Paris District Road Report for the Week of May 31, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of May 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.
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 and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91 as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound North Travis Street exit ramp (FM 131) is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Washington Street exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Washington Street exit. The southbound Houston Street / Lamar Street exit ramp is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Washington Street exit. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
Northbound 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, US 75 northbound frontage road traffic has been reduced to a single travel lane, while northbound US 75 mainlane traffic still maintains two travel lanes. Both northbound mainlane and northbound frontage road traffic are separated by concrete barriers. Beginning June 1, the southbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road for this same area. This traffic configuration will remain in place for approximatively 14 months.
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
Beginning June 1, northbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road north of Houston Street and transition back to existing mainlanes south of North Travis Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Washington Street. Once the traffic switch is completed, US 75 northbound frontage road traffic will be reduced to a single travel lane, while northbound US 75 mainlane traffic will still maintain two travel lanes. Both northbound mainlane and northbound frontage road traffic will be separated by concrete barriers. Beginning June 8, southbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road for this same area. This traffic configuration will remain in place for approximatively 14 months.
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:
The westbound US 82 exit ramp for Loy Lake road is currently closed for crews to work on widening the US 82 frontage road. This exit ramp is expected to be closed through July 2021. 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 east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will be removed at a later time. 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.
FM 120, Grayson County: from SH 289 in Pottsboro west to the end of state maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to perform base repairs on the roadway.
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.
US 82, Grayson County: at Deaver Creek. Watch for temporary daytime lane and shoulder closures for both the eastbound and westbound travel lanes as workers complete maintenance repairs to the bridge.
US 69, Grayson County: between FM 120 and US 75. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 121, Grayson County: between FM 3356 and SH 289. 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 will remain in its current lane between SH 121 and FM 897, while crews work on the inside lane to build crossovers and turn lanes. Eastbound traffic between FM 897 and the Lamar County line has been opened to two lanes, however 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. On June 2 the eastbound US 82 on-ramp from SH 78 will be closed in order for crews to complete paving of the new on-ramp, and to remove concrete barrier.
FM 896, Fannin County: from US 69 in Leonard to Business SH 121 in Randolph. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
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, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
FM 71, Hopkins County: From FM 3236 to Sulphur Bluff. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews work on rehabilitating the roadway.
SH 19, Hopkins County: From Loop 301 to Delta County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
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.
FM 195, Red River County: from 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 temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement, upgrade bridge rail, and place new hot mix.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to SP 38 (Bogata). Watch for daytime lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing roadway.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to 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 various locations: The contractor has placed project barricades. The contractor will begin drainage work on FM 1564 from SH 34 to US 69, weather permitting.
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. Haul trucks crossing Spur 264 under flagging operations will begin soon, weather permitting.
FM 499, Hunt County: at Lynn Creek: This project has been completed, road closures have been removed and the contractor has finished final clean-up in the area. Currently awaiting final vegetation on this project.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor has begun mile three of this seven-mile project and is currently reworking the flex base, placing geogrid and compacting areas for roadway rehabilitation and widening. The contractor will start rehab on the fourth mile soon, weather permitting. 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 begun road work and is currently placing seal coat material in the proposed turn lane widening section. The contractor will start surface course soon, weather permitting. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews in both Hunt and Rains County will be performing seal coat operations on FM 36, from FM 1564 to just north of Merit, Texas; and on FM 779, from FM 515 to the Wood County line. Crews will also be sweeping on US 69 between Lone Oak and Greenville as needed, and will continue doing safety spot-mowing operations as needed. 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 various sign installations, potholing 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.
###
Carry the Load To Pass Through Hopkins County Early May 29, 2021
Carry The Load, a nationwide relay that will end in Dallas, will be passing through Hopkins County this weekend in honor of Memorial Day. Any who would like to show their support are encouraged to bring flags to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Carry the Load was started in 2011 by Veteran U.S. Navy SEALs, Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley, as a way to honor and remember our nation’s heroes by connecting Americans to the sacrifices made by the military, veterans, first responders and their families, restoring the true meaning of Memorial Day.
The first event was a 20-hour, 11-minute memorial march on Memorial Day in Dallas. In 2012, a National Relay launched, starting at West Point and continuing to Dallas. In 2016, a West Coast Route was added, spanning from Seattle to Dallas. The next year, 19 states and 50 city rallies were involved. In 2019, a Midwest Route spanned from Minneapolis to Dallas, covering 40 states. Last year, the Mountain State Route was added, covering 46 states and increasing to more than 70 rallies.
The National Relay routes travel across the country for 32 consecutive days covering over 15,500 miles with four different routes handing off the American flag from city to city to honor our nation’s heroes.
The East Coast Relay was expected to make it to Franklin County tonight (May 28, 2021), and wind it’s way through Hopkins County in the morning (May 29, 2021). Carry the Load is expected to start at Hopkins County Courthouse at 5 a.m., head out down Main Street to CMH Road, then continue on the Interstate 30 west frontage road. They are projected to be at the Phillips gas station in Cumby at 7 a.m. The relay will continue, expected to be at US 67 at CR 3201 in Campbell at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 29, wind along FM 499 in Greenville to Greenville Farmers Market on Bois D’Arc Street in Greenville at 2 p.m. and on to the I-30 frontage road in front of Gibson Automotive in Greenville by 4 p.m. Saturday.
During the first 10 years of Carry the Load, $28.6 million has been raised, with more than 100,000 participants participating from all 50 states, as well as 28 other countries. That’s enough funding for 93.14 percent of all funds toward 100 education programs which support awareness of those who sacrifice for us daily, funds to help non-profit partners provide healing services for these warriors, and to inspire patriotism in youth by educating them about the American flag and the sacrifices made to honor .it.
Como-Pickton CISD Trustees Named TREA School Board Of The Year
Superintendent Greg Bower Friday night announced that the Como-Pickton CISD Board of Trustees have earned the distinction of being named School Board of the Year by the Texas Rural Education Association.
TREA is a statewide organization founded to improve advocacy for rural schools at the State Board of the Year for the State of Texas.
“They represent more than 400 rural school districts across the state, and among those, they chose our school district’s board of trustees to represent the achievement and values indicative of such an honor. What’s even more of an honor, our board of trustees continue to push our district to excel in academics and extracurricular activities while maintaining zero I&S tax debt to the community. Over the last several years, Como-Pickton CISD has become synonymous with success, and these outstanding board members are one of the underlying factors for it,” Dr. Bower said.
TREA in the announcement of this year’s educator awards, noted that the district has been instrumental in supporting efforts to increase student achievement in many ways. Over the last several years, CPCISD has improved from an accountability standpoint, become more competitive in UIL and other extracurricular activities reinstated. TREA also cited CP’s fiscal health, as the district has not I&S bet and one of the lowest tax rates in the state.
Bower describes the district as a beacon and flagship for other school districts around CPCISD.
The school board includes Shiloh Childress, Cole Boseman, Jim Murray, DJ Carr, Brittney Smith, Clif Carpenter, (and JJ Cummings.
Congratulations to the CPCISD School board on receiving this honor and the many achievements which resulted in TREA selecting them as the School Board of the Year.
Como-Pickton CISD Board of Trustees includes (from left Shiloh Childress, Cole Boseman, Jim Murray, DJ Carr, Brittney Smith, Clif Carpenter, and (not pictured) JJ Cummings
Texas Transportation Commission Names Marc Williams as New TXDOT Executive Director
| AUSTIN – The Texas Transportation Commission today selected Marc Williams as the Texas Department of Transportation’s new executive director. Williams, who has served as the agency’s deputy executive since 2016, will begin his new role June 1, 2021. Williams has worked at TxDOT since 2012, when he joined the department as director of planning, serving in that role until 2015, when he was appointed TxDOT’s interim deputy director. Prior to joining TxDOT, Williams’ career has included leadership roles with a variety of public and private sector organizations involved with the planning, development and implementation of transportation infrastructure projects across the United States. “Marc Williams has proven himself a well-respected leader in transportation in both Texas and at the national level,” said J. Bruce Bugg Jr., Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. “Marc brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities we face going forward and is an excellent person to lead the 12,000 women and men of TxDOT. TxDOT is in good hands.” “Leading this incredible department and serving the citizens of Texas is an honor,” Williams said. “I am looking forward to working side by side with the women and men of TxDOT, the Texas Transportation Commission and our transportation stakeholders as TxDOT continues its important mission of Connecting You with Texas.” Williams is a graduate of Texas A&M University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering. He is a registered professional engineer in Texas. Williams is the 22nd executive director for the department. For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700. |
| ### |
4 Arrested Following Church Street Traffic Stop
Over 4 Pounds Of Marijuana Found During I-30 Traffic Stop
Four people were arrested on possession charges during a Church Street traffic stop Wednesday afternoon and a Sulphur Springs man was jailed after deputies found more than 4 pounds of marijuana during an Interstate 30 traffic stop west of Sulphur Springs early Thursday morning.
Church Street Traffic Stop
Lilly Marie Crow 
Michael Alan Dyer 
Quentin Marcel White
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson stopped a white Chrysler 300 around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2021, for failing to stop at the stop sign before turning south on Church Street at Houston Street.
The car was driven into a parking lot in the 300 block of Church Street. The driver admitted she didn’t have a valid Texas driver’s license but claimed she did have a California license. When asked, Lilly Marie Crow told the deputy, who recognized her as someone who had been associated with narcotics use, that the only police record she had was for traffic offense. Believing her to be deceptive based on the prior information, the deputy asked but was refused permission to search the car.
HCSO Deputy Aaron Chaney arrived to assist, and the four in the car were instructed to get out while they waited for a deputy to arrive with a police canine. As they did, Chaney noticed a pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke methamphetamine in plain view next to the front passenger seat. The 20-year-old Edgewood woman, a 22-year-old Emory man, a 46-year-old Emory man and an 18-year-old Point man were placed into handcuffs while the deputies conducted a probable cause search of the car.
Deputies found a small bag of suspected methamphetamine was found in the cupholder. Chaney discovered additional suspected meth and drug paraphernalia on one of the men who’d occupied the back seat of the Chrysler. Neither driver nor passenger claimed the suspected contraband found in the front of the car. All four were placed into custody and transported by deputy Chaney to jail. The suspected contraband seized for further investigation and the car was impounded.
The substance found in the cupholder tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.542 gram, including packaging, while the suspected meth found on the back seat passenger also tested positive for meth and weighed 0.258 gram, the deputies alleged in arrest reports. Crow and two passengers, 22-year-old Quentin Marcel White of Emory and 18-year-old Michael Alan Dyer of Point were all arrested for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The third passenger, a 46-year-old Emory man, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputies allege the stop to have been within 1,000 feet of a a preschool, resulting in a drug-free zone enhancement on the controlled substance charges.
Crow and the 46-year-old Emory man were released from Hopkins County jail — Crow on Friday, May 28, 2021, on a $25,000 bond on the possession of less than Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug free zone charge and the older Emory man on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Dyer and White remained in jail Friday afternoon, May 28, 2021, Dyer in lieu of a $10,000 bond and White in lieu of a $25,000 bond, according to jail reports. The 46-year-old Emory man were released from jail on the paraphernalia charge on Thursday, May 27, 2021.
I-30 East Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Thomas Patterson stopped an eastbound black Ford Fusion around 6:50 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021, at mile marker 119 on I-30 east for traveling 80 miles per hour in a 75 mile per hour speed zone. As he approached the car, Patterson reported smelling an odor of unburned marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed 4.4 pounds of marijuana in a duffle bag in the car’s trunk, Patterson alleged in arrest reports.
The driver, 18-year-old Milique Fredrick Zirretta, allegedly confirmed the weight of the marijuana and admitted he was aware of its presence in the car. Consequently, the Sulphur Springs teen was taken into custody on the felony possession of 4 ounces, but less than 5 pounds of marijuana charge.
Zirretta was released from Hopkins County jail on Friday, May 28, 2021, on a $5,000 bond on the marijuana charge.
PJC Offering Free Coding Camp in Six Locations Over Summer
Paris Junior College has holding a special coding camp made possible by the Texas Workforce Commission at six locations during June, July and August.
Applications must be received by the PJC Continuing Education Department on Tuesday, June 1.
The college will be closed on Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day.
The free Coding Camp is for students entering the sixth, seventh, or eighth grades, or those who have completed eighth grade in the 2020-21 school year.
The camp will provide hands-on experiences to foster an interest in computer coding and programming.
Campers will be presented challenging and innovative concepts in learning, problem solving and analytical skills.
Enrollment is limited and priority is given to foster youth, students with disabilities, students from low income families, and students from populations underserved in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).
PJC received a $49,567 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission to provide curriculum to bring computer science science to life and teach real industry competency.
The six camps will accept 90 students who will become familiar with the basics of Arduino, Blockly, C++ and Python coding, Cyber Security, Raspberry Pi, drone systems, robotics, mechanical and electrical engineering and programming in a team-based environment.
“The growing demand for high-skilled technical workers means Texas must continue to attract more students into STEM fields,” said TWC Chairman Bryan Daniel. “Through programs like Camp Code, TWC remains committed to building a diverse workforce with the foundation in STEM necessary to keep our world class economy growing.”
Each camp will be held Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Students may be dropped off at 7:45 A.M. and picked up by 4:45 P.M. Transportation assistance is available upon request.
Camp dates and locations are:
- June 21-25, 2021
- PJC – Sulphur Springs Center
- June 28-July 2
- Cooper ISD
- July 12-16
- Paris Junior College, Paris campus
- July 19-23
- PJC – Greenville Center
- July 26-30
- Clarksville ISD Youth Connection
- August 2-6
- Quinlan ISD
To apply, a parent or guardian and the student must complete the application form and a parent or guardian must complete the Permission, Medical & Media Release Form. The forms are at https://www.parisjc.edu/downloads/Coding-Camp-App.pdf. Both must be returned by the deadline of June 1, 2021.
Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance; parents or guardians will be notified if their child has been selected. For questions or additional information, please contact 903-782-0447.
The application may be emailed to [email protected], faxed to 903-782-0443, or dropped off at the PJC Continuing Education Department in Paris or at the PJC-Greenville or PJC-Sulphur Springs by the June 1 deadline.
The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically.
For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.
To receive notifications about TWC programs and services subscribe to our email updates.
Grays Building Dedication Hosted Friday Morning, Official Ribbon Cutting Planned This Summer
Community members got their first good look into the new HW Grays Building in Pacific Park during a dedication in which a plaque inside the building was revealed.
“This is a project that we are really excited about. The [City] Council and I have been talking about this for a long time and anticipating this. We are so excited to see this beautiful structure come together,” said Sulphur Springs Mayor John Sellers at the May 28, 2021 event.
Sellers recalls HW Grays, for whom the building is named, to be a “kind wonderful man.” He said his first encounter with Grays was through involvement with the 4-H program. He noted it’s nice to being able to again name a community building such as “this beautiful structure” after Grays.
While there’s still some finishing work to be done – the roll up bay doors that open into the park have yet to arrive and be installed, and restroom fixtures and facilities, and kitchen counters and equipment yet to be installed. City officials and project managers said they are planning for a formal ribbon cutting on or around June 19, in time for the annual Juneteenth events held annually in Pacific Park.
City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that a painting of Grays is expected to be placed in in the building before the officials ribbon cutting ceremony this summer.
The plaque notes the H.W. Grays Building to be a property of the city of Sulphur Springs, lists May 28, 2021 as the date of dedication, the mayor and city council members, city manager and secretary, architect, and offers special thanks to the chief building official, public works director, city electrician and facilities management supervisor for their contributions to the project. City staff have poured part of the concrete walk nearest the road, with more to be completed around the grounds later.
“We don’t have nothing on this side of this caliber so this is probably the most extensive city structure on this side,” said Bridgette Cooper, who founded and has as president of the non-profit East End Allegiance: Our Youth, an organization created to empower youth to be self-sufficient and confident in their being through education, enrichment activities, training, and mentorship, and along with other community members, advocated for improvements to unsafe playground equipment and the Grays building in Pacific Park in the fall of 2018.
The next phase of the park improvement will be renovation of the actual grounds themselves, which a Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant will help fund. Plans are being finalized for park renovations. The first phase of the park improvement project was funded with bond funds authorized by tax payers, which will also pay for construction of a new senior citizens activity center and will be repaid using EDC funding.
Required SSISD Physicals for Athletes and Band Members Offered Free on June 1
All Sulphur Springs High School and Middle School athletes and band members must get a physical in order to participate during next school year.
The Sulphur Springs ISD is offering free physicals on Tuesday, June 1 at the High School Gym from 5:15 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Students must bring a completed and signed medical history or a parent.
Again required physicals for athletes and band members offered free on Tuesday, June 1 from 5:15 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the High School Gym.
Plano Man Arrested For Being Intoxicated In Court Hearing
A 35-year-old Plano man was arrested after allegedly being intoxicated in court, according to police reports.
The man was slated to appear in the the Hopkins County Court-At-Law at the 9 a.m. court session for a pretrial hearing on an Aug. 3, 2020, driving while intoxicated charge. However, the man appeared intoxicated when he arrived in the county courtroom for the hearing. He “was assumed to have driven to court intoxicated,” police noted in arrest reports.
The county court-at-law judge reportedly spoke with the man at 9:50 p.m., advised him his bond was revoked for DWI because of his level of intoxication and had him taken into custody at 10:19 a.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021. The 35-year-old Plano man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 11 a.m. for bond revocation on the DWI charge and for public intoxication.
Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton on Summer Camp, Middle School Soccer and The Edge for Soccer
Just before the end of the school year for SSHS teachers, Wildcats Soccer Coach and Teacher Alexi Upton wanted an opportunity to give an early plug for his SSISD Summer Soccer Camp coming up July 26-29 in the evening at the Multi-Purpose Building.
The camp is designed for boys and girls entering kindergarten through the 9th grade. Coach Upton said the kids get touches on the ball and learn passing, shooting and scoring while having fun.
He said instructors would include current coaches, former Wildcats and Lady Cats players and some former coaches. Cost is $50. Forms and info are available at the SSISD website. Campers can also get enrolled by showing up early the day of camp.
There will also be The Edge for Wildcats and Lady Cats’ athletes coming up this summer. The Edge runs for 6 weeks Mondays through Thursdays beginning June 7 and running through July 15.
It will be taking place for both groups from 8:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium. The Edge is designed for athletes entering 9th through the 12th grades.
The Edge is a strength and conditioning program that also has time daily for sports-specific skills work.
Coach Upton noted that he just got finished with some Middle School Soccer competitions. Sulphur Springs’ teams played squads from Longview, Pine Tree and Mount Pleasant. He said there was supposed to be a Middle School Tournament but it got rained out. Coach Upton said the Middle Schoolers faced some good competition.
He said camp and Middle School Soccer give him a chance to see some good kids coming his way in the future. Coach Upton, coming into his 4thyear as Head Wildcats Soccer Coach, said he has seen quite an increase in his number of soccer athletes adding he expects to have 70 to 75 on his Varsity and JV Teams next season.
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.
