the work will be extensive.
Paris Junior College Students Registering Early May Win Free Laptop
November 30, 2023 – To encourage early registration for popular classes in the Spring 2024 semester – while seats are still available – Paris Junior College is giving away 50 free laptops to eligible students, whether full- or part-time.
To be entered in the drawing, a student must have registered for Spring 2024 classes by midnight on Dec. 15, 2023. The drawing will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Winners will be notified through their student email.
The contest is not open to dual credit students taking PJC courses through their high school. Any student who withdraws from classes will also not be eligible.
All locations of Paris Junior College will be closed for Winter Break from Dec. 15, 2023 at 5 p.m. and reopen on Jan. 2, 2024. Fall commencement will take place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 in the Hunt Center.
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.
Sulphur Springs Car Club Donates to Blue Santa
November 30, 2023 – Members of the local Corvette Club braved the rain to donate $1000 to this year’s Blue Santa program. The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse along with members of the Sheriff’s office and other local law enforcement are on hand this Thursday and Friday from 7am-7pm in the Walmart parking lot to accept toys for boys and girls ages 1-14. CJ Duffey is also on hand selling Brisket Sandwich lunch for $5 with all proceeds going to Blue Santa. Sulphur Springs Corvette Club President Tim Gee presented the check to Sheriff Lewis Tatum marking another year that the local car club has opened up their checkbook to the very worthwhile charity. Gee stated, “It is important to remember the true spirit of Christmas, and do all we can to make sure every child has something under the tree this Christmas.”
Blue Santa distributes toys to over 600 kids in Hopkins County during the holidays, and this year’s need is as great as ever. Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum said, “Our officers and staff work for months leading up to Christmas on this campaign to do what they can to make sure everything is in place for these kids, but there is always a need for more donations.” New, unwrapped toys for children ages 1-14 are being accepted, as well as monetary donations. If you miss the opportunity to drive by and donate, you can still spread some Christmas cheer by scanning this QR code. You can also contact the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at (903) 438-4040.
Blue Santa Toy Drive Up And Running
November 30, 2023 – The Blue Santa Toy Drive is up and running on the south side of Sulphur Springs this morning. Even a few rain drops did not keep local law enforcement and Pastor CJ Duffey from setting up.
Blue Santa will be accepting new, unwrapped toys for boys and girls across Hopkins County Thursday and Friday this week. They will also accept monetary donations.
Pastor CJ Duffey of Color Blind Ministries will be on hand serving chopped beef sandwich lunches for $5.
To grab a lunch and make a contribution, head to the Walmart parking lot in Sulphur Springs. Look for the emergency vehicles at the northwest corner.
Texas Youth Robotics Alliance Tournament Coming to Sulphur Springs This Saturday
November 29, 2023 – Sulphur Springs Middle School will be hosting the Texas Youth Robotics Alliance (TYRA) Kickoff Tournament at SSMS on Saturday, December 2nd.
This tournament is using Peggy Reimers from TCEA’s ruleset, Hi, Bye, Pizza Pie!
In this ruleset, teams of robotics students will form random alliances with other teams to run qualifying matches that score points based on manipulating objects autonomously and with driver control to complete specific objectives. After they run 3 matches each, the top scoring teams are allowed to pick an ally to compete in a bracket, knock-out style tournament against each other, until we get a championship alliance! We run 2 divisions, Intermediate and Advanced.
Mr. Moreno’s Intro to STEM students at SSMS have been working hard to get their robots ready for this tournament, and we have teams from Clarksville, Mount Pleasant, Eustace, and Red Lick as well, with more registering all the time!
Parking Infraction Leads to Arrest For Theft
November 29, 2023 – An investigator from the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was contacted to investigate a complaint that a county resident on FM 275 was parking vehicles on his neighbor’s property.
The neighbor also reported that the vehicles were missing license plates and some parts had been removed from some vehicles. The investigator contacted the owner of the property, Jose Alonso Palacios-Esparaza, and the resident claimed ownership of the property but said a friend had placed several vehicles on his property and was unsure whether the vehicles were stolen or not.
The investigator continued his investigation by running VIN numbers and checking for other property that may be reported stolen. A John Deere tractor located on the property turned out to be reported stolen from the Dallas area and the land owner did claim ownership of the tractor so he was placed under arrest and transported to the Hopkins County Jail.
Numerous other stolen vehicles and equipment were recovered from the property as wreckers were called in to remove and impound the stolen property. Jose Alonso Palacios-Esparaza remains in the Hopkins County Jail awaiting bond to be set on the felony theft charge. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigators continue to sort out the stolen vehicles.
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.
