Observing Pearl Harbor Day and America’s Entry to WWII
On December 7, 1941, due to the devastating surprise air attack on our ships and planes at the Pearl Harbor base in Hawaii, the United States entered World War II. Great numbers of women, many whom had never worked outside their homes before, became 65% of the work force in 1942, filling a void created as soldiers deployed. Many industry jobs previously closed to them welcomed women to a variety of jobs.
Nineteen-year-old Rosalind Walter took a job on the night shift at a Connecticut airplane factory, and although she never sought fame, she became a lasting symbol of the war on the home front. On fact, she became a household word as ‘Rosie the Riveter’ in the lyrics of a song written about her, and that name stuck with her for the rest of her life. Truthfully, she and many of ‘the greatest generation’ continued holding jobs and doing volunteer work to better their communities and the public good long after the war had ended. Walter passed away in May 2020 when she was near 100 years old. It was her can-do spirit which has endeared her image for freedom-lovers until today.
In fact, on Thursday December 3, 2020, U.S. Senator Bob Casey’s (Democrat-Pennsylvania) Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act was signed and became law. The legislation’s goal is to recognize and honor American women who joined the workforce during World War II. The law will award those women a Congressional Gold Medal. Dubbed as “Rosie the Riveters,” women who stepped up during WWII to build vehicles, weapons, and ammo will now be distinguished. “Millions of women helped support our troops during WWII, whether they worked on assembly lines, addressed the troops’ medical needs or tended to ships and farms. These ‘Rosie the Riveters’ have set an example of the ‘We Can Do It’ spirit for decades, and this recognition of their tremendous service and patriotism is long overdue,” said Senator Casey.
Como Men Accused Of Shooting A Dog, Leaving It On Side Of Road
Deputies Sunday arrested two Como men accused of shooting a dog and leaving it on the side of the road Saturday morning.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Communications operators dispatched Deputy Jason Lavender to County Road 2333 just before 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020 to check out a report of an injured animal. Upon arrival, Lavender reported finding a black and white dog lying on the side of the road. The dog appeared to have been shot through the neck, the deputy alleged in arrest reports.
Lavender, during his investigation, viewed a video on a surveillance system that showed two men with a black and white dog in a truck minutes before the dog was shot. The passenger was holding the dog in his lap in the video.
On Sunday, Dec. 6, Lavender contacted the man he had seen in the video in the passenger’s seat of the pickup with the dog. The man was identified as 44-year-old David Ryan Hayes of Como.
During their conversation, Hayes allegedly admitted to taking the dog to CR 2333 to get rid of it, then shooting one round out of a revolver in the direction of the dog on the side of CR 2333. Hayes claimed the round he fired did not strike the dog. The other man, identified later Sunday as 48-year-old Stephen Kyle Mayfield of Como, then allegedly took the revolver from Hayes and fired one round from it, striking the dog. Hayes admitted he and Mayfield left the dog in the ditch on the side of the CR 2333.
Both Hayes and Mayfield were arrested Sunday for cruelty to a non-livestock animal by killing, poisoning or causing serious bodily injury to the animal, a third-degree felony offense. Hayes was also found to be a convicted felon, resulting in the 44-year-old Como man also being charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Both Hayes and Mayfield remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Dec. 7. Bond was set at $10,000 on the animal cruelty charge; Hayes’ bond on the firearm charge was also set a $10,000.
Jail records show Hayes has been booked into Hopkins County jail on two prior occasions in the last two years on misdemeanor warrants, including March 7, 2020, on an expired operator’s license warrant. He also was jailed Dec. 7, 2018, on a warrant for not paying fine for driving in violation of suspension and on an Ector County warrant for failure to appearing on a driving while license invalid with previous convictions charge.
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.
Candidate Profiles: Sulphur Springs City Council Place 1
December 6, 2020 – The early voting in the Dec. 15 runoff election for Sulphur Springs City Council Place 1 is under way at Sulphur Springs Municipal Building, 201 North Davis St. As of Friday afternoon, only 20 of the 9,695 registered voters in Sulphur Springs had cast ballots in the runoff election.
Early voting by personal appearance continues from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7, Dec. 9 and Dec. 11; and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8 and Thursday, Dec. 10. Election Day is Tuesday, Dec. 15. Voting will be conducted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All voting is in the conference room on the second floor of the Municipal Building.
Sulphur Springs voters are asked to select one of the two candidates, Mark Bradley or Jay W. Julian, for Place 1 on the ballot.
To help voters learn a little more about both Sulphur Springs City Council Place 1 candidates, KSST asked each to complete a candidate profile prior to the election, providing information about themselves and their candidacy, including their reasons for seeking the Place 1 seat on Sulphur Springs City Council. Candidates responses are shared here, in ballot order by Place.
Mark Bradley
Name and office sought: Mark Bradley, City Council Seat 1
Family information: I am a married man. Married to Gloria Bradley. We have been married for 41 years and have four children, Gavin, Angela, Graeme and Leigh-Ann and three grandchildren Kayla, Devon and Finzelle.
Occupation, brief job description: President and Chief Executive Officer of “A2Z Contractors”. And in a partnership B Builders
Education, training, special skills, experience: Lived in South Africa for the first 45 years of my life. Immigrated to the United States of America Legally in June 2000. I am a CPA (CA SA) equivalent. Trained at KPMG. Been in Property Developer partnerships, owned my own business and have been employed as Chief Financial Officer’s for most of my life. Have been part of constructing new buildings and houses, renovated old historic buildings with extreme care and recycled and repurposed buildings to create better use for them.
Immigrated to the USA years 20 years ago and worked in Orange County and Los Angeles as a Chief Financial Officer for the first ten years after immigrating, before purchasing my own company.
Currently, we are general contractors: “A2Z-Contractors” and working on property development B Builders and A composting business. We strive to do excellent work in everything that we do.
Why are you seeking this office? The people and Town Council of Sulphur Springs have done a wonderful job developing the downtown area, and recruiting new businesses to our area, but there is still a lot of work to do.
I have a vision to create Sulphur Springs as the Garden Town of north East Texas It will be the Hallmark Town where everyone will want to be.
We can take what has been started by the excellent people of this Town and make it grow, so that it can me more prosperous, successful and beautiful than ever before.
Imagine Broadway Street, Church Street, College Street and the others with Sweeping sidewalks, manicured lawns and gardens. Overhead lighting sporting spring succulent baskets and Christmas wreaths in the winter.
I want to give back to society and especially the people of Sulphur Springs. Many houses are derelict. The owners as well as the tenants have lost interest in their assets. Let’s help give the people of Sulphur Springs pride of ownership, where everyone can feel safe and feel great in their surroundings, so that Sulphur Springs and all its people will prosper.
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them:
- We need better affordable housing for all.
- We need financial Stability for Sulphur Springs.
- While we have a wonderful downtown area, we need to improve and beautify all roads and accesses to this area.
- Parking and Travel routes to and from the downtown area need better planning
- We need to clean up some properties. We will find the legal way to help and assist all people.
- Let’s help diversify the businesses in order to create more jobs.
- Create more small affordable retail outlets and affordable commercial outlets with ample parking to assist entrepreneurs, where we can use the diversity of our many cultures and multi cultures to encourage success.
- Let’s focus on the town center and build our ideas outwards. We have so many pocketed developments outside of the Town area.
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I love the United States of America. My family and I adopted this wonderful country 20 years ago and this country adopted us. We are now all, American Citizens.
May God Bless this wonderful country of ours.
Jay W. Julian
Name and office sought: My name is Jay W. Julian, and I am seeking the office of Sulphur Springs City Council, Place 1.
Family information: My parents are the late J. W. Julian, Sr. and Mary E. (Ames) Julian. I have one brother, John P. Julian, of Winnsboro, Texas.
Occupation, brief job description: I have spent the last thirty-two years in Sulphur Springs in the community banking space in bank operations in one capacity or another. Currently I am an assistant vice president within the risk management department.
Education, training, special skills, experience: I have attended Sulphur Springs High School, University of Texas at Arlington, and East Texas State University.
Why are you seeking this office? I have worn many hats in my 30+ years of community banking — problem solver, fact gatherer/ researcher, negotiator, independent thinker, development team member, strategist, trainer, project manager, committee member, counselor, and futurist. As a result, I have a unique ability to manage multi-disciplinary projects and to navigate complex challenges. But my actual experience has taught me that my professional and civic values boil down to the following:
- I am a curious being, and I always have been. As a result of my curiosity, I ask a lot of questions on the journey toward solutions and believe that minds are like parachutes, working best when they are open.
- I dissect things in order to get to know and understand things. Understanding means fewer missteps, and missteps cost money.
- I have BIG ideas. Big ideas require execution, execution is what matters, and I DO execution.
- I run full steam ahead into “fires.” What I mean by that is, when things are chaotic and at their worst, I tend to thrive.
- I am a man of unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible.
I want to take my drive and work experience and apply it within the council environment to solve the issues of today and tomorrow.
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them: First and foremost, we need a city council that is committed to working together for the common good of the city and its citizens, leaving personal differences, personal agendas and grudges at the door. I do, however, believe that thoughtful fact based challenge and debate is healthy in all levels of government. It is by working through our differences coupled with compromise that yield the wisest decisions.
My top concerns, in no particular order, are growing the city’s tax base, an aging city infrastructure (that is, water, sewer, and drainage pipes/systems that are aged some greater than fifty years), city streets, and the recently annexed Luminant property. The Luminant property needs to be utilized in a way that generates tax revenue and/or fee income, or at the very least, be expense neutral and self sustaining—meaning that the Luminant property does not cost the city tax payers any financial resources.
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I am a lifelong resident of Sulphur Springs. I have been attending Sulphur Springs City Council meetings as a regular citizen since approximately June of 2017 and have spoken out on many issues that have come before the council. In September 2018, I accepted an appointment to the City of Sulphur Springs Charter Review Commission. Commission members reviewed and updated the city charter for the first time since the 1980s. The commission was comprised of appointed citizens, city councilmen, the city manager, the city attorney, and the mayor. In June of 2019, I accepted an appointment to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals, on which I still serve. My ZBA voting record is open to the public, and I have endeavored to base every ZBA decision on its own merits with thorough research without any bias or favoritism. I think that my experience coupled with my increasingly incremental interaction with the city administration positions me to be able to ramp up on city issues quickly so I can have a positive Impact immediately.
Dec. 7-11 Meal A Day Menu
Although the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center remains closed due to COVID-19, volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community.
The Dec. 7-11 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday – Chicken and Beef Sliders with Cheese, Lettuce Tomato and Pickle Spear, Baked Beans and Chips
Tuesday – Scalloped Potatoes with Ham, Normandy Vegetables and a Roll
Wednesday – Chicken Pot Pie, Broccoli and Pickled Beets
Thursday – Taco Soup, Crackers and Cheese and Tossed Salad
Friday – Chicken Spaghetti, English Peas and Garlic Toast
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.
Dec. 5 COVID-19 Update: 20 New Cases, 2 Recoveries
While Texas Department of State Health Services’ Dec. 5 COVID-19 update showed two additional COVID-19 recoveries and no additional COVID-19 fatalities on Saturday, four times as many Hopkins County residents received positive COVID-19 results on Saturday than the 5 new cases reported on Friday, which resulted in a higher active case count as well.
On Saturday, the DSHS COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard showed 913 Hopkins County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, That means 20 additional Hopkins County residents had received positive COVID-19 results on Saturday. That gives Hopkins County a positivity rate to 2.46 percent, as of the DSHS Dec. 5 COVID-19 update.
That also means that recoveries currently outpaced new cases in Hopkins County this week. Since Nov. 30, there have been 82 new COVID-19 cases diagnosed by molecular lab tests and 84 recoveries. Two new recoveries were reported on both Friday and Saturday, and 80 on Wednesday. That’s more recoveries this week, and this Monday, than during the entire month of November and just three shy of September’s recovery count, according to DSHS reports.
The active case count increased again from 61 Friday to 79 active on Saturday. The week started with 90 active case on both Monday and Tuesday, then dipped to 19 on Wednesday, thanks to the 80 new recoveries, and shot back up to 63 active cases on Thursday due to the 44 new cases reported.
COVID-19 Fatalities
The Dec. 5 COVID-19 fatality dashboard showed 56 Hopkins County residents have been confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19. That means no new confirmed COVID-19 deaths were reported for Hopkins County on Saturday.
COVID-19 deaths were confirmed in two of the eight counties immediately surrounding Hopkins, however.
Two additional Hunt County residents were confirmed Saturday to have died from COVID-19, for a cumulative total of 64 fatalities; the COVID-19 case county for Hunt County was 1908 on Saturday, 27 more than on Friday.
One additional Wood County death and 19 new cases were was confirmed Saturday. That makes 934 cumulative COIVD-19 cases, including 54 which resulted in death.
Trauma Service Area F Hospital Reports
The percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations out of the total hospital capacity in Trauma Service Area F dipped very slightly Saturday. In fact, Dec. 5 marks the fourth consecutive day the overall percent of COVID-19 hospitalization has declined this week, from 16.4 percent on Dec. 1 to 16.32 percent on Dec. 2, 13.79 percent Dec. 3, 13.58 percent Dec. 4 and 13.57 percent Dec. 5, according to the DSHS Dec. 5 COVID-19 Case Count Hospital Data dashboard
The last COVID-19 hospitalization total in TSA F for the last three days has been a welcome change from the previous 5 days in which the COVID-19 hospitalization percent of total hospital capacity exceeded the 15 percent threshold the state considers to be high capacity. State officials monitor TSAs to determine if additional measures will be implemented to help slow the spread of the virus. TSAs in which COVID hospitalizations exceed the 15 percent total capacity for seven consecutive days are required to reduce business capacities in those counties from 75 to 50 percent and in some cases could mean the business has to close until the TSA goes 7 consecutive days with COVID-19 hospitalizations accounting for less than 15 percent of total hospital capacities in the TSA.
On Dec. 5, there were 1,076 total staffed hospital beds, 364 available hospital beds, eight available ICU beds, 61 available ventilators, 146 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients, 985 total staffed inpatient beds and 621 total hospitalizations in Trauma Service Area F, according to the Dec. 5 COVID-19 regional hospital reports.
| Categories/ Counts | Dec. 4 | Dec. 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1075 | 1076 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 352 | 364 |
| Available ICU Beds | 6 | 8 |
| Available Ventilators | 61 | 61 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 146 | 146 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 632 | 621 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 984 | 985 |
Wildcats Basketball Team Tops Paris On The Road Saturday, 69-60
The Wildcats Basketball Team got a solid road win at Paris Saturday afternoon, December 5, 69-60.
The Wildcats were up by three points after the first quarter and led 35-29 at halftime. Both teams had 16 third quarter points and the Wildcats maintained their lead at 51-45. The Wildcats outscored Paris, 18-15 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Senior Boo Wilkerson, who shot the three pointer well, led the Wildcats with 19 points. Senior point guard Lamodrick Johnson scored 17 points. Sophomore post Kordrick Turner had 12 points. Junior post Justin Haire added 10 points. Junior guard Caleb Alexander scored 5 points. Parker Whisenhunt had 4 points. Jake Whisenhunt added 2 points.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 5-3 and they have won four games in a row. The Wildcats now play at Garland Naaman Forest Tuesday at 7 p.m.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Is Edged By Paris At Home in Overtime, 53-51
The Lady Cats Basketball Team rallied in the fourth quarter against Paris, tying the game in regulation, only to see Paris escape with a 53-51 win in overtime Saturday morning, December 5, at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School.
At one point in the fourth quarter, the Lady Cats trailed Paris 43-37. Sophomore point guard Kenzie Willis hit a basket with just seconds left to tie the game 50-50 in regulation.
The Lady Cats took a one point on a free throw by junior Baylie Large in overtime. It would prove to be the last point the Lady Cats would make.
Paris went ahead with three free throws of their own. The Lady Cats missed on a three point shot that could have put them into the lead in the game’s final seconds. Trying to get one more shot to tie or go ahead with just 2.2 seconds left, a Lady Cats’ inbound pass was intercepted by Paris and the clock expired.
The two teams were tied at 11-11 after one quarter. The Lady Cats actually led at halftime, 25-22. Paris had a big third quarter outscoring the Lady Cats, 15-7 to take a 37-32 lead after three periods. The Lady Cats outscored Paris 18-13 in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Sophomore Serenity Lewis had an excellent game with a team high 18 points. Willis scored 17 points. Senior Dalanee Myles added 7 points. Large had 5 points. Senior Nylah Lindley scored 4 points.
The Lady Cats are now 2-3 for the season.
They play next at New Boston Tuesday at 6 p.m. It will be the last tune up before district play begins Friday at home against Mount Pleasant.
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 December 7, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Dec. 7, 2020. 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.
The annual contract to perform crack sealing operations in Grayson County is in progress. Daytime lane closures will be present during crack sealing operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadways in Grayson County will be crack sealed this year; Business US 377D in Tioga, Business US 377C in Collinsville, SH 289 from the Collin County line to US 82, FM 996 from FM 120 to FM 1417, SH 91 from US 75 to FM 1310, the US 82 frontage road in Sherman, FM 120 from FM 1753 to the Oklahoma State line, FM 1897 from US 69 to the end of State maintenance, FM 898 from SH 11 to the Fannin County line, FM 121 from FM 3356 to SH 289, FM 120 in Pottsboro from Chrissa Drive to Vine Street, and the US 75 frontage roads from FM 902 to the Collin County line.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. 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 exit ramp for Pecan Street and Washington Street is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the next exit ramp for North Travis Street. 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. Traffic is requested to use the US 75 mainlanes during this closure. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
During the week of December 7 through 13, the Center Street intersection at US 75 will be closed to through traffic in order for crews to perform pavement improvements in the left lane of the northbound and southbound frontage roads. Traffic on Center Street will be able to make a right turn only onto the frontage road and will detour to the next intersection. This same process will occur the following weeks for the Houston Street, Washington Street, and Lamar Street intersections. The Houston Street intersection work is currently scheduled for the week of December 14 through 20. This work is weather dependent and may be adjusted due to unfavorable weather.
The eastbound and westbound US 82 mainlanes will be closed to through traffic on December 9 and 10 starting at 7:30 pm in order to set bridge beams for the new US 75 northbound frontage road bridge. US 82 is scheduled to reopen to traffic each morning at 6:30 am.
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.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75, weather permitting, each week from Sunday night through Thursday night. Lane closures will be present during the nighttime only in order for crews to replace failed concrete slabs. Lane closures begin at 7:30 p.m. and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m.
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 a 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 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 the temporary detour section. 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 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures on the southbound US 75 frontage road while construction crews work on completing the remainder of the project. The new FM 691 exit ramp is open to access FM 691. The new entrance ramp to southbound US 75 has been opened to traffic.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
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 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
FM 131, Grayson County: between FM 120 and US 82. 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 406, Grayson County: between SH 289 and FM 84. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a fog seal to 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.
The annual contract to perform crack sealing operations in Fannin County is in progress. Daytime lane closures will be present during crack sealing operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadways in Fannin County will be crack sealed this year; FM 1396 from SH 78 to FM 2029, FM 1752 from US 82 to FM 1753, US 82 from SH 121 to the Grayson County line, SH 11 from SH 121 to SH 78, SH 78 from SH 11 to US 69, and FM 68 from SH 78 to SH 34.
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 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. 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 safety treatments on fixed objects.
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 on the eastern end of the project between the Fannin-Lamar County line and County Road 2975. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while crews work on the inside lane to build crossovers and turn lanes. 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. The SH 121 and US 82 frontage road intersections have been converted to signalized intersections. The on-ramp to westbound US 82 from SH 78 has been closed while crews work on building the new westbound main lanes. The westbound exit ramp for SH 121 is closed as crews work on building the new main lanes in this area. Exiting traffic for SH 121 is asked to use the SH 78 exit and continue along the frontage road to SH 121.
County Road 3530, Fannin County: at Wafer Creek. County Road 3530 has been reopened to traffic as the new culvert has been completed.
FM 274, Fannin County: between FM 3321 and SH 78. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
I-30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
FM 3389, Hopkins County: From IH 30 to FM 1567. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews begin work on cross drainage structures.
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 1507, Lamar County: from South Collegiate Drive to Loop 286. This roadway is closed while crews rehabilitate and resurface the existing roadway.
SH 19, Delta County: from the Delta-Lamar County line to SH 24/19 south. Watch for lane closures while crews perform full-depth concrete repairs.
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. Traffic is shifted to the north side of the roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the south side.
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 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903. Work on this project is completed. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
FM 499, Hunt County: at Lynn Creek. The contractor has begun demolition work and will be tying steel for placement of drill shafts. Road closures began on Nov. 30 and will continue throughout the duration of this project. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for workers and work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor is currently working on a two-mile stretch of roadway rehabilitation. 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 will be prepping the right-of-way and placing culverts for this project. 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 early this week. 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. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway. Crews will also be roadway patching on FM 515, from FM 2795 to the Rains-Wood County line, and repairing rip-rap on SH 276 at Bull Creek. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
SH 34 bridge, Hunt County: 3.5 miles south of Quinlan. TxDOT has placed a temporary concrete traffic barrier to protect travelers from the damage caused by an 18-wheeler accident. The bridge/road is now open to both lanes of traffic. Please drive cautiously and safely in this area.
Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews. Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
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TxDOT Digital Highway Sign Contest Open Through Dec. 8
Ever been driving down the highway and see those digital signs and think, that’s clever but you can do better, or that you have a great informational slogan that’d look really good up there?
Texas Department Of Transportation invites community members to submit their best clever saying for a chance to have your message encouraging safer driving.displayed above Texas highways on digital message boards.
TxDOT launched the Digital Highway Sign Contest to find the best and most creative safe-driving message that is related to impaired driving (drunk or drugged driving,) distracted driving (texting while driving,) not wearing seatbelts or speeding.
Since the majority of crashes are preventable, TxDOT uses these creative messages, which often are related to current events and pop culture, as part of an effort to encourage drivers to improve their behavior behind the wheel.
The contest is open through Dec. 8, and there is no limit to the number of entries a contestant can submitted at TxDOT.gov. The top 10 entries will be posted on social media and voted on by the public. A “like” or “share” equals one point. The top three winners will see their message in bright lights over highways across the state.
The contest, which runs simultaneously with #EndTheStreakTX, is tool TxDOT is using to educate drivers about the state’s steady death rate and to improving their driving habits.
Contestants should keep the following guidelines in mind when submitting entries:
- The message must bring awareness to the dangers of common driver mistakes such as distracted driving, impaired driving, not using seat belts, speeding, etc. Entries for oher rules of the road, such as “no tailgating” and “left lane for passing only” will also be accepted
- #Hashtags, phone numbers and website addresses are not allowed.
- No offensive language may be used.
- Signs accommodate 2 slides, each with 3 lines and up to 15 characters per line. Contestants should feel free to use both slides (6 lines) or just one slide (3 lines).
Wildcats Basketball Team Uses Big Third Quarter To Get By Pesky Forney, 66-58, Friday At Home
The Wildcats Basketball Team outscored Forney, 25-5 in a torrid third quarter to turn a 13 point halftime deficit into a 7 point lead going into the fourth quarter on their way to a 66-58 win at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School Friday night.
The Wildcats struggled in the first half, trailing the Jackrabbits, 14-5 after one quarter and 30-17 at the half. The Wildcats were finally able to take their first lead of the game late in the third quarter.
Boo Wilkerson fueled the third quarter rally with 3 three-point baskets including one that finally gave the Wildcats a 35-33 lead, Justin Haire scored ten of his team leading 16 points in the second half. Wilkerson with 4 three pointers had 14 points. Lamodrick Johnson and Kordrick Turner had 11 points each. Caleb Alexander had 2 treys, both in the second half, and ended up with 9 points. Cason Arrington had 3 points on basket and “and one” free throw in the fourth quarter. Jake Whisenhunt had 2 points. Forney got a huge game from Nick Bene who scored a g
The Wildcats Basketball Team outscored Forney, 25-5 in a torrid third quarter to turn a 13 point halftime deficit into a 7 point lead going into the fourth quarter on their way to a 66-58 win at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School Friday night.
The Wildcats struggled in the first half trailing the Jackrabbits, 14-5 after one quarter and 30-17 at the half. The Wildcats were finally able to take their first lead of the game late in the third quarter. Boo Wilkerson fueled the third quarter rally with 3 three-point baskets including one that finally gave the Wildcats a 35-33 lead, Justin Haire scored ten of his team leading 16 points in the second half.
Wilkerson with 4 three pointers had 14 points. Lamodrick Johnson and Kordrick Turner had 11 points each. Caleb Alexander had 2 treys, both in the second half, and ended up with 9 points. Cason Arrington had 3 points on basket and “and one” free throw in the fourth quarter. Jake Whisenhunt had 2 points.
Forney got a huge game from Nick Bene who scored a game high 30 points, including 14 in the last quarter as the Jackrabbits staged a late comeback attempt.
Forney is now 1-5 while the Wildcats improve to 4-3 for the season. They now have three straight wins.
The Wildcats have a tough road game Saturday as they travel to Paris for a varsity only shootout beginning at high noon.
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.
