Paris District Road Report for the Week of July 12, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of July 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, bridges, 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 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 mainlanes south of North Travis Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes 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. 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 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.
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.
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.
FM 131, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 691. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 84, Grayson County: between US 75 and FM 406. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. 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.
FM 274, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to SH 78. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a seal coat to the roadway.
FM 896, Fannin County: from US 69 in Leonard to Business SH 121 in Randolph. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a fog seal to the roadway.
FM 2645, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to FM 898. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs to the roadway.
FM 68, Fannin County: from FM 271 to SH 34. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs to 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.
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.
FM 3389, Hopkins County: From IH 30 to FM 1567. 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.
BU 82J, Red River County: Between Travis Street and Columbia Street in Clarksville. The road will be closed and a marked detour will be in place while crews replace a cross drainage structure, install drainage inlets, and reconstruct the roadway and sidewalk in this area.
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 temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to the 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 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 placed project barricades. The contractor has begun drainage work on several culverts and installed safety end treatments 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. Roadway construction affecting closures on Spur 264 has begun, this work will affect through-traffic between Meyers Avenue to County Road 2304. 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 four of this seven-mile project and is currently reworking the 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 the two-inch asphalt overlay and will begin placing guardrail and striping, weather permitting. 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 overlay operations on SH 11 between FM 2655 and FM 1563, near Wolfe City. Maintenance crews will also be performing edge repair on FM 71 from BUS 11 to Delta County. Contract mowers will be operating on I-30 throughout the week. Maintenance crews will also be sweeping on US 69 between Lone Oak and Greenville as needed. Maintenance contract crews will be performing debris removal on I-30 and guard rail repair at various locations around Hunt County. Maintenance crews will also be performing roadway patch repairs on FM 47 from FM 2324 to SH 276, and on SH 276 from FM 36 to the Rockwall County line. 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 repairing base spot repair on FM 47 between US 69 and SH 276. Crews will be overlaying and repairing low spots on SH 276. Crews 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.
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CHRISTUS Pharmacist Melissa Maeker Talks About Vaccines
Because people in the local community have voiced questions about the COVID vaccine, boosters and other COVID-related topics, KSST reached out to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs for the latest news. Holly Ragan, who is Senior Market Development Coordinator for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs, set up a Good Morning Show interview with CHRISTUS Pharmacy Supervisor Melissa Maeker. Good Morning Show host Enola Gay visited with Melissa on Friday July 9, 2021 covering an array of topics.
“We are all hearing about a rise in COVID cases a bit on the news right now, and we are hearing mentions of the new Delta variant strain. However, at CHRISTUS, we are finding that persons who are now struggling or hospitalized with COVID symptoms are persons who have not received either the Moderna or Pfizer 2-dose vaccine,” stated Melissa. “Those who have received both doses of their vaccines are not among the new COVID cases we are seeing. As the CDC, the medical world and health professionals watch with interest, it appears that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are both holding well against the Delta variant strain of COVID. As we knew, these vaccines offered an approximate 95% protection rate from COVID illness. And that’s an excellent rate of protection for any kind of vaccine. Thus, it’s encouraging to note that as the months have passed since the vaccines were introduced, both types of 2-dose series are showing strong resistance to the Delta variant, which has become the dominant variant at this time.”
On the subject of people possibly needing to show proof of their vaccine, Melissa mentioned that at this time, proof is not being required for most travelers. However, it’s a good idea to keep your vaccination card safe and secure. Store it with your important papers, and since the paper card could be tampered with, it’s best to keep it in a secure place unless needed. In the US, each state has utilized their own software registry on vaccinated residents. Texas utilizes ImmTrac, which is also used for childhood immunization registry. On the subject of travel outside the US continent, it may best for un-vaccinated travelers to check regulations at your destination for possible quarantine while awaiting negative test results.
Regarding return to school this Fall, Melissa stated public schools in Texas are not requiring proof of vaccine, and neither are most colleges. “I know of three in the state of Texas which are requiring proof of vaccination, and they are all private universities. One is Rice, and there’s St. Edwards and Paul Quinn College plus another handful across the nation. One reason may be that at this time, the vaccine does not carry final FDA approval. However, all colleges are encouraging students to get the vaccine before entering”.
Melissa also touched briefly on the current RSV virus precautions now being observed at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. “There is an upsurge in young children age 3 and under being affected by RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It is contagious and easily spread among young children. Earlier in the summer, our hospital had relaxed it’s visitation rules to allow more than one person visiting a patient. However, that rule was revised on July 1, 2021 to discourage visitation in the OB/GYN area by children under the age of 3 years. That change came with the reminder that masks are still required throughout the CHRISTUS Mother Frances-Sulphur Springs facility”.
Melissa Patterson Maeker is a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School Class of 1989. She entered college at East Texas State University, then transferred to UT Austin to earn her degree. Initially, she worked at Methodist Medical Center and UT Southwest Health Center in the Metroplex, then she and husband Jeff made their home in the Tyler area. Following a period of semi-retirement, she was hired for the position of Pharmacy Supervisor with CHRISTUS in Sulphur Springs. She and her family plan to move back “home” to Sulphur Springs in the coming months. You can see the Good Morning Show Interview with Melissa on the KSST Youtube channel.
1 Jailed On A Warrant For Bond Violation, 2 On Warrants For Probation Violation
One Sulphur Springs man was jailed on a warrant for bond violations and two on warrants for violating probation, according to July 7-9 arrest reports.
Leeroy Cecilio Luna surrendered himself at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 1:40 a.m. July 7, 2021, and was taken into custody by HCSO Officer Mark Poindexter. The 33-year-old Sulphur Springs man was booked at 2:15 a.m. Wednesday for bond forfeiture on an aggravated assault with a deadly order charge.
According to jail records, Luna was held in Hopkins County jail Friday, July 9. His new bond on the charges was set at $70,000. Luna was arrested Jan. 9, 2021, on that aggravated assault charge after allegedly making a threat with a knife at a North Davis Street location. He was indicted in March 2021 on the felony assault charge in March.
He also has on his record a local arrest on Feb. 3, 2014, another aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.
Lanny Dale Hill also turned himself in at HCSO Thursday night. The 55-year-old Sulphur Springs man was escorted into the jail by Deputy Nick Marney. He was booked into jail at 10 p.m. July 8, 2021, on a warrant for violating his probation on June 23, 2021.
Hill was on probation for a Feb. 12, 2019, aggravated assault of a date, family or household member charge; he was accused of chasing a female into a bedroom and threatening to kill her while holding a hammer raised as if to strike her.
He was held in the county jail Friday, July 9, 2021, without bond, according to jail reports. July 8 marked the second time Hill has been jailed for violating probation on the charge; he too was in the county jail Jan. 13-March 2, 2020 for a probation violation on the aggravated assault charge.
(HCSO jail photo)
Christopher Joe Gomez was taken into custody at 10:45 a.m. Thursday at Daniels Unit of Texas Department of Corrections and transported to Hopkins County jail. Deputy Thompson escorted the 30-year-old into the county jail, where he was booked at 5 p.m. July 8, 2021, on a bench warrant for violating probation, which he was on for an unlawful possession of a firearm by felon charge. Gomez, who is also known by Christopher Ernest Gomez and Christopher Joernest Gomez, was held in Hopkins County jail on the charge Friday afternoon, July 9, 2021.
Thursday was the third time Gomez has been in custody at the local jail on charges related to the firearm charge. He was previously jailed Dec. 31, 2018 to March 8, 2019 on a warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon; and April 10-July 7, 2020, for violating probation on the charge.
Youth Basketball Camp on Deck Next Week
New Wildcats basketball coach Brandon Shaver will be leading the charge for SSISD’s youth basketball camp that will be held next week.
The camp runs the second week of July and will last four days from July 12-15 (Monday through Thursday).
The basketball camp will be run by Wildcats HC Brandon Shaver and is welcome to students ranging from entering kindergarteners to eighth grade.
Sessions will run in the afternoon, from 5 P.M. to 6 P.M. for students entering kindergarten through the fourth grade.
After the youth session is over, Coach Shaver and his staff will shift to working with late elementary and middle school students, with that session running from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. for students entering the fifth through eighth grade.
Coach Shaver said in a recent interview that he sees a lot of promise and talent, especially in the middle schoolers.
He attributed the desire for success in the younger students to Coach Clark Cipoletta, former Wildcats basketball HC and new head coach of the Allen Eagles, for the work he did over the past several seasons in instituting a winning program with high expectations.
The new Wildcats basketball coach will have a full, front-and-center look at exactly what the future may look like for Wildcats basketball next week when he leads the charge in the boys basketball camp held next week at the Sulphur Springs High School Main Gym.
The cost of the camp is $50 and is welcome to boys of (almost) all ages.
Registration for the camp can be found here.
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.
Sulphur Springs ISD Community Asked To Weigh In On ESSER III Fund Use Plan
The Sulphur Springs ISD community is asked to take a little time to weigh in on an ESSER III fund use plan.
SSISD applied for its allocation, $7,984,629, of the $11.2 billion appropriated to the State of Texas for public education purposes under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act through the ESSER III Fund. Funds may be spent for costs incurred March 13, 2020 – September 30, 2024.
The ESSER III funding must meet one of 15 identified acceptable uses. At least 20 percent of the use must be used for evidence-based interventions, such as summer learning, extended day comprehensive after-school programs, or extended school year programs; and to ensure interventions respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address disproportionate impact of coronavirus on student populations as defined in ESEA, Title I, Part A; students experiencing homelessness; and youth in foster care.
Among the primary uses more thoroughly outlined on the district website, are spending for prevention and mitigation strategies; addressing academic impact through evidence-based interventions; and monitoring and ensuring the success of evidence based interventions. Funding remaining after that is earmarked for expenditures for retention/ recruitment stipends for district staff, Linewize classroom monitoring software, an additional social worker, and funding for utilities.
Texas Education Agency guidance on the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III (ESSER III) Fund application process references public notice for all federal grant applications before the District submits an application to TEA. To meet this requirement, SSISD provided its application summary and plan for use of funds as an information item during the June 14, 2021 Board meeting. SSISD now has posted the DRAFT ESSER III Use of Funds Plan for further public comment.
Sulphur Springs Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams today is asking community members to go to the school website and review SSISD’s draft for ESSER III Use of Funds and Continuity of Services plans. Click here to access it.
“As an SSISD community member, your input would be most welcome. Please send your questions or comments to [email protected],” Williams stated in a notices sent out at noon Friday, July 9, 2021.
Melissa (McVay) Darling Still Missing And, After 10 Years, Legally Declared Deceased
July 9, 2021 – In a hearing unlike those typically held in a Hopkins County Courtroom, Judge Robert Newsom granted a petition officially declaring Melissa Ann Darling, the missing 33-year-old woman known as Melissa Ann McVay as deceased. These types of cases are so rarely handled here that the judge and attorney in the case reportedly researched the matter to ensure the proper procedure was followed and that all requirements were met.
Darling’s mother, Retta Murphy, requested that her daughter be declared dead after 10 years. No one has heard from nor have any remains been identified as Melissa Darling.
Both Murphy and Sulphur Springs Police Department Det. Sgt. David Gilmore, the lead detective who has remained on the case for the last 10 years, said based on the lack of contact and physical evidence, they believe Darling to be dead. Attorney M.J. Trusty noted that Darling has been missing for three years longer than the statute requires.
Gilmore testified that he was assigned the case about a week after police listed Darling as missing. He took over from the SSPD Special Crimes Unit investigators. Darling was last confirmed to have been seen alive at 1:30 a.m. June 10, 2011, leaving a casino in Grant, Oklahoma, following a man as he drove away from the casino. A call was made from her phone around 1:50 a.m. to a man who lives about 1 mile from the casino. There’s been no confirmed contact or known activity from Darling since that time.
Det. Sgt. Gilmore testified Friday, July 9, 2021, that he worked with officials in several Texas counties from Hopkins County into southeastern Oklahoma and has even worked with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations. The day after her took over the case, Darling’s vehicle was located in Hugo, Oklahoma. He drove there to work with state authorities as well as 40 officers and volunteer firefighters. At one point a section along the Red River was searched. Concessions were made to allow water levels to go down so officials could search the river. Darling’s body has never been located.
Texas Rangers, Homeland Security, Social Security and officials from numerous other agencies have been involved in the investigation, but there has been no confirmed traces of Darling’s existence since June 10, 2011. Her dental records and DNA have been entered into state and national databases for missing persons, with a few possible hits that did not pan out. Cadaver dogs have even been used during the searches. Gilmore said in addition to following up on any leads or tips that have come in over the past 10 years he has also checked into any reports in which deceased or unidentified people or remains have been found. For instance a skull found about 20 miles downstream from where her vehicle was located was run through a database but was determined by forensics science to be that of a Native American person believed to have lived long ago.
The tips, 2-3 a year and usually all second or third-hand information, have been followed as far as the information would take investigators, Gilmore said. At least 50 people have been questioned and several subjected to polygraph tests administered by the Secret Service. Gilmore said he has exhausted every lead and possible scrap of information that he has received and uncovered regarding Darling. Based on the last known sighting, lack of any communication from Darling with her family, which includes two children, and lack of any trace of activity from her, Gilmore said he believes the woman to be dead.
Murphy requested that her daughter be legally declared dead. Melissa Darling did not own any property that will require probation. Melissa Daring’s two kids currently live with their fathers. This should allow Darling’s two children, ages 16 and 11 now, to be eligible to receive Social Security benefits.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom granted Murphy’s request. Melissa Darling will be declared deceased as of June 10, 2011, at 1:50 a.m.
Since there is no body, the place of death is unknown. Her death certificate will show Hopkins County as her place of death. Hopkins County is where she lived and where the case was filed.
Darling was a week shy of her 34th birthday when she disappeared. While she has been declared dead, Darling’s information remains in the missing person’s databases and the case remains open.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Hicks: Youth Skills Camp Announcement
The Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is providing the 2021 Youth Skills Camp for students going into grades 6 and 7 in the fall semester.
The camp will include hands-on, interactive sessions, and is free of charge. Topics and dates are:
Monday, July 19: Fun with Foods assisted by Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers. In this session, campers will learn to read a recipe, measure ingredients, learn about food safety and cross contamination, hand hygiene, and more.
Working in groups, campers will prepare an entire meal and enjoy consuming it!
Tuesday, July 20: Public Speaking/Impromptu Speaking will include group activities and creative thinking
Wednesday, July 21: Horticulture will be led by Hopkins County Master Gardeners.
This hands-on session will include nice give-aways.
To register, contact Johanna Hicks at the Hopkins County Extension Office, 903-885-3443.
Participation is limited to the first 15 students. All sessions will take place at the Hopkins County Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs.
City Awarded Grant to Help Construct Outdoor Fitness Court At Pacific Park
Stock Donated To Help Fund Senior Citizens Center Project
Sulphur Springs officials this week reported both good and bad news regarding the planned senior citizens center project, and good news regarding the Pacific Park project as well. While the bid for the pre-engineered metal frame for the new Senior Citizens building was much high than city officials had anticipated, the city also received a stock donation to help the project and has been awarded a grant to help pay for the additional of an outdoor fitness court at Pacific Park.
Senior Citizens Center Project
City Manager Marc Maxwell noted that while more than 20 requested packets the city only received one bid, and it was for more than a half of a million dollars, up from the quarter of a million dollars originally budgeted for the pre-engineered steel frame for the Senior Citizens Center. Continued rising costs of construction were cited as cause.
“The word that we are getting is that none of the steel supplies are willing to guarantee the price of the steel, so the contractors are adding a huge margin on it to cover themselves,” Maxwell said.
The city manager anticipates, in a future meeting, asking the City Council to reject the bid, then later again go out for bids for pre-engineer metal frame for the new facility to be constructed on Oak Avenue for senior citizens activities.
Maxwell also reported that a donor who wishes to remain anonymous has indicated a desire to give to the city a “considerable” stock, proceeds from which would be applied toward the senior citizens center construction effort. The donor wishes to contribute the stock instead of selling, then donating the proceeds because the donor would then incur tax liabilities.
“They just want to donate the stock. We have no way to receive it without an account. There’s some kind of prior relationship there with Craig Johnson of Edward Jones. So I would like authorization to open up an account to receive the stock . Once we receive it, we will immediately sell it and place the proceeds in our equity account. Our finance department will do all the other things,” Maxwell told the City Council during the regular July meeting held earlier this week.
The City Council authorized the city manager to open an Edward Jones account for the purpose of receiving the securities donation.
Pacific Park Project
While the voter approved funding allowed for construction of a new Grays Building and a Texas Parks & Wildlife grant will go toward additional renovations in the park, yet another grant has been approved to help fund an outdoor fitness court at Pacific Park as well.
Assistant City Manager Tory Niewiadomski noted that the outdoor fitness court is one of the things identified by the community a Parks and Recreation Open Space Master Plan was devised for improvements to city facilities. Niewiadomski and City Manager Marc Maxwell reached out to the National Fitness Campaign, a program offering grants of $25,000 to communities to help with this purpose.
The city’s park facilities were evaluated. With the considerable investment being made at Pacific Park, that was the area recommended for an outdoor fitness court. NFC looked at it and the city has has been awarded at $25,000 grant for construction of an outdoor fitness court in Pacific Park.
“This is an outdoor gym that offers free fitness opportunities to any residents and visitors and is fully accessible for all ages and abilities,” Niewiadomski said.
The National Fitness Campaign’s concept incorporates equipment for 7 movements (core, squat, push, lunge, pull agility and bend) that can be completed in 7 minutes, using the individual’s own body weight to get a “perfect workout.” The city officials played a short video from the 2021 NFC website about the purpose of the campaign and use of outdoor fitness courts.
Maxwell said he plans to approach 2-3 industries to see if they will partner with the city to provide $30,000-$35,000 each to help fund the fitness court.
Niewiadomski asked the City Council to agree to proceed so that funding can be budgeted for an outdoor fitness court can be budged in the 2021-22 calendar year.
The City Council approved Resolution No. 1245, adopting and allocating funds for an outdoor fitness court as part of the 2021 National Fitness Campaign.
Man Transferred From Colorado On Hopkins County Warrant
A 44-year-old man was transferred from a Colorado correctional facility on a Hopkins County warrant Wednesday, just prior to his release, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office received notification that Javier Perez Garcia was scheduled to be release on July 8, 2021, from the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility. His release would have came after serving time on two sentences, one which carried a four-year sentence and one with a one-year sentence. Garcia, who was listed as Javier Perezgarcia in the CDC, was sentenced on the Colorado charges on Feb. 4, 2019, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections website.
HCSO Deputy Steve Huffman traveled to the correctional facility in Weld County, Colorado, which is located in far north central Colorado, and took Garcia into custody at the CTCF at 7 a.m. July 7, 2021. Huffman then transported the Longmont, Colorado (located in Weld and Bounder counties) resident to Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center in Sulphur Springs, Texas. He was booked into jail at 10:21 p.m. Wednesday on a warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for indecency with a child by sexual contact. The transport deputy noted Garcia to be very cooperative, showing respect in all instances during the transfer and booking process.
Garcia was initially arrested on a warrant for the indecency charge on July 6, 2015; he remained in Hopkins County jail until Jan. 7, 2016, and had a Homeland Security hold placed on him at that time by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Garcia was held on the Hopkins County charge without bond on Thursday, July 8, 2021.
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 SBDC Holding Seven Management / Leadership Training Sessions
The Paris Small Business Development Center is holding a seven-session online training on management and leadership from Lorna Kibbey Leadership Solutions.
The sessions, running from July 12 through August 23 each Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., are designed to help businesses struggling with employee retention, hiring, and attracting employees. Paris SBDC invited Lorna Kibbey Leadership Solutions to mentor local business owners on navigating the changes in the workplace.
The sessions are: Leading in Times of Change; The People Side of Leading; Delegation: How to Do it Right; Understanding Motivation: The Secret to Motivating Others; The New Rules of Time Management; Right Person, Right Time; and Leading a Team in a Virtual World.
Participants are encouraged to bring up their workplace management issues and engage with during the question and answer session.
Kibbey is author of “Becoming A Better Boss.” She has first‐hand experience in dealing with the most difficult situations managers face, having served as a leader and manager for more than 24 years in the public sector. Lorna earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of South Florida and her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts from the University of Cincinnati. An active member in the National Speaker’s Association, she served as the 2019-20 Dean of the Florida Speaker’s Association speaker academy. She currently serves Florida State University as an adjunct instructor for the state’s Certified Public Manager Program.
Registration is online at https://bit.ly/36llZdi. The first 20 individuals to register for the July 12 session and attend online will be eligible to receive one free copy of the book, “Becoming A Better Boss.” Arrangements for picking up the book or for questions email Becky Cornelius at [email protected], or call 903-782-0224.
This session is provided by CARES Act funding to deliver services and webinars to small businesses in support of business recovery.
Paris SBDC is a partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Texas, and Paris Junior College. Advising services are offered by the Paris SBDC without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, sex, or disability. Special provisions will be made for limited English-speaking individuals and those with disabilities. Those interested may contact the Paris SBDC at 903-782-0224. Paris SBDC is partially funded under CARES Act Cooperative agreement #SBAHQ20C0059 by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBDC is committed to helping our clients that have been affected by COVID-19. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal law and provides funds to SBDC’s to provide expanded services and resources due to the pandemic.
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.
