Hopkins County Genealogical Society will Hold a Lunch & Learn September 27th
September 24, 2023 – The Hopkins County Genealogical Society invites members and nonmembers who want to learn more about doing genealogical research to join them on Wednesday, September 27th. Bring your sack lunch, salad, or drive-through meal and meet with the Genealogical Society from 12:00PM to 1:00PM at the genealogy library, 611 N. Davis St., Sulphur Springs, TX. Coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
This month during “Lunch & Learn”, Carol Ann Dixon will be presenting the fourth part in Hopkins County Genealogical Society’s series’ using Family Search entitled, Digital Library and Other Features.
Please join Carol Ann as she navigates through this topic. You’re welcome to bring your laptop.
Cooper Lake Celebrates 100 Years of Texas State Parks
September 24, 2023 – Celebrate 100-Years of Texas State Parks at Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur on October 7th!
Sulphur Springs, TX— 100-Years of Texas State Parks is something to celebrate! Texans slowly began recognizing the value of resource conservation in the 1920’s; and at the same time, suddenly people had cars, paved roads to drive on, and destinations to explore. In 1923, Pat Neff, the governor of Texas, appointed a Texas State Parks Board to begin locating sites for the establishment of Texas’ very own state parks. Governor Neff said, “Texas is rich and diversified in climate, in scenery of natural beauty, and in the variety of its native plant and animal life…ideal for the location of public parks and recreational centers.” Well, the rest is history, 100-years of Texas State Parks history to be exact! Our Texas State Parks conserve the landscapes that makes Texas, TEXAS! Come see and explore our natural wonders numbering 88 state parks, and growing!
Cooper Lake State Park is hosting a free event in honor of this momentous occasion. On October 7th, a daylong event titled, “Legends, Lore, and Legacy” will fill the day and night with family fun, recreation, and education. The morning programs will include programs on the “Native American Fall Harvest”. Where did the millions of people in North America find their food? “Fishing with a Ranger” program is a park favorite. We will provide visitors with fishing gear, bait, and instruction. Yes, you can keep your catch! “The Buffalo Soldiers” will present a program educating everyone on Texas circa the late 1800’s and early 1900’s from the perspective of black army soldiers – Buffalo Soldiers. These brave men served our country and helped mold our Texas of today. “Prehistoric Pottery Making” will be one of the center pieces of the day’s programming. Learn how native Americans made vessels for cooking, carrying, and storing essential items. “Blue Birds” will be an educational program on this most amazing, beautiful creature. “Horse Shoeing Demo” will be enlightening for many visitors. Before Goodyear and Michelin tires, we had horseshoes to aid in transportation. Witness the art and science of shoeing a horse. “Backyard Bass” will help kids and adults hone their casting skills. “Gyotaku” a traditional form of Japanese art will be held. Release your inner artist and learn about this unusual art form. In addition, the morning programs will include Boater Education and Angler Education displays. The park will also host a booth on the local area’s history. A scavenger hunt that will last all day titled, “What’s in a Name” will direct happy visitors across the park exploring and discovering knowledge.
The park will host an evening list of programs starting at 7:30pm. These will include a program on historic and native American stories just perfect for the night. At intermission, we will roast s’mores! Follow us on a guided “Creatures of the Night, Night Hike” through the dark October woods. “Stargazing and Moongazing” will happen under the heavens led by Ranger Alicia as your celestial adventure guide. And don’t forget, in honor of 100-Years of Texas State Parks entrance fees are waived!
Cooper Lake State Park is just one of 88 Texas State Parks open and ready to host your next outdoor adventure. Let’s get out there and experience a natural Texas! Happy 100 -Year Anniversary to Texas State Parks!
For more information on this or other events and programs, please visit and like our Facebook pages Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur (903-945-5256), and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctor’s Creek (903 395-3100) and visit our Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.
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The Hopkins-Rains Hay Show is Soon on the Way
September 24, 2023 – The Hopkins-Rains Hay Show is soon on the way for those who want to learn more about the quality of their hay. The goal of the hay show is to provide agricultural producers an opportunity to test the quality of their forages and raise scholarships funds for area youth who want to study agriculture.
Hay samples will be accepted from Monday, September 25th through Friday, September 29th. In Hopkins County, the samples can be dropped off at the Hopkins-Rains Soil & Water Conservation District located at 530 N. Hillcrest, Suite 2. In Rains County, the samples can be dropped off at the Agrilife Extension Office located at 410 Tawakoni Drive in Emory.
The Soil and Water Conservation district will host a BBQ lunch at 11:30 at the Civic Center in Sulphur Springs on Thursday, October 26th. The top 10 lots will be auctioned off to the highest bidders. All proceeds and donations to the show are tax deductible.
For more information, please contact the Hopkins-Rains Soil and Water Conservation District at 903/885-4433 ext. 3.
Paris District Road Report for week of September 25, 2023
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Sept. 25, 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.
US 75, Grayson County: 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 turn right 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.
Lamar Street and Houston Street under US 75 were reopened to through traffic on Sept. 18. Watch for one lane closures along Houston Street and Lamar Street while crews complete storm drainage work.
US 75, Grayson County: 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, Grayson County: 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.
SH 91 at Spur 503, Grayson County: in Denison at the SH 91 bridge over Spur 503. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform bridge maintenance work on the bridge.
FM 121, Grayson County: 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, Grayson County: 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, Grayson County. 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, Grayson County: 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, Grayson County: 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, Grayson County: 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, Grayson County: 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.
SH 78, Fannin County: 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, Fannin County: 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, Fannin County: 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, Fannin County: 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, Fannin County: 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 1743, Fannin County: from US 82 to SH 56. 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 2077, Fannin County: 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.
I-30, Franklin County: 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, Franklin County: at I-30 N Frontage Road. Watch for single lane closures and delays as crews install traffic signal.
FM 900, Hopkins County: 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.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to Texas-Oklahoma state line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews perform bridge maintenance.
FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.
Loop 286, Lamar County: 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, Lamar County: 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.
Loop 286 at FM 79, Lamar County: State Loop 286 westbound exit ramp at FM 79. Watch for ramp closure while crews place a bonded concrete surface and perform asphalt paving operations.
Loop 286 / US 271 South Interchange, Lamar County: from Dawn Drive going south to the North Loop 286 turn around. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, and traffic merges while crews improve guardrail and perform bridge maintenance.
FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 2675, Delta County: from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
BU 271 (North Main Street), Lamar County: from Santa Fe Street to one-quarter mile north of Stone Avenue. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews install sidewalk
US 82, Lamar County: at the FM 1502 intersection. Watch for temporary lane closures, and traffic and lane shifts as crews widen the roadway to install a left-turn lane and improve drainage structures.
Cedar / Church Street (Clarksville, Texas), Red River County: at the intersection of Cedar and Church Street in Clarksville, Texas. Watch for road closure while crews remove and replace the existing bridge.
FM 410, Red River County: From US 82 to FM 3281. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews install sidewalk and improve drainage.
FM 1507 (Jefferson Rd), Lamar County: from SH 19 to 0.8 MI North of Loop 286. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews install sidewalk.
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.
FM 2068 at E Fork Jernigan Creek, Delta County. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
CR 26320 at Morrison Creek, Lamar County. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
CR 2127 at Scatter Creek, Red River County. 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.
SH 11: Hunt County (From Culver St to Live Oak). The contractor has placed work zone signs and barricades. The contractor has placed geogrid and flexbase for the roadway widening and turn lane at the intersection of SH11 and Culver Street. Work on curb and gutter and drainage flumes is ongoing. 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. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2642: Hunt County (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 week the contractor will perform detour work and backfilling. The contractor has begun demolition of median on the north end of I-30 intersection.
SP 302: Hunt County (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. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2946, Rains County (From FM 515 to FM 2795): Contractors have set barricades and work zone traffic signs. The contractor is performing prime coat work currently and will schedule a ride test soon. Temporary striping in this section and subgrade widening on the next two miles will begin soon. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2649, Hunt County (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 has finished placing prime coat on areas near the beginning of the project. The contractor has begun work on the next two miles, flex base, geogrid subgrade widening are ongoing. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
CR 1032, 1031 and 2132 bridge replacement project, Hunt County. 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, they are currently preparing the ROW and preparing to demo the existing bridge. The contractor poured both abutments for the proposed bridge this week and will be awaiting cure time. 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, Hunt County. The contractor has set barricades and work zone signage. 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 (From Monte Stratton to FM 1903), Hunt County: Interchange Improvements: The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor will be excavating for I-30 main lanes, watering temporary seeding and maintaining erosion control devices. The frontage road speed reduction signs and low-profile traffic barrier on frontage roads have been installed. Temporary ramp & detour striping, mainlane embankment and barrier placement will be ongoing. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews for both Hunt and Rains County will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads. Both sections have been working on bridge maintenance projects throughout Hunt and Rains Counties. Herbicide operations are ongoing throughout the counties.
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Twig Girdler Beetles are Back From Master Gardener David Wall
Twelve or so years ago, a local rancher brought in a small twig and had a question. He couldn’t figure out how the twig, had a girdling circle cut nearly all the way through it. Further examination confirmed the perfect girdling circle. Finally, someone with more experience recognized the damage being caused by a twig girdler beetle. They haven’t been a real problem since then until now. I’m currently losing 4-6 twigs a week,
A twig girdler beetle (Oncideres pustulatus LeConte) is a small (.5”-.75”) beetle in our area that does its work during the August to October Time period. There are several girdlers named after the species they attack. In our area, however, the common name is used as the beetles like oak, pecan, hickory, hackberry, elm, honeylocust, dogwood, and other hardwood species.
A female beetle selects a small twig up to roughly the size of a pencil, girdles it, lays an egg under the bark and then moves on. In the tree or on the ground, the egg hatches, and the beetle larva overwinters in the twig. Where is dependent on what you do with the twig, such as leaving it alone, moving it to a burn pile, or putting in trash. Next July, the new adult emerges to start the cycle all over again.
So, how do we control this pest? The best way is to stop the repeating cycle. When you notice damage, your first step in controlling them should be a thorough clean-up of the yard. If you pick up and dispose all the twigs on the ground beneath trees that have been attacked, you are affecting twig girdler control. Many of the twigs you destroy will contain eggs or larva. Removing the fallen twigs is by far the best way toward eliminating the problem.
Dinner Bell Menu For September 27, 2023
Money Law Firm and 1st American Title Company is sponsoring its fifth meal for the year of 2023. The Dinner Bell Ministry deeply appreciates the support of this entity in helping alleviate food insufficiency in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
GRAB and GO with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Mexican Lasagna
Seasoned Pinto Beans
Garden Salad with Guacamole Ranch Dressing
Tortillas
Sopapilla Cheesecake
BE CAREFUL AS COVID AND THE FLU ARE STILL IN OUR MIDST! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!!!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
Paris Junior College Sends Seven to 2023 All Star Game
Breaking all recent records, the Paris Junior College baseball program is sending seven players to the Texas New Mexico Junior College All Star Game being played Friday and Saturday, September 22-23, at Dallas Baptist University.
“We’re excited for this group,” said PJC Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Clay Cox, “they obviously had a strong freshman year and that’s why they’ve been selected to play in the All Star game by the coaches across the conference. It’s our largest group in the time we’ve had here. This is a group that looks to go out and compete and show well for us.”
The sophomores representing PJC are pitcher Carson Blakely of Hallsville; infielder/outfielder Jackson Braun of Spring; infielder Preston Gamster of Dallas; infielder Ethan Guerra of Olathe, Kansas; pitcher Caleb Jameson of Paris; pitcher Garrett Villa of La Porte; and outfielder Ashten Wong of Frisco.
PJC will play for the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIV East team at Dallas Baptist University against Region 5 West at 12:30 p.m. Friday and against Region 5 North at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The games will be streamed on https://tsbnsports.com/. To see more information on PJC’s six athletic teams, go to www.parisjc.edu/athletics.
Photo cutline:
PJC baseball is sending seven sophomores to play in the TXNMJC All Star game this week. From left are Ashten Wong, Jackson Braun, Caleb Jameson, Garrett Villa, Carson Blakely, Preston Gamster, and Ethan Guerra.
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.
Operation of Joint Community Recycle Center Located at A&M-Commerce has Ceased
Effective immediately, operation of the joint Community Recycle Center located on the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus has come to an end.
According to a university press release, along with information obtained from Commerce City Hall, the reasons behind the decision include the rising costs of the program, the limited effectiveness stemming from misuse of the recycled collection bins, and a general lack of education with regard to how the recycling program was meant to function.
Non-recyclable material was regularly deposited in the bins, leading to a great deal of effort to separate the material, when possible, and sometimes to the labeling of the bin as “contaminated” by the recycling contractor, preventing the recycling of the bin’s contents.
Operation of the recycling center, located on campus lot 16 (at the corner of Campbell and Walnut streets in Commerce,) had been assisted by Commerce Cares Recycling, a volunteer group unaffiliated with A&M-Commerce, but opted to end their efforts in 2020 after months struggling to, “clean up after citizens who fail to follow recycling guidelines,” according to a campus news article from June of that year.
The press release shares that alternate recycling options for Commerce residents include the Walmart in Sulphur Springs, which recently introduced a Community Recycling Unit that accepts specific plastic, paper, and aluminum items.
November 7; Prop 9 Yes or No?
September 21, 2023 – Texas voters will have a chance to vote on several issues this fall. There are 14 constitutional amendments on the ballot. Proposed Amendment 9, or Prop 9, deals specifically with cost-of-living adjustments for some retired Texas Teachers and their beneficiaries.
Prop 9 would provide for cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for certain annuitants, who meet criteria provided by law, of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Annuitants are persons who receive service retirement benefits, disability retirement benefits, or death benefits from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
Prop 9 is widely supported by Teachers and Teacher Unions. Funds will be taken from the Texas Budget Surplus and added to the pension funds. This means that the measure should not directly increase taxes. Money given to qualified retired teachers could also be spent locally and therefore could be considered a economic stimulus.
Those who do not support the amendment point out that the approximately 5 billion dollars proposed cash transfer does not directly go to help alleviate the massive teacher shortage affecting Texas Public Schools.
Early voting will begin in October and Election day will be November 7, 2023.
Governor Abbott Orders Special Session for School Choice
September 21 – Gov. Greg Abbott stated his long-awaited special session on “school choice” will start in October while promising political consequences for lawmakers who stand in the way of his priority legislation.
Lawmakers have expected the special session to start in October for a while, but this is the most specific Abbott has been about the timing yet. And his blunt statements on the politics mark an escalation of pressure on Republicans in the Texas House who have been a roadblock to the proposal.
Abbott entered this year more determined than ever to pass “school choice,” a proposal to let parents use taxpayer dollars to take their children out of public school. The idea has long experienced resistance in the House, where a coalition of Democrats and rural Republicans have blocked it.
When the regular session ended, Abbott vowed to call multiple special sessions on unfinished business, including school choice. Divisions between the House and Senate have only enhanced since then.
