Hopkins County Commissioners Court April 12 Meeting Agenda
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING
TIME: 9:00 A.M.
DATE: Monday, April 12, 2021
PLACE: In The Commissioners’ Courtroom On The First Floor Of The Hopkins County Courthouse Located At
118 Church St., Sulphur Springs, TX.
I. Invocation
II. Pledge Of Allegiance To The Flag
- AMERICAN FLAG
- TEXAS FLAG:
The Following Items Will Be Considered By Commissioners’ Court For Discussion And/Or Action:
The Court May Go Into Executive Session To Discuss Legal And/Or Personnel Matters.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
- The Court To Declare A Quorum.
- Consent Agenda.
- Approve Previous Meeting Minutes.
- Approval Of Utility Easements, Burial Of Telephone Cables And Construction Of Water Distribution Facilities:
- The Court To Consider And Approve A Request From Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. To Construct Electrical Power Distribution Facilities Which Will Cross County Road 1168 Which Is Located 610 Feet West Of CR 1164 In Precinct 1.
- The Court To Consider And Approve A Request From Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. To Construct Electrical Power Distribution Facilities Which Will Cross County Road 2415 Which Is Located 68 Feet South Of CR 2420 In Precinct 2.
- The Court To Consider And Approve A Request From Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc. To Construct Electrical Power Distribution Facilities Which Will Cross County Road 3565 Which Is Located 1229 Feet South Of CR 3566 in Precinct 3.
- The Court To Consider And Approve A Request From Gafford Chapel Water Supply To Construct A 2 Inch Water Line On The West Right-Of-Way Of CR 4730 Which Is Located 1100 Feet South Of The Intersection Of CR 4728 And CR 4730 In Precinct 4.
- The Court To Consider Citizens Comments.
- Other County Business.
- The Court To Consider And Approve The Outside Audit Performed By Rutledge, Crain & Company, PC.
- The Court To Acknowledge John Beadle, Constable Of Precinct 2 For Successfully Completing 40 Hours Of Educational Training Through The Course – Newly Elected Constables TCOLE #3742 Held March 8-12, 2021 And 8 Hours Of The Court Security Officer TCOLE Course 10999 Held March 29, 2021.
- The Court To Consider And Approve The Repairs/Replacement Of The HVAC Located At The Hopkins County Courthouse.
- The Court To Consider And Approve A Proposal For A Building Consulting Firm For County Buildings.
- The Court To Consider Approving Budget Amendments And Line Item Transfers.
- The Court Will Consider And Act On Payment Of Bills, Revenues And Expenses, Payroll And Financial Statements.
- The Court To Consider Approving Grants.
- The Court To Consider Accepting Donations.
- The Court To Consider Contracts.
- The Court To Consider And Approve A Chapter 381 Agreement Between Hopkins County And Bright Arrow Solar, LLC.
- The Court To Make It A Matter Of Record The Payment Of The Fixed License Fee In Accordance With The December 1, 2020 Agricultural License Agreement Between Hopkins County And The City Of Sulphur Springs.
- The Court To Consider And Approve A Lease Agreement Community Internet Providers, LLC And Hopkins County.
- The Court Will Consider And Act On Personnel Matters.
- The Court To Consider Disposal Of Asset Request.
- The Court To Approve Resolutions And Proclamations.
- The Court To Consider And Approve The Resolution – Opposition To Senate Bill 234/House Bill 749.
- The Court To Consider And Take Action Regarding The Appointment Of Two Members Of The Board Of Directors Of The Northeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation.
- The Court To Adjourn.
Lady Lions Softball Loses to Detroit, 19-9
The Saltillo Lady Lions softball team could not hold a seven run lead and lost to Detroit, 19-9 on Friday, Apr. 9.
Saltillo was able to overcome an early 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the first by scoring nine runs of their own to take a 9-2 lead going in to the second inning. Neither team scored a run in the second.
In the third, though, Detroit had a nine-run inning of their own, turning a seven run deficit in to a two-run, 11-9 lead. The visiting Eagles scored six more runs in their next at-bat in the bottom of the fourth to make it 17-9 over the Lady Lions.
Detroit added on two more runs in their last at-bat in the top of the seventh en route to a big, 19-9 come-from-behind win over the Saltillo Lady Lions softball team.
After scoring nine of the first 11 runs in the game, Saltillo managed to get outscored 17-0 over the next eight innings.
In hitting, Julianna Giles was 1 for 4 with one walk. Pasley Kastner was 1 for 2 with a walk as well. Maddy Smith went 1 for 3 at the plate and managed to get walked. Regan Speir was 0 for 0 at the plate, the reason for that being that she was walked four separate times by Detroit pitching. Lady Lion Calli Morris ended up batting 1 for 3 on the night with one walk.
With the loss, Saltillo’s overall record slips to 3-5 (3-0 district). Next up, Saltillo will be back at home on Tuesday, Apr. 13 to take on Fruitvale.
That game is set to tee-off at 4:30 P.M.
Kentucky Man Arrested Following Friday Night Pursuit Also Charged With Aggravated Assault
The 31-year-old Louisville, Kentucky man arrested Friday night, after allegedly striking an Arkansas State Police patrol vehicle and leading authorities on a slow I-30 pursuit which began in Hope, Arkansas and concluded near Cumby in Hopkins County, remained in Hopkins County jail Sunday afternoon. In addition to the Hopkins County evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge he was booked into jail for on April 9, ,Mohammedali Ahmedin has seince been charged and is being held for Miller County, Arkansas authorities on an aggravated assault charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies were made aware an Arkansas State Police and Texas Department of Public Safety units were actively pursuing a green Freightliner semi traveling west on Interstate 30, approaching Hopkins County around 8 p.m. April 9, 2021. When the vehicle pursuit crossed into Franklin-Hopkins County line at mile marker 142, HCSO deputies joined in, taking lead on the pursuit which included a long line of law enforcement vehicles from more than one county and at least two states. all traveling west behind the semi with lights on, attempting to get the semi to stop, according to arrest and sheriff’s reports.
While those deputies were actively engaged in the slow I-30 pursuit, other deputies got ahead of the chase and deployed stop sticks at the 138 mile marker as well as the 131 mile marker on I-30, with positive results both times. Motorists traveling on I-30 during that time reported seeing what appeared to be damage to the highway where the truck struck the pavement sans a tire between it and the metal wheel.
However, the truck driver continued evading authorities at rates of speed reported to remain between 50 and 60 miles per hour, despite two front tires that had gone completely flat and six of the flat bed trailer’s eight rear tires being flat as well. The truck driver drove “very aggressively” toward vehicles on the road as well as patrol units that attempted to block exits and deploy additional stop sticks, HCSO deputies alleged in arrest reports.
The Friday night pursuit concluded when the slow rolling truck crashed into the center median at the 113 mile marker on I-30 west. HCSO Deputy Chris Baumann and Sgt. Scott Davis, along with the officers in the fleet of law enforcement vehicles that’d been pursuing the green semi, approached and contacted the driver of the crash Freightliner. Officers took Mohammedali Ahmedin into custody at 9:03 p.m. April 9 and placed him into Baumann’s patrol vehicle for transport to Hopkins County jail.
The Arkansas State Police advised that the initial pursuit began when the semi failed to stop after involvement in a hit and run crash in Hope, Arkansas. The driver of the truck in the slow I-30 Friday night pursuit also allegedly struck an Arkansas State Police patrol unit with his vehicle during the chase.
Ahmedin allegedly told police “Allah instructed him to complete the criminal acts,” Baumann wrote in arrest reports.
Davis and Baumann transported the 31-year-old Louisville, Kentucky man to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked at 10:22 p.m. Friday, April 9, on a felony evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge. Ahmedin, who is also known as Mohammedali Suleman Ahmedin, has since had a Miller County, Arkansas (where Texarkana is partially located) aggravated assault charge added to the list of offenses he is accused of. The 31-year-old Kentucky man was being held in Hopkins County jail Sunday afternoon, April 11, 2021, 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.
Meal A Day Menu For April 12-16, 2021
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center reopens this week, after being closed for more than a year due to COVID-19 precautions. Thanks to all of the volunteers who continued to donate their time on weekdays to prepare and deliver meals to shut-in elderly and senior adults in the community during the closure.
The Meal A Day Menu for April 12-16, 2021, includes:
- Monday – Beef Spaghetti, Italian Vegetables and Garlic Toast
- Tuesday – King Ranch Casserole, Corn and Pinto Beans
- Wednesday – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll
- Thursday – BBQ Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Beans and a Roll
- Friday – Sliced Ham, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw and a 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.
19 Commerce Tigers Field Qualify for Area Meet at District Meet Last Week
The Commerce Tigers track and field team won the 12-3A district meet held Apr. 7-9 in Rains, TX.
Not only did the varsity leave the meet district champions, but so too did the junior varsity. The varsity won the district meet after accumulating 173.5 points, almost 50 points above second place Paris Chisum.
The JV fared even better, winning the 12-3A district meet held in Rains after beating second place Emory Rains by 32 points. The Tigers’ JV track and field team finished with 172 points.
Preliminary qualifiers took place on Wednesday. The finals for the district 12-3A meet took place on Thursday and Friday. Athletes or teams who were able to finish in the top four in their respective events in the finals moved on to participate in the district meet that will be held next week.
Oliver Roberts and Jovani Castanada both qualified for area in the 3200M run after finishing first and fourth, respectively. Sacramento Galvan narrowly missed out in fifth. Omarhi Davis was able to qualify in long jump after snatching second.
The Tigers managed to get the second through fourth places in shot put, as Richard Jackson got second, followed by Anton Stapleton and Davis who were all able to qualify.
Davis also managed to move on to area in the discuss event, and he will be joined by Jayston Jones who finished fourth. Ty Hoffman got sixth in high jump.
And now on to the final day of events, held on Friday. Starting with varsity, Jaydon Harris placed fifth in the 100M dash. Ashton Seale and Aidan Crowder were both able to qualify for area after placing second and third in the event. Enrique Morales qualified in the 400M dash after finishing bronze.
Morales also qualified in the 800M run after snatching second, but he was not alone in that regard in the event, as Oliver Roberts and Isaac Hernandez rounded out the top four to qualify as well. Roberts qualified for area in the 1600M run after winning the event. Jovani Castenada finished fifth.
Roberts again qualified for an event, this time the 3200M run, but Jovani Castenada will be joining him after getting fourth. Galvan narrowly missed out, placing fifth. Ty Hoffman qualified for area in both the 110 and 300M hurdle events after getting third in both events. J’den Wilson did manage to to win the 300M hurdles, though.
The Tiger team of Seale, Edgar Castillo, Carlos Aubrey and Da’shawn Jackson will be moving on to area in the 4x100M relay after taking bronze in the event. Commerce fared even better in the 4×200 and 4x400M relays, as the Tigers got second in both events. That came thanks to the Tiger teams of Seale, Crowder, Castillo, and Jackson in the 4×200 and Castillo, Hernandez, Crowder and Morales in the 4x400M relays.
Coach Cameron Warren, men’s track and field coach at Commerce, said it was a great two days.
“[The Tigers] won the Varsity and the JV District championships, so that gives [Commerce] the clean sweep on every level.”
The seventh and eighth grade men’s track and field teams from Commerce were also able to win their district meets. Coach Warren said he was extremely proud of all his kids.
While the Commerce coach was extremely congratulate of his team, he was not quite ready to celebrate yet. The track coach said “It’s been a fun and exciting year and we still have a lot of work to do to prepare for our next meet.”
Next up, 19 Commerce Tigers will be competing in the area track meet held next Wednesday, Apr. 14 in Rains.
PJC Hosts Annual Giving Day Apr. 27
On April 27, 2021 Paris Junior College will join over 195 nonprofit organizations throughout north and east Texas as part of East Texas Giving Day.
East Texas Giving Day is an 18-hour online event that provides critical funding for our area. The purpose of an area-wide Giving Day is to bring the region together on one day and as one community, raising money and awareness for local needs.
“Thanks to donor assistance, it has become very accessible to further my professional skills while working two full time jobs so that I can advance in my industry, ultimately to make a better life for myself in the future,” said PJC education major Jaicey Pruett of Paris.
On April 27, from 6 a.m. to midnight, PJC alumni, former students, friends, businesses, and everyone with a passion to help others are invited to make a gift, large or small, at www.easttexasgivingday.org/pjc to invest in the lives of PJC students. By logging in at this web address, your gift is directed specifically to PJC.
“Gifts to PJC will go to the greatest needs fund,” PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin said.
The PJC President said “In challenging times like these, the basic needs of PJC students continue to grow and we want to assist our students in reaching their goals.”
Gifts are tax deductible and may be made with a cell phone, iPad, desktop computer, laptop computer, or any device with internet accessibility at the website listed. If preferred, a check may be mailed to Baleigh McCoin, PJC East Texas Giving Day, 2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, TX 75460-6258. Gifts from local donors or cash gifts may be made by contacting McCoin at 903-782-0276 or [email protected].
The college will use its social media channels to encourage East Texas Giving Day participation and is asking those who use social media to like, share, or forward messages to help spread the word, or forward emails about the campaign to their friends.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Wildcats Baseball Team Gets Come From Behind Win Over McKinney North on Saturday
After falling behind 2-0 early, the Wildcats Baseball Team rallied for 5 straight runs to defeat McKinney North, 5-2 on the road in a non-district game Saturday.
Wildcats Coach Jerrod Hammack likes the Saturday games because he can take a look at some of his other pitchers and some bench players that see limited time on the field during district. Several players surely made an impression Saturday in McKinney.
Jake Armstrong started for the Wildcats and pitched the first three innings and allowed only 3 hits and 2 runs while striking out 3 and walking 4.
Dawson Carpenter, who got the win, was very impressive in relief tossing the final 4 innings allowing only 2 hits and no runs while striking out 4 and walking 2. Trailing 2-0 going into the top of the fourth, the Wildcats tied the game with 2 runs. Kaden Wallace got the big blow with a triple that drove in the runs.
The Wildcats went ahead to stay scoring 3 runs in the top of the sixth. Carson Fenton drove in the lead run with a ground out. Reese Rabe and Griffin Crawford also had RBI’s in the inning. Wallace went 1 for 3 and scored a run to go with with his triple and 2 RBI’s. Rabe was 1 for 3 with a double and a run to go with his RBI. Crawford was 1 for 3 with a double to go with his RBI. Mayer Millsap was 1 for 3 with a run scored, 2 stolen bases and a walk. Matthew Singleton was 1 for 4 and he scored a run. Aiken Owens scored a run and drew a walk. Matthew Mitchell contributed a sacrifice. Both teams had 5 hits and committed 2 errors.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 9-13. The Wildcats will host a rematch between the two teams at Wildcat Park next Saturday at noon. The Wildcats resume district play Tuesday night as Texas High comes to town. The Wildcats are in a second place tie in district with a 5-3 record.
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.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of April 12, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of April 12, 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 exit ramp for Houston and Lamar Streets (SH 56) is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the Park Avenue exit ramp. 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 Houston/Lamar Street (SH 56) exit. The southbound Washington Street exit ramp is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the North Travis Street exit. The northbound frontage road from South Travis Street to near Park Avenue is closed for crews to work on building the remaining portion of the retaining wall along US 75 at the South Travis Street intersection. This section of frontage road is tentatively scheduled to reopen to traffic on April 19, along with the South Travis Street approach. Until then, traffic is requested to use US 75 mainlanes during this closure. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
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.
Beginning on Monday, April 26, northbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road near West Staples Street and transition back to existing mainlanes near West Cherry Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Center 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. This traffic configuration will remain in place for approximatively 14 months.
Prior to the northbound US 75 mainlane traffic switch, all east- and westbound lanes of Center Street under US 75 will be closed to traffic beginning at 7 a.m. on April 21. This closure is necessary to complete work in preparation of the mainlane detour. 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
- Detour for the Center Street closure at US 75: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIMoHaqAFGg
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 84, Grayson County: from FM 406 to SH 91. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to pave the roadway.
FM 697, Grayson County: from SH 11 to FM 2729. 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 and Thursday during the daytime.
FM 697, Grayson County: between FM 2729 and US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 121, Grayson County: between SH 289 and FM 3356. 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, while crews work on the inside lane to build crossovers and turn lanes and overlay the future left lane. 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 56, Fannin County: from Loop 205 in Bonham to US 82 in Honeygrove. 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.
SH 154, Hopkins County: From 0.315 miles north of FM 1567 to 0.195 miles south of CR 1104. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews begin work on rehabilitation of the roadway.
SH 19, Hopkins County: From Loop 301 to Delta County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffics delays as crews begin upgrading guardrail.
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.
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 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.
SH 276, Hunt County, from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass): The contractor has placed project barricades and currently prepping and clearing the right-of-way. Preliminary bridge work has begun with the first of several drill shafts being placed, this work should not affect existing traffic on SH 34 or SH 276.
FM 499, Hunt County: at Lynn Creek. Road closures began on Nov. 30 and will continue throughout the duration of this project. The contractor will begin finishing bridge surface work and begin the project stripping.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor has begun scarifying, reworking, rolling, watering and compacting areas for 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 prepping the right-of-way for this project. Roadwork will begin as flexbase is delivered and placed for the widening section of roadway. Two message boards were installed on Feb. 23. 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 pothole repairs, mowing and metal beam guard fence repairs around the county, and removing debris from I-30 this week. Maintenance crews will sweep US 69 between Greenville and Lone Oak. Crews will be fixing roadway edge conditions at various locations on I-30 frontage roads. Maintenance crews plan to continue repairing potholes at various locations in 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 performing seal coat prep on FM 1567. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway, and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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Sulphur Springs Man Jailed For Third Time In Less Than A Year
A 40-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed for the third time in less than a year, after police found in a him with marijuana and suspected methamphetamine in a parking lot Friday morning, according to arrest reports.
While patrolling in the area, Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman reported driving up on a Chevrolet Cruze parked with windows down on Buford Circle not far from the railroad tracks. Although from a distance it appeared to be unoccupied, a closer look as he walked up revealed a man who appeared to be asleep in the driver’s seat. It took several attempts trying to awaken the man before he responded, Hoffman noted in arrest reports.
The officer reported seeing a pipe that appeared to have been used to smoke marijuana in the passenger’s seat while taking to the man identified in arrest reports as Jeramie Jermaine Smith. While picking up his ID, he also reportedly picked up a clear container with suspected marijuana in it. He allegedly handed it over when asked to do so, then admitted he’d smoked marijuana then fell asleep, Hoffman wrote in arrest reports.
When he patted Smith down, Hoffman alleged feeling an object in Smith pocket which the 40-year-old Sulphur Springs man admitted was the kind of pipe used to smoke methamphetamine. A search of the vehicle also revealed a pouch with a crystal-like substance Hoffman believed to be methamphetamine inside of it, the SSPD officer alleged in arrest reports.
Consequently, Hoffman took Smith into custody just before 10 a.m. April 9, 2021, and had the green sedan towed from the location. Smith was booked into Hopkins County jail around 12:45 p.m. Friday on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge. He remained in Hopkins County jail late Saturday morning, April 10, 2021, on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Friday was the four time Smith has been booked into Hopkins County jail and jailed for the third time in less than a year, jail records show. Smith was first arrested Dec. 9, 2019 for violation of parole, and remained in jail until Jan. 23, 2020 on the charge. He returned to jail from July 11-21, 2020 on a violation of parole charge. Most recently, he spent the night Jan. 23, 2021 in jail on a criminal trespass charge, after police found him at an East Industrial Drive apartment complex for which he’d previously been issued a warning, prohibiting him from legally returning, according to jail and arrest reports.
North Hopkins Baseball Team Struggles With Como-Pickton Again Friday
Only the venue changed Friday (April 9) as North Hopkins and Como-Pickton played their second game this week, this time at Como-Pickton.
The Eagles got another lopsided win, this time by the score of 15-0. Friday the Panthers managed to get 1 hit but they committed 6 errors.
The Eagles had 7 hits and they scored in all three innings they came to bat. They scored 1 run in the first and 7 more runs in the second and the third inning. The game ended after 3 ½ innings. Gaven Buccieri got the Panthers hit, a single.
Carson Mathis got the pitching loss and Landry Brackeen also pitched for North Hopkins.
Christian Gilbreath picked up the win for the Eagles allowing only the 1 hit and no runs while striking out 4. Gilbreath was 1 for 2 at the plate with 2 RBI’s 3 runs, 2 walks and a double. Jackson Monk had 2 RBI’s and scored 2 runs, and Flemens was 1 for 2 with an RBI, a run, a double, a walk and 2 stolen bases.
Kevin Hernandez was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI’s and a run. Dalton Morgan was 1 for 3 with an RBI, a run and a double. Maverick Asbery was 1 for 2 with an RBI, a run and a walk. Kobie Wright was 1 for 1 with an RBI, 2 runs, 2 walks, a double and a stolen base. Taylor Ford was 1 for 3 with 2 runs and a stolen base. C. Thomas scored 2 runs, had 3 walks and stole 2 bases.
