Paris District Road Report For Dec. 20-31, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district from Dec. 20-31, 2021. 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.
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.
- Interstate 30 in Hopkins County: From the Hunt County Line to the Franklin County Line watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform concrete repair.
- State Highway 37, Franklin County: From the elementary school to US Highway 67 watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install sidewalk.
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 closures while crews resurface the roadway.
- US Highway 271, Red River County: From SH 37 to Titus County Line, watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway.
- FM 906, Lamar County: From FM 2648 to CR 47400, watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
- 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.
- FM 195, Red River County: From the Lamar County line to SH 37, watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and replace bridge rail.
- FM 1487, Red River County: From FM 909 to FM 910, watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
- US 82, Red River County: From FM 1159 to the Bowie County line, watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas as final work is being performed.
- Loop 286, Lamar County: From FM 1497 around the North Loop to FM 1507, watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures.
- 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.
- US 82, Red River County: From FM 44N to FM 44S, watch for temporary shoulder closures while crews construct safety lighting.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
- Sidewalk and Curb Ramp Project (several counties): The contractor has set barricades at the Wolfe City, Texas, location. This project will improve pedestrian sidewalks and construct ADA-compliant curb ramps at these locations: Hunt County, SH 34 at Crockett Street to SH 34 at FM 816 in Wolfe City. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
- FM 903, Rains County: From US 380 to FM1560, the contractor set barricades and bulletin boards on Dec. 13. The contractor will begin preparing right-of-way on Dec. 20.
- FM 275, Rains County: From SH 19 to FM 514, the contractor has set barricades and plans to begin preparing the right-of-way soon. The contractor has reworked base material and widened subgrade from Lake Fork Creek to the north for one mile, graded out and prepared for new flex base, and begun hauling base material. The contractor has demolished the bridge and will continue placing flex base on the first mile. Drill shaft installation has begun and five shafts have been completed. Please be aware of lane closures, detours, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
- SH 276, Hunt County: From FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass), the contractor has placed project barricades and has prepared and cleared the right-of-way. Preliminary embankment, excavation, and bridge work has begun with all shafts being completed. This work should not affect existing traffic on SH 34 or SH 276. Roadway construction affecting closures on Spur 264 has begun, this work will affect through-traffic between Meyers Avenue to County Road 2304. Weekend work is to be expected. Please be aware of lane closures and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
- FM 1566, Hunt County: From FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34, the contractor is completing mile six of this seven-mile project and is currently reworking the subgrade and bringing in flex base, placing geogrid and compacting areas for roadway rehabilitation and widening. Please be aware of lane closures and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
- Maintenance crews in Hunt County will be performing seal coat preparation on FM 512 north of I-30 at various locations and overlaying on FM 499 at various locations. Crews will be performing potholing at various locations in Hunt County. Maintenance contract crews will be performing debris removal on I-30 and guard rail repair at various locations around Hunt County. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
- Maintenance crews in Rains County will be performing seal coat prep work on SH 34 from SH 276 to the Kaufman County line. Crews will be performing various sign installations, potholing, edging, and debris removal. Maintenance crews will be performing herbicide operations on various roadways. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway, and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Thursday night. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete. 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.
- FM 1753, Grayson County: From FM 120 to FM 1897, construction will begin on this rehabilitation project on January 3, 2022. Traffic can expect daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and then overlay the roadway.
- FS 121 (Grayson Parkway), Grayson County: From the Collin County line to FM 121, construction is ongoing on this new-location roadway. 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.
- 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. The northbound Washington Street exit ramp is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Lamar/Houston Street exit. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 main lanes has been set for this construction project.
- Northbound and Southbound US 75 main lane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road near West Staples Street and transitions back to the existing main lanes near West Cherry Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 main lanes and the bridge over Center Street. Within this area, the US 75 frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while US 75 main lane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both main lane and frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers.
- All eastbound and westbound lanes of Center Street under US 75 are closed to traffic. To detour, eastbound Center Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Park Avenue, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Center Street. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Houston Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Center Street.
Video animations of the northbound US 75 main lane traffic switch and Center Street detour can be viewed below or online:
Northbound US 75 main lane traffic switch:
Southbound US 75 main lane traffic switch:
Detour for the Center Street closure at US 75:
- Northbound and Southbound US 75 main lane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road from just north of Houston Street and transitions back to the existing main lanes south of North Travis Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 main lanes and the bridge over Washington Street. Within this area, the US 75 frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while US 75 main lane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both main lane and frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers.
- All eastbound and westbound lanes of Washington Street under US 75 are closed to traffic. This closure is necessary to complete work in preparation of the main lane detour. To detour, eastbound Washington Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Lamar Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Washington Street. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on North Travis Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Washington Street.
Video animations of the northbound US 75 main lane traffic switch and Washington Street detour can be viewed below or online:
Northbound US 75 main lane traffic switch:
Southbound US 75 main lane traffic switch:
Detour for the Washington Street closure at US 75:
- US 75, Grayson County: At the US 82 intersection, watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between North Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lanes shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews perform bridge construction. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on bridge construction and construction of new frontage road lanes.
- The westbound US 82 exit ramp for Loy Lake road is currently closed for crews to work on widening the US 82 frontage road. Traffic wishing to access Loy Lake Road is requested to take the SH 91 exit ramp (# 643), or the US 75 exit ramp.
- 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 are working to 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.
- FM 121, Grayson County: From Jim Jones Road to FM 3356, watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to a portion of the new concrete pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section consisting of concrete pavement when the project is completed.
- US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line, watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
- US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
- 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 and Wednesday during the nighttime.
- FM 697, Grayson County: From US 69 to FM 2729, watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a fog seal to the roadway.
- At Bethany Road near FM 1417, Grayson County: From FM 1417 to end of state maintenance, watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs on the roadway.
- FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: From FM 1897 to SH 78, watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- SH 34, Fannin County: From FM 64 to FM 1550, watch for occasional daytime lane closures as workers build the new SH 34 bridge over the future Lake Ralph Hall.
- FM 1552, Fannin County: From SH 78 to County Road 3710, watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- 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 County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
- US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow-moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided roadway. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement for the entirety of the project from the Lamar County line to SH 121. Eastbound traffic between SH 121 and the Lamar County line has been opened to two lanes. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews complete the remaining work.
P&G Issues Voluntary Recall of Aerosol Dry Conditioner, Shampoo Spray Products
CINCINNATI — The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) Friday issued a voluntary product recall to the consumer level of aerosol dry conditioner spray products and aerosol dry shampoo spray products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, and Waterless produced in the United States, in addition to previously discontinued aerosol dry shampoo products from Old Spice and Hair Food, due to the presence of benzene detected in some products.
Risk Statement: Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life-threatening. Based on exposure modeling and the cancer risk assessments published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (IRIS database), daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products at the levels detected in our testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences. Benzene is ubiquitous in the environment. Humans around the world have daily exposures to it indoors and outdoors from multiple sources. To date, The Procter & Gamble Company has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall and is conducting this recall out of an abundance of caution.
Detailed instructions for how to request a reimbursement for eligible products can be found below. The affected products are packaged in aerosol cans. See table below for images, product names, UPC and production code ranges. Refer to the image attached for guidance on where to find the production code details on the bottom of the can. The first four numbers of the production code are the only ones necessary to determine if your product is impacted and falls within the ranges outlined.
The aerosol dry conditioner spray products impacted are:
| Production Code Ranges (to determine if product is in scope of recall) | Description | UPC |
|---|---|---|
| in the range of 0002-0248 or 9298-9350 | Waterless Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, 3.6oz. | 37000543954 |
| in the range of 0009-0069 or 9297-9350 | Waterless Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, 3.6oz. | 37000543831 |
| in the range of 0084-0085 or 9284-9361 | Waterless Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, .98oz. | 37000544111 |
| in the range of 0017-0100 or 9283-9284 | Waterless Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, .98oz. | 37000544227 |
| 0038 | Pantene Sultry Bronde All in One Luxury Mist, 4.9oz. | 80878188710 |
| in the range of 0183-0365 or 1042-1046 | Pantene Smooth Talker Dry Conditioning Oil, 3.9oz. | 80878192397 |
| in the range of 0048-0336 or 1008-1218 or 9247-9349 | Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9oz. | 80878190898 |
| in the range of 9108-9303 | Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9oz. | 80878188758 |
| in the range of 0107-0262 or 9112-9288 | Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 1.0oz. | 80878188765 |
| in the range of 0307 or 9263-9266 | Pantene Gold Series Instant Nourishing Spray, 4.9oz. | 80878188987 |
| 0021 or 1038 or in the range of 9294-9325 | Aussie Smooth Vibes Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz. | 381519187957 |
| in the range of 9196-9246 | Aussie Petal Soft Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz. | 381519187544 |
| in the range of 0014-0062 or 9198-9349 | Aussie Sleekend Warrior Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz. | 381519187537 |
| in the range of 9047-9072 | Herbal Essences Blue Ginger Refresh Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 190679001498 |
| in the range of 0015-0314 or 1004-1019 or 9028-9348 | Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 190679000262 |
| in the range of 0167-0308 or 1105-1106 or 9049-9348 | Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 190679000255 |
| 0093 or 1075 or in the range of 9029-9294 | Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 190679000248 |
| in the range of 0036-0329 or 1019-1098 or 9023-9312 | Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 1.7oz. | 190679000330 |
| in the range of 9009-9058 | Pantene Dry Shampoo No Water Refresh, 4.9oz. | 80878177042 |
| in the range of 9025-9260 | Pantene Dry Shampoo Sheer Volume, 4.9oz. | 80878185276 |
| in the range of 0006-0364 or 1074-1133 or 9157-9329 | Pantene Never Tell Dry Shampoo, 4.2oz. | 80878188727 |
| in the range of 0139-0140 | Aussie After Hours Dry Shampoo Texture Spray, 4.9oz. | 381519187834 |
| in the range of 0013-0300 or 1038 or 9189 | Aussie Tousle Hustle Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 381519187285 |
| in the range of 0013-00357 or 1018-1123 or 9189-9345 | Aussie Bounce Back Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 381519187278 |
| in the range of 9047-9123 | Aussie Clean Color Protect Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 381519187360 |
| in the range of 9072-9176 | Aussie Clean Texture Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 381519187285 |
| 9085 | Aussie Clean Volume Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 381519187278 |
| in the range of 0004-0357 or 9291-9344 | Waterless Dry Shampoo No Residue, 3.7oz. | 37000543787 |
| in the range of 0175-0176 or 9295-9297 | Waterless Dry Shampoo No Residue, 1oz. | 37000543978 |
| in the range of 0027-0192 or 9007 | Hair Food Coconut Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 37000876717 |
| in the range of 9046-9228 | Old Spice Fiji Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 37000779421 |
| in the range of 9040-9239 | Old Spice Pure Sport Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. | 37000785170 |
Following recent reports that indicated traces of benzene in some aerosol spray products, we began a review of our total portfolio of aerosol products. While benzene is not an ingredient in any of our products, our review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can. We detected benzene in aerosol dry shampoo spray products and aerosol dry conditioner spray products. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the consumers who use our products and the quality of the products we ship.
No other products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Hair Food, and Waterless are in the scope of this recall and such other products may continue to be used as intended, including those aerosol dry shampoo spray products with production code ranges different from those specifically communicated. The vast majority of our products are not part of this recall, including mousses, hairsprays, liquid shampoos, liquid conditioners, styling products, treatments, and unaffected aerosol dry shampoo sprays.
The recalled products were distributed nationwide in the United States through retail outlets and online. Retailers have been alerted to remove recalled products from shelves. Our brands will also offer reimbursement for consumers who have purchased products impacted by this recall. Consumers should stop using and appropriately discard the affected aerosol dry conditioner spray products and aerosol dry shampoo spray products.
Consumers can visit www.pantene.com, www.aussie.com, www.herbalessences.com, www.hairfood.com, www.oldspice.com, or www.waterlesshaircare.com for more information about the impacted products and to learn how to receive reimbursement for eligible products. If consumers have further questions, they can also seek more information via the Consumer Care team at 1-888-674-3631 from Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. EST.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.
Complete and submit the report online
Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
2 Arrested At Walmart Friday Night
Two people were arrested at Walmart Friday night, a man for shoplifting and a wanted woman spotted as the officers were leaving the store, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Zack Steward reported responding to a theft report at Walmart late Dec. 17, 2021, at Walmart. Upon arrival they contacted the store asset protection staff, who had detained a male and female in an office.
The store employee reported the man had put price tags over the original tags on merchandise, with the intention of not paying the original price for the items. The man allegedly used the self checkout to scan all of the items except one, including those with the wrong price tags on them. The asset protection employee reportedly detained the man at the door as he began exiting the store.
The man allegedly admitted to placing false price tags on the items of merchandise because the original prices were too expensive. The items he attempted to leave the store with were valued at $125, the asset protection employee told deputies. The man also told officials the female who was with him was unaware of what he’d done. Both he and the woman were issued criminal trespass warnings, prohibiting them from returning to the store; the man was taken into custody on a misdemeanor theft charge, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County jail reports show a 52-year-old Sulphur Springs man was booked into Hopkins county jail early Saturday morning, Dec. 18, for theft of property valued at $100 or more but less than $750. He remained in the county jail at noon Saturday. Bond on the charge was set at $1,000, according to jail records.
As the deputies were walking out of Walmart, they observed a woman walk out of the store they believed to be a woman known to have an active warrant for her arrest. Deputies had communications operators confirm the warrant, and learned the woman was wanted one not one but two outstanding charges.
Wilkerson and Steward contacted Leigh Ann Smith as she was getting into her vehicle and took her into custody at 11:55 p.m. and transported her to jail. The 36-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was booked into Hopkins County jail at 12:18 a.m. Dec. 18, 2021, on Hopkins county warrants for bail jumping and failure to appear and violation of probation, which she was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. Arrest records show she too was charged on a driving while license invalid warrant.
Smith, who is also known by Leigh Ann Cummings, Leighanne Smith and Leighanne Cummings, remained in Hopkins County jail at noon Saturday. Bond on the bail jumping/FTA charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Two-Vehicle Crash On FM 2285 Results In 1 Fatality, 2 Being Flown To Area Hospitals
A major two-vehicle crash on FM 2285 Friday night resulted in one fatality and two people being flown to area trauma centers.
According to a news release from Sulphur Springs Police Department, police responded to what was reported as a fatal crash on FM 2285 near Sulphur Springs Lake at 8:47 p.m. Dec. 17, 2021.
The crash on FM 2285 was a head-on collision involving two vehicles, a Toyota Camry driven by 73-year-old Shirley Robinson Wakeman and a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 18-year-old Dylan Cole Anderson, police reported Saturday afternoon.
Wakeman was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger in the Camry, identified by police as 9-year-old Tessa Robinson, was flown to a hospital in the Dallas area in critical condition, according to the SSPD report. Anderson was flown to a hospital in Tyler, where he was listed in stable condition Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, according to the SSPD release.
Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County Fire Departments, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and Hopkins County EMS also were among the agencies reported to have responded at the crash site. Additional SSFD personnel were reportedly called in to be available to respond to fire calls in the city while the on-duty crews worked at the crash site. Some HCSO deputies were also reportedly available to assisted with law enforcement calls in the city as well.
Investigation into the fatal crash is still ongoing, according to the SSPD release.
Trash Collection Schedule In Sulphur Springs Unchanged During Holidays
Sulphur Springs residents should plan to dispose of garbage as usual during the holidays. Trash collection trucks will run on the normal schedule throughout the 2021 holidays, with no changes planned, Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell reported Saturday morning, Dec. 18, 2021.
The schedule for trash collection in the City of Sulphur Springs can be viewed below or downloaded from the city website by clicking here:
Wildcats Basketball Falls To Top-Ranked Arlington Grace Prep, 61-57
The Wildcats basketball team fought all game long but fell to a tough team in Arlington Grace Prep 61-57 on Friday, Dec. 17.
Sulphur Springs kept it close throughout the non-district contest but could not keep up with a lights-out shooting effort from the Lions (12-2).
While the loss was a tough one, Coach Brandon Shaver and his squad got a last good test before district play begins next Tuesday in Marshall.
The Wildcats basketball coach said his team acquired bumps and bruises throughout non-district play, and to compete and play well against a slew of talented teams ranging anywhere from 4A to 6A and Friday’s loss to a top-ranked TAPPS school in Grace Prep, Sulphur Springs is in good hands headed in to district.
The tight loss to Arlington Grace Prep drops the Wildcats basketball team’s season record to 14-5.
Coach Shaver and his Wildcats are back at home on Tuesday when they host Marshall for their district opener.
Tuesday’s match-up with the Mavericks is a mid-afternoon one scheduled to tip off at 3:30 P.M.
The Wildcats-Mavericks district opener on Tuesday, Dec. 21 will be broadcasted on to KSST 1230 AM.
If given permission, we will also livestream the game on to KSST Radio’s Youtube channel.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Winnsboro Man Arrested On Felony Evading Arrest Charge
A 58-year-old Winnsboro man was arrested on a felony evading arrest charge Friday night, following a foot pursuit into the woods off FM 900, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Warren Williamson was checking the area of FM 900 at FM 3192 for a vehicle reportedly involved in two separate hit and run crashes in the area of FM 900 and State Highway 37 in Franklin County around 8:50 p.m. Dec. 17, 2021. The Highway patrol trooper reported seeing what appeared to be the suspect vehicle traveling south on FM 900, approaching FM 3192. The red Dodge Ram pickup reportedly had a defective driver’s side headlight, which wasn’t working.
As Williamson attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the truck left the road and stopped in the wood line on the right side of the road. The driver allegedly exited the pickup and began running southeast into the woods. Williamson reported running after the man, identifying himself multiple times as a state police officer. The man, however, continued to evade the trooper, running through the woods, the trooper noted in arrest reports. After a short foot pursuit, the man was taken into custody for evading arrest or detention without further incident; the truck was towed from the location, according to arrest reports.
The man in custody was transported to jail. A criminal history check showed Bryan Keith Burns to have a prior arrest and conviction for evading arrest in Tarrant County on July 19, 1996, resulting in the charge being enhanced to a felony charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
The 58-year-old Winnsboro man remained in Hopkins County jail late Saturday morning, Dec. 18, 2021. Bond on the felony evading arrest charge was set at $20,000, according to jail reports.
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.
Lady Cats Basketball Drops Second District Contest to Texas High
The Lady Cats basketball team lost their first district contest to go down at the SSHS Main Gym home to Texas High on Friday, Dec. 17.
Coach Erica Delley’s squad kept pace with the Lady Tigers through most of the first two quarters, but Texas High managed to pull away going in to halftime 32-18.
Sulphur Springs could not keep up with the Lady Tigers in the second half and fell to Texas High 55-30 for their second straight loss to open district play.
The women’s basketball team played tough defense all game long, but turnovers and missed shots gave way to a hard-fought loss at the SSHS Main Gym.
Addyson Caddell lead the Lady Cats in scoring at 11. Kaylee Carter racked up nine points in the loss, seven of which came in the second half.
E’dream Jones and Aaliyah Cheatum both got four against Texas High.
Jasmin Taylor and Kyra Carter rounded out scoring for Coach Delley’s team with three and two points, respectively.
The home-loss to Texas High drops the Lady Cats basketball team’s season record to 0-17 (0-2 district).
Next up, Sulphur Springs will be back on the road Monday for a mid-afternoon match-up with the Marshall Lady Mavs.
That game is set to tip off Monday afternoon at 2:30 P.M. and follows the junior varsity contest at 1 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Franklin, Hopkins Continued To Have Lowest Unemployment Rates In November 2021 In NET Workforce Development Area
Franklin and Hopkins Counties continued to have the lowest unemployment rates in the Northeast Texas Workforce Development Area in November 2021. Eight of the nine counties did have unemployment rates of less than 6% for the 11th month of the year, giving the Northeast Texas WDA an overall 4.9% unemployment rate, which is just above the state average of 4.5% unemployment last month. In fact, only three of the counties – Franklin, Hopkins and Delta – in the NET WDA had unemployment rates below the state average for November 2021.
According to according to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics released Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, on Texas Workforce Commission on the Texas Labor Market Information website, November 2021 was the sixth straight month Franklin County has had the lowest unemployment rate in the WDA. Surprisingly, unemployment rose from 4.7% in May 2021 to 5 in June 2021, only to drop down to 4.2% in August 2021, and has continued dipping, down to 4% in September, 3.8% in October 2021 and 3.5% last month in Franklin County. That’s still not quite as good as the pre-pandemic November 2019 unemployment rate of 3.1%.
| County | Civilian Labor Force (CFL) | Employed | Unemployed | Unemployment Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOWIE | 39,254 | 37,260 | 1,994 | 5.1 |
| CASS | 11,935 | 11,247 | 688 | 5.8 |
| DELTA | 2,394 | 2,288 | 106 | 4.4 |
| FRANKLIN | 5,269 | 5,082 | 187 | 3.5 |
| HOPKINS | 17,473 | 16,820 | 653 | 3.7 |
| LAMAR | 24,046 | 22,874 | 1,172 | 4.9 |
| MORRIS | 4,424 | 4,029 | 395 | 8.9 |
| RED RIVER | 5,124 | 4,844 | 280 | 5.5 |
| TITUS | 13,167 | 12,566 | 601 | 4.6 |
| Workforce Development Area (WDA) Total | 123,086 | 117,010 | 6,072 | 4.9% |
Hopkins County’s November 2021 unemployment rate was 3.7%, which is still slightly higher than the historically low pre-pandemic rates of 2019 and January-March 2020. Hopkins County’s unemployment rate in 2019 dipped to 2.7% in April and May; the highest unemployment rate posted for Hopkins County in 2019 was 3.6% in January. The lowest unemployment rate for Hopkins in 2020 was the 3.1% recorded in January and February of 2020. The unemployment rate rose to 4.3% in March2020 as the pandemic rolled in and spiked to 7.8% in April due to the mandatory shutdown of all except essential businesses in April.
In November 2021, 3.7% of the Hopkins County labor force was unemployed, down slightly from 3.9% in October, and still only 0.6% more than in the first 2 months (pre-pandemic) of 2020. That factors in a rise in the civilian labor force from 17,423 in October 2021 to 17,473 in November; 76 additional people went to work in November than the 16,744 employed in October, leaving 653 without jobs (26 less unemployed in November 2021 than the month before).
Nearby Delta County had the next lowest November 2021 unemployment rate of 4.4%, down from 4.7% the month before and 5.3% in November 2020, but 1% more than in November 2019.
Titus County’s unemployment rate dropped from 4.8% in October 2021 to 4.6 in November 2021, which is lower than the 6.2% reported in November 2020, but still 1.1% more than in November 2019.
The unemployment rate in Titus County in November 2021 was 4.9%, down from 5.1% the month before and 6% in November 2020, but higher than the November 2019 unemployment rate of 3.1%
Although there were more people unemployed in Bowie County in November 2021 than one month before, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1%. That’s due to the fact that the CLF increased by 318, and 302 more people gained employment. The unemployment rate in November 2020 was 6.5%; at that time, Bowie County 542 more people were unemployed and the CFL was 311 people fewer as well. Bowie’s unemployment rate in November 2019 was 3.7.
Cass County’s unemployment rate for November 2021 was 5.8%, down slightly from 5.9% in October 2021 and considerably from the 8.2% unemployment rate of November 2020. The pre-pandemic November unemployment rate was 3.9% in 2019.
Red River County’s unemployment rate rose slightly from 5.4% in October 2021 to 5.5% November 2021, both moths were down from the 6.2% unemployment rate reported in November 2020 and 4.3% in November 2019.
Morris County continued to have the highest unemployment rate of 8.9% in November 2021, which is still better than the 9.3% reported just one month before and far better than the 13.6% reported during November 2020 but still 3.6% higher than November. 2019.
Enola Gay Mathews Retiring After 32 Years At KSST
Community Invited To Mathews’ Retirement Reception Dec. 22 At KSST Studios
Although she was not the first to hold the job, most Hopkins County residents associate mornings with Enola Gay Mathews and KSST. For about 30 years now, many Hopkins County residents have started their day with Enola Gay on KSST Radio 1230 AM. Station manager and owner Chad Young will take over the microphone to continue to inform and entertain KSST listeners on KSST’s Good Morning Show.
Last week, Mathews notified KSST 1230 owner Chad Young of her plan to hang up her microphone on Christmas Eve after one final reading of Christmas cards.
Owners Chad and Rhonda Young said, ”Although we hate to see Enola retire from radio, we certainly respect her desire to quit working and spend more time with her grandchildren.” Chad Young added, ”As we move forward, we will continue to keep our KSST listeners informed in the way they have been accustomed.”
It is fitting that she retires on Christmas Eve by reading Christmas cards, something she looks forward to every year. (She invites anyone who has not already done so to send Christmas cards and holiday greetings by mail to KSST at PO Box 284, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483 or by email to [email protected].)
Mathews said the decision to retire was made after speaking with her family at Thanksgiving. In fact, when her kids asked about her plans for retirement she initially found the idea odd. But, the more she thought about it, the more she warmed up to the idea.
“It started me thinking. I’ve spent half my life in this building,” she said during an interview at the KSST studios earlier this week.
“I can’t believe I’m doing it. I never believed I would. … It has been so much more than just a job,” Enola said. “KSST staff is like a family. A couple of the employees have been here 30 years also. It’s been a way of life for all of us.”
KSST invites the community to a come-and-go Retirement Reception For Enola Gay Mathews from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021, inside the KSST Studios.
“Working side by side with Enola Gay this past 18 years has been a real pleasure. Learning about her life experiences has been fascinating. I’m sure there are a lot more to come. Congratulations, Enola Gay. You will be missed,” said KSST Production Manager Matt Janson.
And, KSST’s James Terry pointed out, “Everybody listens to her in the mornings. Not only will we miss her, but those listening to us will too.
“When you think of KSST, you think of Enola Gay. She will be sorely missed,” said Karon Weatherman, Senior Citizens Center programs and marketing director.. “My seniors wake up with her. She gets them going.”
“She is one of a kind. She will be greatly missed in Hopkins County and surrounding communities. She is a local legend,” said Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom, who has not only had the opportunity to visit on her show, but to sing with her on Reilly Springs Jamboree as part of the Campfire Cowboys; he is also scheduled to be one of her final guests on the Good Morning Show. “We are old friends. She is in a position to influence people in not just Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County; others from surrounding counties listen to her too. We certainly wish her well but she’s one we wish wouldn’t retire so she’ll still be on air.”
Enola says she too will miss the many Morning Show listeners, who’ve become friends and family over the years of calling in to KSST.
“Through the Morning Show listenership I personally gained friends from all walks of life, with roots from Delta and all surrounding counties – communities like Gober, Birthright, North Hopkins, Old Tarrant, Mahoney, Chicken Bristle, Tira, Dike, Charleston, Gobblers Knob, Sulphur Bluff, Hagansport, Sugar Hill, Hogbed, Mount Vernon, Saltillo, Weaver, Brinker, Pine Forest, Cornersville, Black Oak, Greenpond, Como and Pickton, Reilly Springs, Arbala, Possum Trot, Miller Grove, Shirley, Greenwood, Blackjack Grove, Cumby, Midway and Campbell, and many other areas of radio fans whose listenership goes back as far as 1947, when KSST went on the air.” Enola Gay said.
Enola has been with KSST since August of 1989. She still believes the novelty of her name is what landed her the job. When Bill Bradford, a former World War II pilot turned commercial pilot and radio/TV newsman, saw that name in the stack of applications, it stood out.
While most known Enola for her work as the Morning Show host, that wasn’t her first or only job at KSST. She started out in sales and doing commercial production. She knew of at least two others during her time in Sulphur Springs who voiced the show before she did.
About 5 years into her employment at KSST, she took over the Morning Show. That, she said, is when she began to “meet” people in person at the station as guests as well as KSST’s many dedicated listeners who invited her into their homes over the airwaves to provide news, announcements, school menus, birthday greetings, anniversary congratulations, weather and even traffic updates during the morning hours.
“Radio was, and still is, a strong place to get important local news immediately to the listeners. We’d wake up together,” Enola Gay Mathews said with a smile.
Some listeners felt so close to her that they’d call to let her know their plans to accomplish that day.
“It definitely gives you a unique look into people’s lives,” she said, noting she’s made it her goal to be the “cheerleader for everyone’s day.” She tries to give uplifting, positive news to encourage and help others.
Some of her listeners over the years have been truck drivers, passing through. She became acquainted with a few truck drivers who, until about 2000, would give road updates on air, which she could share with listeners during bad weather. They’d call in when they got certain places or honk as they passed KSST on I-30 to let her know they’d made it from their pick up location, perhaps a dairy in one end of the county, into town, during icy winter weather on slick roads.
She also gained friends in some of the farthest parts of the county, a network of listener-reporters across Hopkins, Franklin and Delta counties as well as Yantis and Winnsboro, who called in road and rainfall reports during or following each big storm. Some included Betty in Pine Forest, truck drivers whose CB handles were Tater Dumpling, Red Bob and the Road Master Jerry Mathews.
People too would report if there were traffic hazards, such as crashes or construction, impacting the travel of listeners. When cell phones began gaining popularity, people would call in directly from their phones on the road.
If there was a weather delay, KSST was and, still is one of, if not the, first call many school districts make, because they rely on the immediacy of the radio to get the word out to families quickly. Now, that the notifications include posting information at KSSTradio.com too, so it can go out on KSST’s additional social media platforms.
Back in Enola’s early days, the Morning Show format was pretty relaxed. While guests were scheduled when possible, it was not uncommon for community members to stop by and share the latest updates for an organization, business or about their families even.
Until about 2010, guests would come into KSST and stay as long as they wanted. They might talk live, then grab a cup of coffee and, after the business of the morning was out of the way, continue their discussions live, she recalled.
Enola has talked to entertainers, musicians, writers, artists, politicians, community leaders, school children and personnel. People would call in with what interested them. A few gardeners and farmers called in regularly, back in the earlier days of KSST, to talk about what they were growing. Others would share where fishing had been good, which would be shared with listeners.
She quite enjoyed learning some of the old time sayings and things people used in daily life. For instance, she learned one could tell if it might rain by looking out in the pasture or field to see if the livestock was lying down during the day.
During at least the first half of her years on the Morning Show, listeners could call in to request music, Country Western in those days. While there were quite a few records in the control room, if the request was for one that wasn’t, Enola would often put one song on, then dash to the back to grab the one they wanted, then put it on to play as the other song ended – all within a 3 minute span. She enjoyed being able to make someone’s morning by playing their song.
After KSST began broadcasting on Channel 18, the morning show became more structured, with Doug Haston videoing the day’s interviews which could be shown on TV as well.
One particular show Doug recalls recording annually for a number of years was Elvis Day. Enola always pays tribute to Pressley on his birth and death dates.
“Yes, the Elvis anniversary days on the Morning Show were big in listenership and sponsorship, and with guests of Elvis lookalikes over several years,” Enola said, shaking her head, recalling the memorable visits.
Haston noted that on occasion, she has even had children – sometimes her own – stop by to show off collectors’ dolls of Elvis.
Enola has also had the opportunity to voice live broadcasts from community events such as the World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest and the Hopkins County Dairy Festival.
Recently, she enjoyed joining KSST Sports Director Ross Labenske downtown for live coverage of the 15th Annual Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade, describing for KSST 1230 AM listeners each float, conveyance and entry as they rolled and walked by. Haston captured the parade on video, along with their accounts of it, which can be viewed anytime on the KSST Radio YouTube page and on Channel 18 during the holidays.
In fact, Enola Gay says music and the connection she had with KSST listeners was her favorite part of the job.
When she was married for the second time, an elderly listener brought her a special gift, a pound cake she’d made. She’s received many priceless gifts, little mementoes listeners learned were among her interests. She said one gift she’s still not sure who left for her in the control room, a magnet from Alaska, which still hangs on the front of her metal desk. She’s received family keepsakes, treasures from their lives shared in thanks for the personal connection they feel to her thanks to the live radio.
“I’ve had so many invitations and opportunities because of the Morning Show. My work has opened so many doors,” she said. “I have met so many people through the Good Morning Show. It’s been a huge privilege in my life, a turning point for me when I got the job. It’s led to opportunities I didn’t know I wanted, but that fell into my lap.”
She explained that in her early years at KSST, she came across photos and memorabilia of an old radio show called the Reilly Springs Jamboree. She asked the listeners about it, and received information about it over the course of a year.
“I thought about it and decided to try to revive the live stage show which KSST had carried in the 1950s. In April 1995, the Reilly Springs Jamboree Reunion was held and it was standing-room-only inside the VFW Post home. Well, the show continued and did well until COVID. Now, our stage is dark like so many other venues. It would be a thrill to get to bring it back again someday!” Enola Gay said.
Her love of music also resulted in what evolved into the 1230 West Show, played on Saturday mornings and again on Thursday evenings.
In the early 2000s, Enola explained, she began working with Benny Potter for what at that time was 1 1/2 hour of music, reaching back into its roots, telling stories of the musicians and songs they sang.
“It was easy for me. Benny was a walking encyclopedia of music and songs. You could name a song title and he’d tell information about it,” Enola said.
The two hosts, live in the beginning, would meander from song to song and artist to artist, a journey into musical history, with no filter and nothing held back, just a shared love of music and sharing it.
Around 2014, the show became the 1230 West Show, a more structured hour, focusing on her loves – Country Cowboy and Western Swing music. The show allows timeless classics from eras past to be brought back to life for an hour. Life has changed so much, but that way of life which spans generations is captured in song, Enola Gay Mathews noted.
She said her work at KSST has lead to her writing online news, taking photographs, learning about people and things she never would have. It’s resulted in singing engagements, the revival of the Jamboree and her singing in a band, as part of a duo, helping out as a speaker, MC, judge and other capacities at functions throughout the county.
Enola Gay Matthews has received various awards over the years for her work at KSST, community involvement and championing of Western Swing and Cowboy Country music. She has received Fruit of the Spirit Awards, Yantis Masonic Lodge’s Community Builder Award, Community Pride and Community Builder awards, was first runner-up for Ms. Hopkins County Senior in 2014, and more than once was recognized in the News-Telegram’s Best of Hopkins County in the Radio Broadcasting category.
More impressively, Enola Gay Mathews received the DJ of the Year in 2006 from the Academy of Western Artists, was nominated DJ of the Year by Texas Music Association in 2008, a Western Swing Hero and was inducted into the Cowtown Society of Western Swing Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
In 2020, Weatherman nominated Enola Gay for the Yellow Rose of Texas, a commission bestowed to Texas women by the Texas Governor in recognition of those who have gone beyond measure in their communities and workplace. The Yellow Rose of Texas recognizes exceptional community service such as volunteerism, charitable contributions, achievements related to the preservation of the history of Texas, or achievements toward improving the present and building the future.
“She’s a big supporter of the senior center and Ms. Hopkins County Pageant. She’s always helping me promote anything that I have. She is a jewel. I love her to death,” Weatherman said. “This is the highest honor a woman can receive in the State of Texas.”
In June 2020, Weatherman presented the Yellow Rose of Texas commission to Enola during Hopkins County Commissioners Court, where the Sheriff’s Posse which she has also served on, and the County Judge recognized her as well.
“She is an icon in this town, Everyone loves her,” Weatherman said, adding sadly, “Our Yellow Rose is retiring.”
“I have appreciated Enola’s warm welcome to KSST over the past 2 years, as well as her kindness to me as a media professional working elsewhere prior to that,” said Faith Huffman, who joined KSST’s news team in 2019. “Enola is passionate about whatever she does. I and KSST wish her the best in retirement.”
“The people of Hopkins County will not truly appreciate what they’ve had for the last 30 years until the day after Christmas, until they no longer start their day with Enola Gay,” said longtime coworker and friend Doug Haston of Enola Gay’s retirement at the end of next week.
Enola says she feels blessed to have been a part of so many people’s lives through her work at KSST, for over 3 decades. However, much as she will miss wishing everyone happy birthday and anniversary, and announcing community events, especially KSST’s “milestone anniversary on March 1, 2022, celebrating 75 years of serving multiple generations of listeners,” Enola Gay is ready to take a step back to enjoy her family on a less regimented schedule and excited to see what the next chapter of life has to offer.
KSST welcomes the community to stop by the station from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, for a come and go reception to celebrate Enola Gay Matthews for her 32 years with KSST and wish her well as she begins her retirement.
