TxDOT Terminates IBM From Toll Operations Contract For System Issues
AUSTIN – Citing continued challenges with an upgraded toll operations system delivered by IBM nearly a year ago, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, that it has terminated its remaining contract with the company.
Since the system’s roll-out, TxTag customers and toll road users have experienced unnecessary challenges in managing their accounts. TxDOT has not seen satisfactory results from IBM and is disappointed in the numerous difficulties the system has created for customers.
“We take the responsibility of providing a quality and trusted customer experience very seriously, and regret the impact and inconvenience these past many months of lackluster IBM service have had on our toll road users,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “We will continue to keep customers apprised on our progress to improve our customers’ interactions with TxTag. Our customers deserve better and we are committed to ensuring that they receive that going forward.”
TxDOT has secured new interim technology providers via an emergency contract with SAP and the Department of Information Resources Managed Security Services to help stabilize and improve the back-end system to manage the massive amount of customer data and toll transactions. This will help ensure that the system provides customers accurate, timely and consistent account management, billing and payment capabilities that meet the highest levels of usability and security. In tandem with this step, TxDOT also has begun the process of procuring a new service provider that will assume responsibilities from the interim team to continue rigorous improvements and operations.
“This is not a step we take lightly,” Williams said. “But it is the step we had to take now. We simply could not move forward in the current state.”
With the ongoing transition, customers do not need to take any action at this time. We encourage customers to continue managing their accounts at www.TxTag.org or by contacting the call center at 888-468-9824. As has been the case since the upgraded system transition first began in late 2020, no late fees are being assessed at this time.
Winnsboro Police Media Report, Aug. 23-29, 2021
The Winnsboro Police Department’s weekly media report for Aug. 23-29, 2021, included the following:
Arrest
James Kidd, 39 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Aug. 23, for public intoxication and possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana.
Calls For Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 161 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 61 citations and 64 warnings during this reporting period.
Three Additional COVID Deaths, 62 New Cases Reported For Hopkins County
Three additional COVID deaths, 62 new cases and 74 recoveries were reported for Hopkins County over the weekend, which means 1.32 percent of the overall population in Hopkins County had the virus this month, with 2.24 percent of the cases resulting in death due to the virus so far in August, according to Texas Department of State Health Services reports.
Two new COVID fatalities were announced on Friday and one Saturday, for a total of of five additional Hopkins County coronavirus deaths reported this week by Texas Department of State Health Services. That makes 11 Hopkins County residents who have died this month for COVID: three on Aug. 3; two on Aug. 10; and one each on Aug. 7, Aug. 1, Aug. 12, Aug. 13, Aug. 15 and Aug. 19. That makes 41 COVID fatalities in 2021 and 125 since March of 2020.
Another 52 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases and 11 probable case were reported among Hopkins County residents over the Aug. 27-29 weekend. That’s 11 new lab-confirmed cases and four new probable cases Friday, along with 13 lab-confirmed cases and four probable cases on Saturday, and 28 new lab-confirmed and three new probable cases over the weekend. The total number of new molecular cases during the week of Aug. 22-28 increased to 96, and brings the total for the month of August to 339 new molecular cases for the month, to 1,012 for all of 2021 and 2,396 since March 2020. That means that as of Sunday, the lab-confirmed case counts reported for Hopkins County in August (with 2 days still remaining) had exceeded the previous record of 323 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases set in October 2020.
Overall, that’s 6.46 percent of the Hopkins County population who have received lab-confirmed positive COVID-19 test results, and 0.34 percent of the overall estimated population of almost 37,100 who have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began. Since Jan. 1, 2021, that’s 2.73 percent of the population of Hopkins County who’ve had confirmed COVID-19 cases and 0.11 percent of the overall population who’ve died from the virus. The death rate among confirmed cases, however, is 4.05 percent for 2021, and 5.22 percent overall since the pandemic began in March 2020.
The 11 new probable cases this weekend increased the total for August to 151. That makes 824 probable cases in 2021, and 1,916 since the state began tracking cases probable cases last fall. DSHS and the CDC define probable cases as those identified through antigen testing or a combination of symptoms and a known exposure without a more likely diagnosis. Since Dec. 11, 2020, when the state began posting probable case counts daily on the DSHS Case Counts dashboard, the most probable cases in a month was 193 in December, followed in January with 153 probable cases and February with 134 new probable cases reported for Hopkins County residents. That’s another 2.22 percent of the Hopkins County population considered to have the virus in 2021, and 5.17 percent of the overall Hopkins County population who’s been counted as a probable case since state began tracking probable COVID cases last fall.
Combining both confirmed and probable cases, that’s 490 Hopkins County residents (1.32 percent) reported to have COVID-19 this month, 1,836 (4.95 percent) who’ve had the virus since Jan. 1, 2021 and 4,312 (11.63 percent since March of 2020). That means that while only 0.34 percent of the total population of Hopkins county had died from the virus, 2.9 percent of county residents who’ve had COVID have died from the virus.
Seventy-four Hopkins County residents have recovered from COVID in the past 3 days, 12 on Friday, 21 Saturday and 41 on Sunday. That makes 127 county residents who recovered from the virus during the fourth week of August, and 308 this month. Cumulatively, 3,893 of the 4,312 Hopkins County residents who’ve had COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March of 2020 have recovered for the virus, with 1,839 of those recoveries occurring in 2021.
While August started with 108 active cases, that number has continued to increase, with as many as 164 active cases reported during the first seven days of the month, then exceeding 200 on Aug. 11. At the conclusion of the second week of August, 249 active cases were reported among Hopkins county residents. During week 3, as many as 270 active cases were reported. Active cases peaked at 310 on Friday, but had dipped to 305 at the conclusion of the fourth full week of August 2021, then down to 295 on Sunday. That’s an overall daily average of 226 active cases on any given day in Hopkins County during the first 29 days of August. For 2021, Hopkins County has averaged about 107.5 active cases daily and for the entire pandemic averaged 76,69 active cases daily.
According to Texas Health and Human Service, 43.09 percent of the eligible population age 12 and older i Hopkins County had received at least one does of the COVID vaccine Sunday and 35.52 percent in that age group are fully vaccinated. That’s 13,455 people in Hopkins County age 12 or older (50 more than the day before) who had received at least 1 dose of COVID vaccine as of 11:59 p.m. Saturday, including 11,091 who are fully vaccinated for the virus (48 more than the day before). Across the state 68.12 percent of the population age 12 and older (16,395,199 people) in Texas had received at least one dose of vaccine and 56.71 percent age 12 and up (13,650,178 people) across the state had been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at 11:59 p.m. Aug. 28, 2021.
H C Genealogical Library Closed Temporarily Starting Monday August 30,2021
The HCGS library will be temporarily closed effective immediately. This precautionary measure is being taken due to the sudden increase of Covid cases within our community. We will notify you as soon as we know when we plan to resume normal operations.
If you wish to purchase books during this time, call (903)885-8523 to leave a message or email us at [email protected].
Also, while shut down, we can answer email queries requiring 15 minutes or less time to research.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult time for all of us.
Please stay safe!
Meal A Day Menu For Aug. 30 – Sept. 3, 2021
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for Aug. 30 – Sep. 3, 2021, includes:
- Monday –Smothered Beef Patty, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Roll
- Tuesday – Sweet and Sour Chicken,Rice, Oriental Vegetables and Egg Roll
- Wednesday –Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, Normandy Vegetables and Roll.
- Thursday –Enchilada Pie, Re-fried Beans, Chips, Salsa and Tossed Salad.
- Friday – Chicken Dressing Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Green Bean Casserole, Candied Carrots and Roll.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
H C Community Chest Resumes Food Distribution Normal Schedule August 31
According to the Director of the Hopkins County Community Chest, the temporary closure through part of August 2021 due to staffing has ended, and starting Tuesday August 31, normal weekly food distributions will resume. Heather White became the local Community Chest Director in April 2021, and her job has continued an important local role filled previously by Judy Moore.
In an e-mail to KSST, White stated that the 217 Linda Drive facility will re-open as planned on 8-31-2021. “We ask that clients come to pick up food on their regularly scheduled week. No modifications in schedules will be made. The food bank will resume normal distribution on Tuesday 8-31-21. Our Reach out program has resumed as well and will continue as regularly scheduled. We appreciate the community’s support during this time”.
In addition to assisting families through the ongoing food distribution programs at the Community Chest headquarters at 217 Linda Drive in Sulphur Springs, there’s also the Reach-Out program where a mobile unit travels to food distribution stations in the county on a monthly basis. Community Chest also offers bill-pay assistance as well as emergency resource services for families in need. Assistance is determined by income and application process. If you have needs or have questions about Hopkins County Community Chest, you can visit the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, or you may phone 903-885-3452.
For persons receiving food assistance during 2021, the ‘shopping” format was restored in May 2021, as opposed to the bulk distribution which was utilized during the pandemic year of 2020. The food products offered in distribution program is funded by donations from sources in the local community as well as distributions from the Northeast Texas Food Bank.
American Red Cross Local Volunteers Deploy to Support Hurricane Ida Relief Efforts
American Red Cross Local Volunteers Deploy to Support Hurricane Ida Relief Efforts
Additional volunteers needed to support hurricane season.
PARIS, TX (August 28, 2021) — As Louisiana residents prepare for the landfall of Hurricane Ida on Sunday, August 29, the American Red Cross is continuing its own preparations. The Red Cross, in partnership with government and community partners, has mobilized hundreds of trained disaster workers and relief supplies to shelter and support thousands of people in evacuation shelters from Texas to Florida.
Hurricane Ida is still strengthening and could be an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm as it makes landfall along the Gulf Coast on Sunday morning, bringing life-threatening storm surge, dangerous winds and more than a foot of rain to a region still recovering from last year’s devastating hurricanes.
Some 500 trained Red Cross volunteers, including some from the North Texas area, have been mobilized to help open shelters and support people who need a safe place to say as Ida approaches. In addition, the Red Cross has truckloads of additional cots, blankets and comfort kits, along with some 68,000 ready-to-eat meals arriving in Louisiana and Mississippi today.
Those looking for an evacuation shelter are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or text ‘LAShelter’ to 898-211. Additional information and safety tips are available at redcross.org, 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or by downloading the free Red Cross Emergency App from any app store.
Hundreds of additional volunteers are being mobilized to support relief efforts after landfall. Volunteers will help to provide meals and snack, comfort kits with hygiene items like toothbrushes and soap, and assist with sheltering and health and mental health services.
Full information on volunteer opportunities is available here.
SHELTER VOLUNTEERS AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS NEEDED
The Red Cross needs additional volunteers to support disaster shelters. Volunteers will help with reception, registration, food distribution, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks inside disaster shelters.
The Red Cross also needs volunteers who can work in disaster shelters to address people’s health needs and provide hands-on care in alignment with their professional licensure (registered nurse and licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse). Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available. If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with a current and unencumbered license, this position could be right for you.
After most disasters this year, the Red Cross plans to open group shelters. However, in some communities, hotels may be more appropriate if the risk of COVID-19, including the delta variant, is particularly high. The Red Cross will also continue many of the safety precautions implemented in 2020, including masks, health screenings, enhanced cleaning procedures and encouraging social distancing.
HOW YOU CAN HELP If you are interested in helping our community should a disaster occur, please go to redcross.org/volunteertoday or contact our area offices at [email protected].
Be sure to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers and the people we serve.
You can also help people affected by disasters like storms and countless other crises by making a gift to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossNTX.
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Louisiana Man Jailed On Hopkins County Warrant
August 28, 2021 – A 54-year-old Monroe, Louisiana man was jailed Friday on a Hopkins County warrant.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Steve Huffman took Lee Archie McNeil into custody at 11:17 a.m. Aug. 27, 2021, at Ouachita Parish Correctional Facility in his hometown. Huffman transported the 54-year-old man to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked just after 5 p.m. Friday on a warrant for violation of probation on a fraudulent use or possession of identifying information charge.
McNeill remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, on the charge.
He was jailed from Feb. 21 to March 27, 2020, on the original fraud charge, as well as a no driver’s license charge and a drug paraphernalia charge. The 2020 offense stemmed from an interstate traffic stop in which two pills, a bank card that didn’t belong to him or the other occupant and an open alcohol bottle were found in the car he and another man were traveling in. McNeil at that time claimed his friend had left his meth pipe and credit card in the vehicle. The fraud department at the financial institution confirmed the card had been flagged and cancelled by the cardholder, troopers alleged in reports at the time of McNeil’s arrest on Feb. 21, 2020.
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.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of August 30, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Aug. 30, 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.
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. 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 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
Northbound and Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic has been shifted onto the existing frontage road near West Staples Street and transitions back to the existing mainlanes near West Cherry Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes 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 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both mainlane 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 mainlane traffic switch and Center Street detour can be viewed online at:
- Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLyVQ6rYNhM
- Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Detour for the Center Street closure at US 75: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIMoHaqAFGg
Northbound and Southbound US 75 mainlane 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 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both mainlane 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 mainlane 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 mainlane traffic switch and Washington Street detour can be viewed online at:
- Northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch:
- Southbound US 75 mainlane 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.
The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The pedestrian bridge has been removed. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
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 second portion of the new Sand Creek bridge and the approaches to the bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
SH 289, Grayson County: in Gunter at the FM 121 intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures as construction crews work on installing a traffic signal at the intersection. The signal has been turned on to flash mode. The signal will become fully active on Aug. 31.
FM 131, Grayson County: in Sherman at the Northcreek Drive intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures as construction crews work on installing a traffic signal at the intersection.
US 69, Grayson County: in Bells at the FM 1897 intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures as construction crews work on installing a traffic signal at the intersection.
Yellow Bridge Road (CR 876), Grayson County: Yellow Bridge Road (CR 876) is closed to through traffic at the branch of Pilot Grove Creek so that construction crews can remove and replace the bridge. Local traffic will need to use an alternate roadway such as Brewer Road or County Road 534.
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.
US 69/US 75, Grayson County: at the Red River bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to upgrade and replace the existing bridge railing on the bridge and guardrail approaches on the northbound and southbound bridges at the Red River. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have shifted traffic to provide room for construction.
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 Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the daytime.
FM 120, Grayson County: from SH 289 to Cemetery Road. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs on the roadway.
FM 902, Grayson County: from SH 5 to FM 2729. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level 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.
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, but occasional daytime lane closures may be present. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median.
SH 78, Fannin County: from US 69 to SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 68, Fannin County: from SH 78 to FM 271. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
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.
US 271 at Loop 286 interchange, Lamar County: Watch for lane and ramp closures while crews mill and place hot mix pavement. Please use an alternate route when possible to minimize traffic congestion in this area.
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. The shoulder at Little Pine Creek will remain closed while the rail work is completed.
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.
FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (Avery) to FM 44. Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas as final work is being performed.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to the Bowie County line. Watch for daytime lane closures while crews place final hot mix surface.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
FM 36, Hunt County: from FM 36 to FM 751 at various locations: The contractor has been forming and pouring concrete drainage structures on FM 1564. The contractor is working on culverts and safety end treatments on FM 1564 and will be placing chevrons on FM 1570, FM 751 and FM 36.
SH 276, Hunt County, from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass): The contractor has placed project barricades and has prepared and cleared most of 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 has begun mile five 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.
SH 66 at FM 1570, Hunt County: The contractor has finished placing project striping and will begin working on final punch list items. 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 base repair operations on FM 512. Crews will also be on FM 1570 from IH 30 to SH 34 performing edging operations. Crews will be performing potholing 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 patching work on SH 276 from US 69 to 2-Mile Bridge. Crews will be performing various sign installations, potholing, edging, and debris removal. Maintenance crews will be performing herbicide operation on various roadways. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway, and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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Lady Cats Volleyball Team Goes 2-2 in Edgewood Tournament
Coach Bailey Dorner’s Lady Cats volleyball team have had another busy three days, starting with Thursday, Aug. 26 in day one of the Edgewood tournament.
Sulphur Springs travelled to Edgewood and took part in two games, first against Van and then against Caddo Mills.
Coach Dorner’s volleyball team bested Van in three sets, taking a tight set one 25-23.
The Lady Vandals bounced back to take the second set at 25-16, but Sulphur Springs won another tight set in the third 15-13 to win the first game on the day for Coach Dorner’s squad.
The second game in Edgewood on Thursday versus Caddo Mills did not go as well for the Lady Cats. Sulphur Springs dropped the first and third sets but were able to take set two 25-19 in a 2-1 loss to the Lady Foxes.
Friday night went better for the Lady Cats, as Sulphur Springs took on the Lady Eagles in Lindale.
Coach Dorner’s team swept the Lady Eagles in three straight sets, 25-17, 25-21, and 25-22 to get their third win on the week.
Quinlan Ford had to cancel their match in Sulphur Springs on Tuesday due to the coronavirus, thus giving a forfeit win to the Lady Cats.
Saturday morning came to be something of a mixed bag, as Sulphur Springs swept Troup in their first game of day two of the Edgewood tournament, 25-17 and 25-20 before losing to Scurry-Rosser in three sets.
With the loss to Scurry-Rosser, the Lady Cats were eliminated from the Edgewood tournament, marking the end of the third tournament that the volleyball team will play in this fall. The last tournament is next weekend in Forney on Thursday and Friday.
All in all, Coach Dorner’s squad went 3-2 over the course of the week. That makes volleyball’s season record 12-9.
Next up, the Lady Cats volleyball team will be in Paris on Tuesday, Aug. 31st when they take on the Paris Lady Cats.
Freshman and junior varsity will get things going at 4:30 P.M., followed by the varsity teams scheduled to begin at 5:30 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.
