Matter of Balance Class Begins June 22, 2023
Chamber Connection – June 7 By Butch Burney
Join us for a fun and interactive Business After Hours this month at Northeast Texas Gellyball from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 15.
NET Gellyball has not only the paintball-type game but also axe-throwing and other fun activities.
Business After Hours is a great way to interact and network with other business professionals and members of the community. You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend and there is no cost.
NET Gellyball is located at 1151 South Broadway in the Spring Village Shopping Center.
Leadership Sulphur Springs
Even if you think you know Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, you are sure to learn a lot through Leadership Sulphur Springs, which is back on this year, with applications online! The leadership class is for Hopkins County men and women who want to learn and become more invested in their local community. It’s an intensive nine-month program that immerses the participants in the business and government of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The tentative dates for this year’s program are attached to the application, which can be accessed at HopkinsChamber.org.
The registration fee is $500 and that covers the cost of the food, drinks, transportation, etc. for the year.
Juneteenth Pageant
Sulphur Springs annual Juneteenth pageant will take place from 4-7 p.m. June 10, with the theme “A Night of Black Excellence” at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
The pageant has registrants from one year old to 18 years old, and both boys and girls have signed up to run,.
Tickets are $10 both in advance and at the door. Tickets can be purchased from participants or from pageant coordinators.
For tickets or further information contact: LaShan Taylor at 214-434-7212, Tish Debase at 903- 335-6980 or Nitri Adams at 903-440-4716.
Youth Summer Camp
Registration has begun for Explorer Summer Camp 2023, hosted by East End Allegiance – Our Youth in Sulphur Springs.
In collaboration with The Candle Studios, The Plant Niche, and Baked+ Brewed, this interactive camp promises to engage and inspire youth through a variety of enriching activities.
The camp sessions will kick off on July 10 and continue for the next four Mondays from 5 pm to 7:30 pm each session.
The registration fee is $60 per child, and there will be multi-family discounts to make the camp more accessible to all. Scholarships and sponsorship vouchers are available to families who may require financial assistance. For information on obtaining a scholarship, contact Program Director Bridgette Cooper at 972-802-8705 or [email protected].
SIGN-UP: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A9AD2EAAFBC43-eeaexplorers
Journey to Joy
Camp Brave Heart, a grief camp for children ages 6-12 sponsored by Cypress Basin Hospice, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 22 and 23 in Sulphur Springs. The theme is Journey to Joy: Navigating Life Together.
For more information, visit cbhospice.org.
Wedding Expo
The DIY Wedding Expo is coming back to the Civic Center from noon to 5 p.m. on Sept. 23. For more information on sponsorships or vendor spaces, contact Tracey Treadway at 214-683-7669 or [email protected].
Ribbon Cutting
The Diamond at Star E Ranch Event Venue hosted a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, June 2, at 13342 FM 1567 in the Miller Grove community. Please welcome them to the community.
Slaughter’s Barbecue hosted a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, June 30, at their new temporary location on Magnolia Street. Visit them here while the nearby restaurant is being renovated.
The Dairy Festival will have a ribbon cutting at noon Friday, June 9, on the downtown plaza. Please help us open the 2023 Dairy Festival at this event.
The Yard at the VFW will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday, June 14, at the post on 1 Veterans Drive. Please join us for this event.
Business of the Week
Hopkins County Abstract is the Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Week. See their business story and profile on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Congratulations and thanks to Hopkins County Abstract.
Ted And Donna Lyon Center For Gamebird Research Planned For Texas A&M University-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce will soon be home to an innovative gamebird research and education facility, thanks to a historic gift from alumnus Ted B. Lyon and his wife, Donna. Construction of the Ted and Donna Lyon Center for Gamebird Research at Texas A&M University-Commerce will begin in 2024.
In December 2022, the Lyons gifted $1 million to the university—the largest all-cash gift with immediate impact in university history—to support their shared passion for wildlife conservation.
Dr. Kelly Reyna, associate professor and director of the Quail Research Laboratory at Texas A&M University-Commerce, will serve as the gamebird center’s director.
He said the Lyons’ donation will support several gamebird research and education initiatives at Texas A&M University-Commerce, including separate endowments for constructing and operating the new center and funding gamebird research.
“The Lyons’ generous gift will create a world-class research facility and an endowed professorship that will position Texas A&M University-Commerce to recruit and retain high-quality faculty and provide resources to promote innovative gamebird research,” Reyna said. “Their gift will also establish the Ted and Donna Lyon Scholars program benefiting Texas A&M University-Commerce students who are committed to gamebird conservation and sustainability.”
Reyna said the research center—projected to open in early 2025—will be located 1.5 miles south of campus, “where the uplands meet the wetlands.” The center will include a state-of-the-art quail research and production facility, a wetland research station, large classrooms and meeting spaces, wetland and upland nature trails, and office space for gamebird faculty and students.
“Gamebirds are vitally important to all Americans, not just hunters,” Reyna said. “Not only are gamebirds the basis of a multi-billion-dollar hunting industry, but gamebird habitat also filters our air, cleans our water, recharges aquifers, and sequesters carbon. These basic human necessities make restoring gamebirds and their habitat a priority for Texas and the U.S.”
Ted and Donna have deep ties to Northeast Texas. Born and raised in Terrell, Texas, the high school sweethearts married after graduation. While Ted worked as a police officer, Donna worked as an executive assistant for Southwestern Bell. Their shared commitment and work ethic helped Ted earn his bachelor’s degree in political science from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce) and a Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University School of Law.
Their unrelenting stewardship of wildlife and natural spaces inspired them to create a legacy of conservation that matches the center’s mission to foster sustainable gamebird populations through innovative research, education and collaboration.
Texas A&M University-Commerce President Mark Rudin said the university is proud to partner with the Lyons to ensure future generations enjoy gamebird hunting and connecting with nature.
“It is a joy to know the Lyons and witness their genuine passion for Texas A&M University-Commerce and our students,” Rudin said. “With leaders like Ted and Donna, the university will continue to advance research that accelerates gamebird conservation across Texas and the nation. I know their generosity and passion will inspire others to join the university and contribute to the Lyon Center for Gamebird Research.”
Visit www.tamuc.edu/Quail to learn more about quail research at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Explore opportunities to support Texas A&M University-Commerce research and other initiatives at www.tamuc.edu/Giving.
Delta County Sheriff’s Searching For Car And Driver Involved In Fatal Hit-And-Run
June 6, 2023- The Delta County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a car and driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run on the morning of Monday, June 5.
The Sheriff’s office has stated that the incident occurred just after 3:30 am in the 1800 block of FM 1532, west of Antioch.
One person was, unfortunately found deceased at the scene. It was determined that the vehicle that struck the victim did not stop and left the scene.
Sheriffs stated that the vehicle parts found at the scene showed that the vehicle that struck the victim is a Nissan Altima between the years 2001 and 2005.
The department adds that the car will likely have fresh damage to its driver’s side, front bumper, and/or the driver’s side front fender area.
Anyone with information on the crash, the car or the driver, can contact the Delta County Sheriff’s Office at (903)395-2146.
16-Year-Old Hawkins High School Student Killed In Crash
June 6, 2023- A 16-year-old East Texas boy died in a car crash over the weekend.
Jaykob A. Dobb, of Hawkins, was driving south on FM 14 when his vehicle drifted across the rod’s center line and into the oncoming northbound lane, according to Texas Department of Public Safety preliminary investigation.
Dodd was pronounced dead on the scene, DPS said. He was wearing a seatbelt.
Dodd was a Hawkins ISD student, the district confirmed in a Facebook post Sunday night.
“We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Jaykob Dodd. We stand by you during this difficult time, and our hearts go out to everyone in his family and our HISD school family,” the district said.
Hawkins ISD will have counselors on hand Monday for any student and staff in need.
“Whether you need someone to talk to or just someone to listen, we are here for you,” the district said.
The middle/high school postponed summer school Monday and was set to resume the summer learning program on Tuesday.
The driver of the other vehicle, Sabino Santoy, 65, of Ore City, suffered incapacitating injuries and was transported to the hospital. Santoy’s passenger, Maria Santoy, 63, of Ore City, was also taken to the hospital but suffered non-incapacitating injuries, according to DPS. Both were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
Weather conditions were clear and roads were dry, DPS said.
Emblem Memorial Day Service is June 11th, 2023
EMBLEM MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE and cemetery meeting will be held at 11 AM Sunday, June 11th at the Emblem Cemetery Chapel on FM highway 71. Music service will be led by Danna Evans Lewis and speaker will be Virginia Craig Petty. Following the service, there will be a covered dish lunch.
New Truck Driving Students at Paris Junior College
NEW TRUCKERS
Instructor Bob Ashbreck, right, is starting a new class of future truck drivers at Paris Junior College. The students, from left, are Jenishia Crockett Ofori, Braylon Duffey, Cooper Criss, Landon Mabry and Devin Hevron.
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.
Paris District Road Report for June 5, 2023
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting June 5, 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.
Watch for a daytime lane closure on the northbound and southbound US 75 frontage roads from its intersection with South Travis Street to Park Avenue. These closures will allow work crews to perform bridge rail work in preparation of an upcoming traffic switch in this area.
Beginning on June 7, mainlane traffic will be switched from the current 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. Once the traffic switch is completed, 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.
Beginning at 7 a.m. June 6, all eastbound and westbound lanes of Park Avenue under US 75 will be closed to traffic. This closure is necessary to complete work in preparation for the mainlane detour and 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.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. June 14, traffic will be switched on the northbound and southbound mainlanes between North Travis Street and Washington Street. During this operation, northbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto a portion of the newly-constructed southbound roadway between Washington Street and North Travis Street and transition back to existing northbound mainlanes at Taylor Street. Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the newly-constructed southbound roadway north of SH 91 and transition to current mainlane alignment at Washington Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 northbound mainlanes and bridges at North Travis Street and SH 91.
The westbound US 82 exit ramp to US 75 has been permanently closed to traffic. All traffic wishing to access US 75 will take the existing Loy Lake Road exit, which will serve as the new permanent US 75 exit, too.
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.
Lamar Street and Houston Street under US 75 are closed to through traffic with detour signs in place to guide motorists around these intersections.
Eastbound Lamar Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Center Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to eastbound Lamar Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/5LrCpdOA8OQ
Westbound Houston Street traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Washington Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to westbound Houston Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/7jCatnI3Oq4
These switches will allow crews to reconstruct the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Lamar and Houston Streets. The US 75 northbound frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for northbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the northbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/y_uO0UmpCzk
For southbound US 75 the frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for southbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the southbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/k2EG2W9rFJY
US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on construction of new frontage road lanes.
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.
The annual seal coat contract to place a chip and seal treatment on the roadways in Grayson County has begun. The following roadways will receive a seal coat: FM 121 from US 377 to SH 289; SH 289 from FM 120 to SH 56; and SH 5 from US 75 to Redden Road. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 11, Grayson County: from FM 697 in Sherman to US 69 in Whitewright. Work on the pavement overlay project has begun. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers repair culverts, mill 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.
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.
US 82, Grayson County: at the Old Southmayd Road intersection. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers lengthen the existing left turn lanes on US 82 at the Old Southmayd Road intersection and add right-turn lanes.
South Travis Street, Grayson County: in Sherman at Post Oak Creek. Construction is underway for the replacement of the South Travis Street bridge over Post Oak Creek. During construction, the bridge will be reduced to one lane with traffic signals controlling traffic through the project, while the new bridge is built in phases.
Business US 377B, Grayson County: south of Whitesboro at the railroad underpass near US 377. Watch for lane closures with signals controlling traffic while crews work to upgrade the bridge railing.
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.
FS 121 (Grayson Parkway), Grayson County: from the Collin County line to FM 121. Construction is ongoing on this new-location roadway which is west of SH 289 approximately four miles. The new roadway will be two lanes with shoulders and will be an extension of the frontage road of the Dallas North Tollway. Local traffic on CR 60 (Marilee Road) and Stiff Chapel Road should expect occasional road work at those intersections, with flaggers present to control traffic. Work on FM 121 at the FS 121 intersection (formerly Scharff Road intersection) is ongoing as crews work to widen the pavement to add turn lanes. Motorists on FM 121 should expect lane shifts while crews widen the pavement and install a culvert.
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.
SH 5, Grayson County: from US 75 to SH 5. 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 289, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 120. 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.
The annual seal coat contract to place a chip and seal treatment on the roadways in Fannin County has begun. The following roadways will receive a seal coat: US 69 from the Grayson County line to the Hunt County line, and FM 409 from FM 2029 to FM 100. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 78, Fannin County: from the Oklahoma State line to FM 273. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform spot base repairs on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
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.
CR 1320, Fannin County: at the Caney Creek Bridge is closed to traffic in order for crews to replace the bridge structure and approaches.
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 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from FM 271 to FM 1743. 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.
US 69, Fannin County: at SH 121 in Trenton. 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 273, Fannin County: from Rec Road 3 to SH 78. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform culvert replacements. 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.
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 / 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.
Loop 286 at BU 271 (Clarksville Street), Lamar County: Exit ramp from southbound Loop 286 onto BU 271. Watch for temporary exit ramp closure while crews make repairs to adjacent metal beam guard fence.
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.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
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 begun. The contractor has completed performing work at night in downtown Greenville near the square due to ongoing city infrastructure repairs. Temporary striping will begin in areas that are available. Concrete and curb and gutter repairs will begin soon. Cleaning and sweeping operations are also being performed. 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 cross culvert work and culvert extensions at various locations on the project. The contractor has worked on driveway and driveway pipe. Subgrade work for the first three miles is ongoing. 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. The contractor has begun placing driveway safety ends and concrete pipe. Cross culvert work, preparation of the right of way, reworking the roadway, widening and cement treatment to the subgrade, and reworking the roadway base material has begun. 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 will begin work on CR 1031 once conditions in area are dry by preparing the right of way work and placing the detour. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30, Hunt County: Interchange Improvements: The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. Eastbound barrier placement was finished in early May. Excavation work for detours on both frontage roads has begun and some temporary pavement will begin this week. Temporary drainage for the frontage roads will begin soon. The contractor is continuing to install RFDs on the project. I-30 frontage roads are being converted to a one-way configuration. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 276, Hunt County: from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass). The contractor was able to open west- and eastbound lanes of Business SH 276 and is working on the final paving left to tie in the project with the proposed bypass. Asphalt work to finish the north and south ends of Spur 264 mill and overlay with permanent striping will begin soon. The contractor will be processing flex base, cement treat, prime, OCST and asphalt on flex base west tie-in soon. Please be aware of lane closures and changes to current traffic configuration and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 66, Hunt County: SH 66 at FM 1570, SH 34 at FM 1570. The contractor has installed signal poles and signal lights at SH 34, and FM 1570 and SH 66 intersections. Traffic signals at the following intersections have gone live: SH 34 at FM 1903, SH 34 at FM 1570, and SH 66 at FM 1570. Some sodding work has begun.
Maintenance crews for both Hunt and Rains County will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads. Rains County crews will be performing safety mowing on SH 276. Hunt County crews are addressing humps and heaves on US 380 along with ditch work on FM 2194. Both Hunt and Rains County crews are addressing potholes and roadway complaints. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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Franklin County Chipping Mill Heavily Damaged By Fire
June 5, 2023- Multiple Franklin County Crews were dispatched to a fire at a commercial chipping mill where large piles of sawdust and wood chips caught fire.
All Franklin county fire departments were dispatched to the mill fire around 12:40 am Sunday., where it was found to be a pole barn full of heavy fuel load of wood shavings and sawdust.
A total of nine fire departments contributed water and manpower to bring the blaze under control. Crews cleared the scene at about 7 a.m., noting that Hopkins County EMS assisted with rehab.
The responding departments included Purley, Mount Vernon, South Franklin, Tri-Lakes, Pickton-Pine Forest, Saltillo, Brinker, Winnsboro, and Perryville.
Fossil Fuels Got A Boost From Lawmakers Who Aim To Fix Texas’ Grid, While Renewable Energy Escaped Stricter Regulations
June 5, 2023- Texas Legislators largely ignored pleas for reform from environmental advocates during this year’s legislative session — failing to act on lowering energy use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lessening the disproportionate impact of pollution on communities of color.
At the same time, the laws they did approve try to block local attempts to control greenhouse gas emissions, eliminate tax incentives for renewable energy companies and support building more fossil-fuel-fired power plants.
Lawmakers passed a huge economic incentives package to lure companies to Texas, which included the oil and gas industry but excluded wind and solar energy companies.
Still, some significant climate and environment legislation passed: Texas will spend more than $2 billion to boost water supplies and prevent flooding, two of the most destructive climate impacts in Texas as droughts are worsened by higher temperatures and rains and hurricanes get stronger. State lawmakers also approved Bills that will buy more land for state parks and increase penalties for companies that pollute.
Energy Efficiency Proposals Fail
Politicians have mostly failed to push the state to improve energy efficiency in businesses and homes and reduce energy demand to alleviate strain on the state’s main power grid.
State Rep. Rafael Anchía, D-Dallas, argued that Senate Bill 258, which included the 1% energy efficiency goal, would have helped during the deadly 2021 winter storm that saw skyrocketing power demand push the grid close to collapse and plunged millions of Texans into darkness for days. Supporters highlighted how it would lower electricity costs and reduce emissions created by producing electricity.
The House Committee on State Affairs never voted on it.
Other ideas died with it, including one that would have offered loans or rebates for upgrading or retrofitting homes. Legislators also rejected a bill to create a Texas Energy Efficiency Council to coordinate the state’s energy efficiency approach.
Local Climate Policies Restricted
Texas Republicans passed several pieces of legislation that will tip the scales toward fossil fuels and thwart local efforts to speed the transition to renewable energy.
Senate Bill 1017 will block cities from adopting ordinances that prohibit engines based on their fuel source starting Sept. 1.
Another Bill, Senate Bill 1860, targeted a proposed “climate charter” in El Paso. Proposition K, which El Paso residents voted down in early May, would have amended the city’s charter to create aggressive renewable energy goals and make controlling carbon emissions a cornerstone of major city decisions. The Senate Bill, which is awaiting approval by the governor, would require cities to get permission from the Legislature before approving changes to their charters that purport to address climate change.
Texas Republicans continued their fight against ESG — commitments, mostly in the financial industry, to environmental, social and governance causes. Financial firms have adopted strategies in recent years that attempt to account for the negative societal costs of investing in companies that worsen climate change, use exploitative labor practices or engage in corporate corruption. Using ESG criteria typically reduces the attractiveness of oil and gas companies as an investment.
Environmental Justice Proposals Die
Frustrated Texans who live near industrial facilities took buses from Houston to the Capitol to call on lawmakers to strengthen environmental regulations on concrete batch plants — where materials like sand, water and cement for concrete are poured into mixing trucks — and other industries that tend to pollute predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. Their activism appeared to get some results with Senate Bill 1397.
Lawmakers also increased pollution penalties for industrial facilities from a maximum of $25,000 a day to $40,000 a day for major violations of state environmental regulations. They also lengthened the time the public can comment on agency matters following a Texas Commission on Environmental Quality permit hearing to 36 hours. Currently, the public can comment on permits for new plants before, during or, in some cases, after a public meeting. The Bill still needs the governor’s approval to become law.
Legislators did direct the TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, by the end of next year to study the environmental effects of installing, operating and disposing of wind, solar and battery energy infrastructure.
And a Bill that would give TCEQ authority to not investigate certain complaints against polluters was approved by the House and Senate and awaits the governor’s approval. Opponents say Senate Bill 471 discourages citizen reports of air and water pollution.
