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.
Kentucky Man Allegedly Struck Arkansas State Police Patrol Vehicle During Slow I-30 Pursuit
Driver Claimed Allah Instructed Him To Do It
A 31-year-old Louisville, Kentucky man allegedly struck an Arkansas State Police patrol vehicle while leading authorities on a slow I-30 pursuit which began with the man’s involvement in a hit and run crash in Hope, Arkansas and concluded near Cumby in Hopkins County Friday night, according to arrest 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. However, the truck driver continued evading authorities, despite two front tires that had gone completely flat and six of the trailer’s eight rear tires being flat as well. The driver drove “very aggressively toward vehicles on the road as well as patrol units that attempted to block exits and deploy additional stop sticks, deputies noted in arrest reports.
Eventually, 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 fleeing truck, 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 pursuit also allegedly struck an Arkansas State Police patrol unit with his vehicle during the pursuit.
Ahmedin allegedly told police “Allah instructed him to complete the criminal acts,” Baumann alleged 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. on a felony evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge Ahmedin, who is also known as Mohammedali Suleman Ahmedin, remained in Hopkins County jail midmorning Saturday, April 10, 2021. Bond had not yet been set at 9 a.m. Saturday, 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.
Wildcats Baseball Team Climbs Back Into Second Place After Defeating Mount Pleasant Friday
Wildcat Kaden Wallace was a pitching and hitting star Friday (April 9) as the Wildcats Baseball Team rolled over Mount Pleasant, 10-3.
Wallace got the pitching win allowing only 1 hit and 1 run over 5 innings while striking out 12 and walking 4. Wallace did not allow a hit until two were out in the fifth inning.
Hector Martinez closed out the game going 2 innings allowing 3 hits and only 1 earned run. Wallace also had some big moments at the plate going 2 for 3 with 4 RBI’s including a sacrifice fly, 2 doubles and a run scored. Mayer Millsap was 1 for 3 with 2 RBI and a run scored plus he was hit by a pitch.
Matthew Singleton got an RBI with a bases loaded walk and he scored a run and walked a second time. Blake Vice was 1 for 4 with an RBI. Aiken Owens was 2 for 3 with a double and 3 runs scored. Colt Silman was 2 for 3 with a sacrifice bunt and 2 runs scored. Colby Albritton scored 2 runs and had a walk. Dawson Carpenter walked.
With the win, the Wildcats improved to 5-3 in district play and they moved back into a second place tie after Longview lost to Hallsville.
The Wildcats’ season record is now 8-13. Saturday at noon, the Wildcats have a non-district game at McKinney North. They resume district play at home against Texas High on Tuesday night.
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.
City of Sulphur Springs Receives ‘Clean Unmodified’ Opinion On FY 2019-2020 Audit
Sulphur Springs City Council this week received a brief update on current year financials, including sales tax numbers, then a report from the Frisco firm that conducted the annual City of Sulphur Springs for fiscal year 2019-2020 independent audit.
Sulphur Springs Finance Director Lesa Smith first reported that sales tax is up 6.4 percent currently over the same time period last year, which she noted is great news for the city.
“Sales tax has been performing really well this year, in spite of everything we have going on. Other than that all of the departments seem to be coming in under budget or on budget from where they normally track and revenue is doing well in other area,” Smith said during the April 6 regular meeting of Sulphur Springs City Council.
She also provided a budget calendar to the City Council members, a timeline for discussions and work sessions to shape the 2021-2022 budget. City staff have already started the process she said and the calendar will begin next week. She asked the members to let her know if they have any conflicts so she can make changes if needed.
Kirk Evans of K. Evans & Associates CPAs out of Frisco conducted the annual outside independent audit. Evans reported his firm’s opinion for fiscal year 2019-2020, which ended Sept. 30, 2020, was a “clean unmodified audit” again this year.
Evans noted that the total revenue in the general fund at the end of FY 2019-2020 was just over $20 million, a sizeable increase over the previous year. That’s due largely to a $8.89 million “in-kind” amount, land given to the city, an amount also counted as a capital expenditure. From a fund balance standpoint, he said, it is a “zero effect,” but that’s how it gets recorded for the governmental fund statement.
Expenditures at the end of the year was just over $19 million, so from an operational standpoint that left a $987,599 surplus in the general operations fund. The $8.89 million is included in the $9.17 million in capital outlay expenses..
“It’s like this: if someone gave you $9 million and you went out and bought land with the $9 million, it’s the same type of transaction. Because it was donated to the city so it gets recorded,” Evans explained.
“So, it doesn’t benefit the balance sheet?” City Manager Marc Maxwell asked.
“No, it does not,” Evans affirmed.
“That seems counter intuitive,” Maxwell replied.
“In a governmental fund, which is what we’re talking about here in the general fund, general fund modified rules. So you don’t track capital assets and long term debt in your general fund. It doesn’t count. Now the water/sewer fund it does, it’s treated differently. It’s a different accounting system. But, in the general fund, anything you put for capital assets is just called capital outlay. It’s an in and out transaction,” Evans explained. it has no affect on your fund balance. It’s just and in-and-out transaction, but because it occurred, that’s how it has to get reported.”
Evans said it is tracked in the capital assets section of the notes from the audit report, but from a fund standpoint, capital assets are not tracked.
Overall, the net fund balance change was the addition of $560,000 to the city’s general fund balance over FY 2019-20. The city also retired $1.4 million in bond debt and other capital assets put into surplus was about $1.4 million, Evans noted.
The city ended FY 2019-20 with just under $14 million in the water and sewer fund, an increase of about $435,000 over the previous fiscal year. Total operating expenses were $9.9 million, with an operational surplus of $4.06 million. That is then adjusted for interest charges, expenses, revenues and transfers in and out, for a bottom line of $1.718 million change in the net position in the water/sewer fund for FY 2019-20. In the water/sewer fund, the city retired $1.8 million in debt, and had about $1.9 million in capital assets placed into service.
“So, a good year for the water/sewer fund by adding surplus as you know helps the infrastructure and repairs and everything that needs to be done,” Evans said.
He indicated that the audit report includes many notes, with more in-depth explanation of the financials.
“In summary, it was a good report to bring you for the city for the year. The general fund and your water/sewer fund both had good surpluses and overall the audit went well. There was nothing that we discovered in the audit that we need to bring to you attention. Anything that we may have discussed with management this year was insignificant in nature, things that happen in the normal course of the audit,” Evans concluded. “So, just again a good report to bring the city. We appreciate Lesa and her staff and everyone that has helped out in getting us what we need.”
Hopkins County Records – April 9, 2021
Land Deed Transfers
- Eileen Aske w to Cristina Reed; tract in the May Ann Collum survey
- Jeffrey Scott Galloway and Ladonna Galloway to Caleb Lyn Coates; tract in the Jesse Odom survey
- Rodney Gene Weems to Ladonna Jean Galloway; tract in the Jesse Odom survey
- David Eddins and Tia Price Eddins known as Tia Price Kirkpatrick to Kacey L. Batterton and Kenneth P. Batterton; tract in the J. Rowland survey
- Gregg Wright to Amelia Olivia Hasbrouck; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Earl R. Burns to Johnny Clay and Reva Clay; tract in the John Polk survey
- Kimberly A. Screws and Paul Alan Screws to Velma Rawson; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
- Connie Briggs, Monty Tipps and Stevie Tipps to John H. Heilman; tract in the Thomas Proctor survey
- Dan I. Hamiter Sr. and Donna Hamiter to Stephanie B. Petry; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Alfredo Gomez to Charles H. Klakamp; tract in the Sarah H. Norris survey
- Eric Richey, Kristy Richey and Barbara Sustaire to Aart Dirk Antonie Van Dieden and Ingrid Paulina Elizabeth Van Dieden; tract in the James F. Hitt survey
- Imelda Molteni and Melvin J. Molteni to Lee Stuart Brophy and Aldo A. Molteni; tract in the Daniel Fuller survey
- Robert A. Blackwell and Stephanie Blackwell to Ashley C. Shackelford and Daniel W. Shackelford; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Alva C. Adams Jr., Adams Solutions LLC, to Ashley C. Shackelford and Daniel W. Shackelford; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Robert Stout, Tina Joan Stout, David Thurman and Didi Thurman to David L. Croxton and Vickie Croxton tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Brandi Nicole Loper to SAF Properties LLC doing business as SM Family Holdings LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Jon Humphrey and Mark Humphrey to Kyle Humphrey; tract in the SB Brown survey
- Jane Carothers to Hopkins County Publishing LLC; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Bridgette Vanderslice and David Vanderslice to Franca M. Kennedy and Jeffrey W. Kennedy Trusts, Jeffrey W. Kennedy co-trustees; tract in the Simon Derrick survey
- Vera Allen, independently and as independent executor for the Paul Wyatt Allen Estate, to Raul Aguirre Nava; tract in the JH Brown survey
- David W. Miller and Rafaela Miller to Kimberly Caddell and Reece Caddell; tract in the Troy M. Thomas survey
- Sulphur Springs Antique Gallery LLC to Church of God, Bobby Harris, Bill Mangrum and David Talley trustee; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Clay Johnson and Heather Johnson to Chaney Boys; tract n the MA Bowlin survey
- Danny Williams and Patty Williams to John Wilbur and Stacie Wilbur; tract in the Merrick Griffith survey
- Lesley Clayton Jr. to Michael Antwone Clayton; tract in the Thomas Norris survey
- Danny Rose to Adrian Lopez and Maher H. Sweidan; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Carl Galligher, Linda Galligher, Linrry Owens and Ronnie Owens to Kenneth Odell Baxter and Samantha Crouch Baxter; tract in the Hugh Curlin survey
- Emily Schendel and Travis Schendel to H. Keith Hunt; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- S & R Construction LLC to Kala Anders; tract in the Spring Creek Addition Phase II
- Cecilia Delaine Glud and John Allen Glud Jr., trustees for the JAG and CDG Living Trust to Edwin G. Lampp and Tawlene Lampp; tract in the Sarah H. Norris survey
- Adam Joel Grimes to Angela Rae Grimes; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Mehealani Ranch to Reserve at Sulphur Springs LLC; tract in the Jose Y’Barbo survey
Applications For Marriage Licenses
- Alan Dewayne Workman and Amy Smirna Ramirez
- Pecina Ricardo Castaneda and Corral Veronica Olayo
- Roger Lynn Melton and Promise Lashea Larkin
- Rodney Justin Condo and Brianna Marie Galaviz
- Marcus Antiquon Harris Jr. and Siana Deshaun Campbell
- David Bryan Kull and Allison Grace Bloodgood
- Tatom Grant Sink and Whitney Lee Hunters
- Caden Ray Phillips and Courtnie Kay Helterbrand
- Adam Thomas Pearson and Stephanie Faith Williams
City Staff Preparing Plan To Address Facility Needs At Sulphur Springs Water Treatment Plant
American Rescue Plan Act Could Help Fund Rehab Project
City employees had planned to do some maintenance work on one of the water tanks, but now are working on what is expected to be a multi-million dollar plan to address facility needs at Sulphur Springs Water Treatment Plant, according to City Manager Marc Maxwell.
The city allocated $360,000 in the budget t\o renovate the baffles in clearwell #1 at the water treatment plant. However, additional issues identified at the water treatment plant have city staff working on a plant rehabilitation plan to address all of deficiencies.
The city has two clearwell tanks at the plant. Clearwell #1 is a million-gallon below-grade storage tank that has the same storage as the Coleman Park water tower which was put in service in 1965. Clearwell #2 is a 2-million-gallon tank was built 15 years later. There are baffles in the tank that allow chemicals in the tank to continue to mix in order to get the pH just right before it leaves the tank.
“[Clearwell #1 hasn’t been working like it’s supposed to, although we still put out a very high quality of water. It’s something that the State of Texas has made a notation of that they wanted us to address at some point in the future. It was never an infraction or something to be written up on. It’s just an area for future considerable,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell said while the money was allocated for repairs to the clearwell #1, after it was “dewatered” and cleaned up, some serious problems were discovered, “some pretty good sized cracks that leak quite a bit of water.”
“We think the tank is at the end of it’s useful life. it’s completely depleted. We think we can put a band aide on it to get us through a season, but that’s the best we can expect at this point. Are we going to want to put $360,000 in a tank that’s at the end of its useful life? So we we haven’t done anything there,” Maxwell noted.
The city manger said another area the city needs to begin considering replacing is Filter #4, which is leaking. He noted the pipe that goes through the concrete wall to the rest of the building, called a spool, has become very thin over the years.
“It’s like Wile E. Coyote trying to plug up leaks that are just erupting from a very, very thin pipe,” Maxwell said. “So we know that we are going to have to address that.”
Filters #1-3 at the water treatment plant were built original to the plant, 4-5 were added later, and #6 has been added since Maxwell has been city manager. While filters 1-3 are “doing OK now, their day is coming,” he said.
Maxwell said city officials anticipate coming to the City Council in the future for approval of a multi-million dollar water treatment plant rehabilitation plan to make needed improvements. They likely will recommend replacing Clearwell #1 with a 2-million gallon tank. The cost to pour a 1-million gallon tank is about $1 a gallon or $1 million to rebuild. The cost to do a 2-million gallon tank is expected to be about 75-cents per gallon, for an overall cost of about $1.5 million.
The cost to rehab Filter #4 is also estimated to be $1 million. Maxwell anticipates putting a “Band-Aid” on the filter to get through another season, and in the meantime, device a rehabilitation plan to present to the City Council for approval at a future meeting.
City staff are looking into potential sources to help fund such a large project project for Sulphur Springs Water Treatment Plant. One potential source is the $9 trillion American Rescue Plan, which includes funding for water and sewer infrastructure for municipalities, the only thing it appears that is not COVID-19 related that funding can be expended on.
“The Treasury is still doing the calculations to see what each city and county will receive. As of right now, their calculations show that we will receive $3,539,00 from the American Rescue Plan Act. That could come in two 50 percent payments, one being this summer sometime and then one a year later. Then we have to expend it until December 2024,” City Finance Director Lesa Smith noted.
Distracted Driving Continues to Plague Texas Roadways
AUSTIN – Sadly, distracted driving is still near the top of the list when it comes to crashes on Texas roadways, coming in at No. 2 for traffic-related crash causes. Last year Texas roadways saw nearly 1 in 5 crashes caused by a distracted driver in which 364 people died and 2,200 were seriously injured.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and TxDOT is reminding all Texans to put their phones down and give driving their full attention whenever they are behind the wheel.
“A serious or fatal crash can happen in an instant,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “If you’re distracted by your phone, or doing anything else that takes your focus away from driving, you’re putting yourself, your passengers and everyone else on the road at risk. Distracted driving crashes are 100 percent preventable. Driving should be your number one priority behind the wheel – everything else can wait.”
TxDOT is re-launching its web-based augmented reality game “Dart Those Distractions” to reinforce the importance of paying attention behind the wheel. Designed to be played on a smart phone or tablet (but not while driving), the game increases awareness about the dangers of distracted driving in an interactive, engaging way. The game challenges players to throw darts at balloons that symbolize driving distractions, such as eating, grooming, programming music or checking a navigation system.
Dangerous distractions include any activity that diverts the driver’s attention away from safely operating a vehicle. Research shows that regardless of whether a driver uses a voice-to-text program, hands-free device or a handheld one, the distraction will affect the driver’s ability to drive safely.
Since September 1, 2017, it has been illegal to read, write or send a text while driving in Texas. Violators can face a fine up to $200.
TxDOT offers these tips to prevent distracted driving that can lead to a ticket, or worse, a crash:
- Always give driving your full attention.
- Pull off the road entirely and come to a complete stop before you talk or text.
- Put your phone away, turn it off, or use an app or your phone settings to block texts and calls while driving.
- Tell friends, family and co-workers you won’t respond to texts or calls while driving.
- Remember that all distractions are dangerous, so pay full attention when behind the wheel.
TxDOT’s distracted driving awareness campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. November 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700.
The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of Feb. 10, 2021.
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Enrollment at the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Campus
Lois Rocha of Sulphur Springs discusses her enrollment plans with PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Director Rob Stanley. For information about attending the Center, visit the campus at 1137 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs.
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.
