Wildcats Soccer Team Opens Season With Three Scrimmage Wins Saturday at The Prim
The Wildcats Soccer Team took care of business Saturday defeating smaller schools North Lamar, Sabine and Mineola in scrimmage games Saturday (December 12) at Gerald Prim Stadium. The Wildcats opened the day’s schedule with a 5-0 win over North Lamar. The Wildcats led 3-0 after the first 25 minute half and scored twice more in the second half. Five different Wildcats scored goals: Alex Yanez, Omar Hernandez, Alejandro Diosdado, Angel Andino and Edgar Salazar. Next the Wildcats topped Sabine, 4-1. Hernandez and Diosdado scored first half goals and Salazar scored twice in the second half. The Wildcats wrapped up the day with a 5-0 win over Mineola. Andino and Yanez scored in the first half. In the second half, Hernandez scored twice including one on a penalty kick and Salazar scored once. Hernandez and Salazar both had 4 total goals on the day with two goals apiece for Yanez, Andino and Diosdado. Wildcats Head Coach Alexi Upton split his team into two groups so everyone could get minutes. Alex Rodriguez and Tai Nguyen split goalkeeping duties. Things get much tougher quickly for the Wildcats. They will scrimmage West Mesquite on the road Monday at 7:15 p.m. The Wranglers are preseason ranked #4 in the region according to TASCO, the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches.
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.
Click here for more Wildcat and Lady Cat Sports
Wildcats Basketball Team Rallies in the Fourth Quarter to Defeat Mesquite Horn, 52-43
Going into the fourth quarter, the Wildcats Basketball Team trailed Mesquite Horn, 33-30 but they outscored the Jaguars, 22-10 in the final quarter to take a 52-43 win Saturday afternoon (December 12) in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School. Contributing in the big quarter for he Wildcats were Lamodrick Johnson, Kordrick Turner, Caleb Alexander and Justin Haire. During the first three quarters, both teams exchanged the lead in a tight game. The Wildcats led 12-7 after the first quarter but their lead was trimmed to one, 18-17 at halftime. The Wildcats were led by Alexander, who hit three 3-pointers, and scored 13 points. Johnson has 12 points. Turner hit a three point shot and had 10 points. Haire had 9 points. Boo Wilkerson had two three-pointers for 6 points. Jake Whisenhunt had 2 points. Horn’s Sean Moning led all scorers with 15 points. The Wildcats have won two games in a row and their season record is now 7-4. Next the Wildcats will face the toughest team they have seen this season on the road. They play Dallas Faith Family Academy in Oak Cliff Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Faith Family, a two time state champion, is currently ranked #1 in Class 4A and their only losses this year are to highly ranked Class 6A teams.
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.
1 Man Jailed Following Altercation At Cumby Rest Stop
An altercation at Cumby rest stop Sunday night resulted in a 62-year-old man going to jail on a misdemeanor charge, according to sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 8:40 p.m. December 13, 2020 at the Cumby rest stop, where a disturbance was reported. Upon arrival, deputies reported a Cumby police officer had a man who had more than one head laceration detained in handcuffs on the ground at the rest stop.
After viewing camera footage and speaking with witnesses, officers determined that the 62-year-old man initiated the altercation by “yelling at a truck driver trying to enter the restroom area of the rest stop.” The man reportedly follow the truck driver to his truck, then began hitting the driver in the face with a closed fist. The truck driver alleged pushed the man to the ground, causing a laceration on the back of the 62-year-old’s head. The man was apparently not deterred as continued to attack the truck driver, who retrieved a pair of piers from his truck and struck the man on the head to stop the attack. The 62-year-old Quitman resident reportedly remained on the ground until Hundley arrived.
The Quitman resident was transported by EMS to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. After being cleared by doctors, the 62-year-old was transported to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked on a public intoxication charge. An assault charge related to the altercation at Cumby rest stop are pending, according to sheriff’s reports.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
Hopkins County Sheriff 
Cumby Police Department
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.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Awarded Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade Distinction
Sulphur Springs, Texas, Dec. 14, 2020 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs was awarded an ‘A’ in the fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs’ achievements protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care.
The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to all general hospitals across the country and is updated every six months. It is based on a hospital’s performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care.
“It is my honor to announce that CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs received an ‘A’ rating in patient safety from The Leapfrog Group for the Fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. It is the third consecutive ‘A’ rating this team has received, which is a testament to their continued dedication to excellence and to the safety of every patient who depends on us for their care!” said Paul Harvey, President/CEO, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
“We are extremely grateful to hospital leadership and health care workers who have remained steadfast in prioritizing patient safety as our nation battles COVID-19,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “This ‘A’ is a testament to the care and commitment of those who work for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. With the current pandemic exposing existing flaws within the U.S. health care system, we appreciate you putting patient safety first. Lives depend on it.”
Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs was awarded an ‘A’ grade today when Leapfrog updated grades for fall 2020. To see CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs’ full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care.
The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information, they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler ContinueCARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 457 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler ContinueCARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Two Men Jailed On Intoxication Charges
Two men were jailed on intoxication charges Saturday afternoon, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Brandon Mayes was dispatched at 2:07 p.m. December 12, 2020 to the 100 block of Connally Street, where an officer reported seeing a possibly intoxicated driver while helping direct traffic for the Blue Santa distribution. He had the driver park his car to await arrival of other officers.
Upon arrival, Mayes alleged the suspect, identified in arrest reports as 42-year-old Melvin Jerome Askew Jr. of Sulphur Springs, had heavy slurred speech, as if his tongue was swollen. Askew also allegedly had glassy, bloodshot eyes and continued to apologize, saying he was going to comply.
On horizontal gaze nystagmus test, Askew’s eyes showed clues of intoxication, but did not have detectable vertical nystagmus. Askew allegedly refused to perform any other test, and while being placed into custody admitted the arrest will be his third DWI. Dispatcher confirmed his statement and was taken to jail. He refused to provide a breath sample for testing but did agree to a blood sample, which was taken at the hospital.
The passenger who was in the car, a 61-year-old man who refused to give his address, was also arrested by police for public intoxication. SSPSD Officer Francisco Castro alleged alcohol was smelled on him and he also had slurred speech. He refused to perform field sobriety tests but admitted to being drunk.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
2 Targeted Improvement Plans, Financial Audit, Sick Leave Policy On Sulphur Springs ISD Dec. 14 Agenda
Targeted Improvement Plans for Lamar and Travis Primary, the annual financial audit and extension of the sick leave policy are all topics to be discusses and considered during Monday’s Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees meeting, scheduled to be conducted at noon rather than 6 p.m. as is tradition so as not to conflict with any other potential holiday programs and schedules.
Two public hearings will be conducted, one for anyone who wishes to address the board regarding a request for the agreement granting a tax incentive for Hopkins Energy LLC and another regarding SSISD’s state issued financial accountability rating for the 2019-2020 school year.
SSISD trustees in January granted an appraised value limitation for the planned $95.5 million Dike solar farm. Shelly Leung with of Powell, Youngblood & Taylor is scheduled later in the school board meeting to discuss the matter with district trustees. Then, the board will be asked to consider approving an amendment to the agreement with Hopkins Energy LLC.
At least two items on the agenda focus on evaluations of the district’s financial health. SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw is slated to conduct a public meeting to present and allow time for any discussion or questions regarding the district’s annual financial accountability rating for 2019-2020. Later in the meeting, Mike Taylor with Rutherford, Taylor and Company PC will present for board consideration his firm’s annual financial audit and compliance report of district finances for the fiscal year which began Sept. 1, 2019 and ended Aug. 31, 2020.
During the portion of the special noon meeting designated for administrative reports, Assistant Superintendent Kristin Monk is scheduled to present Targeted Improvement Plans for Lamar and Travis Primary campuses. Both will be submitted later in the meeting to trustees to consider as an action item.
Superintendent Mike Lamb is slated to present data regarding virtual learning during the first 9-week grading period.
Josh Williams, assistant superintendent, is scheduled to present for board consideration a resolution which would amend the school policy to extend sick leave for employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trustees then will have the option to enter into an executive session to discuss any personnel matters presented since the last board meeting. Any item requiring a vote would be pushed forward from the closed session and voted on during open session.
The SSISD Dec. 14 will begin at noon in the board room of SSISD Administration Building, 631 Connally St.
Dec. 14-18 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 – Della’s Beef Enchilada Pie, Refried Beans, Chips and Salsa and a Tossed Salad
Tuesday – Rope Sausage and Sauerkraut, Navy Beans, Corn Bread and Green Tomato Relish
Wednesday – Hopkins County Stew, Cheese and Crackers
Thursday – Cheesy Beef and Potato Casserole, Okra and Tomatoes, and Corn
Friday – Fish, Pinto Beans, Corn Fritters and Cole slaw
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. 12 COVID-19 Update: 27 New Cases, 13 New Probable Cases, 266 Active Cases
Texas Department of State Health Services reported 27 new cases, 13 new probable cases, and made an adjustment that changed the number of COVID-19 fatalities. COVID hospitalizations in Trauma Service Area F rose a little bit, according DSHS’ Dec. 12 COVID-19 Case Counts and Test and Hospital Data dashboards.
COVID-19 Case Counts
Hopkins County’s molecular case count, which DSHS still considers the official confirmed case total, slowed for a few days, with only five new cases reported on Thursday and seven new cases on Friday. Saturday was another matter, however, with almost as many new COVID-19 cases reported Dec. 12 as during the six previous days.
The 27 new Dec. 12 COVID cases increased the weekly total to 57 cases. That’s 138 Hopkins County residents who have received a positive COVID-19 result on molecular testing this month. That’s as many new cases during the first 12 days of December as during the entire month of November. In fact, it’s more new COVID-19 cases diagnosed by molecular tests so far in December than the total for every other month during the pandemic except October, which ended with 323 Hopkins County residents receiving positive molecular COVID test results. Cumulatively, 970 Hopkins County residents have tested COVID-19 positive on molecular testing since the pandemic began in mid March.
DSHS also reported 13 new probable cases were also diagnosed on Saturday. According to DSHS, a probable case is from a person who has either tested positive through an antigen test or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis is. The state the week of Nov. 22 began releasing weekly antigen probable totals, but as of Dec. 11 has incorporated in its daily dashboard reports molecular, antigen and antibody tests conducted by county.
On Friday, a total reflected 40 additional probable cases not in the last weekly probable cases report on Dec. 7, which the County Trends report said included one older test that had not been previously reported by a lab. Combined with the 13 new probable results received Saturday, that’s 53 additional probable cases reported since Monday. That increases the cumulative case count to 976 probable cases since the state began tracking the data.
DSHS also reported a cumulative combined active cases count of 266 on Saturday, Dec. 12. That’s 41 more active cases on Saturday than on Friday.
Th active cases total is calculated by taking the total number of confirmed and probable cases and subtracting fatalities and estimated recoveries. Because both active and recovered cases are estimates, they can vary from what is reported locally, DSHS notes.
While no new recoveries were reported on Saturday, there were 810 recoveries reported on Friday, doubling the overall case count to 1,620 on Dec. 11. That’s because probable and confirmed cases were tallied for one overall total.
DSHS’ Dec. 12 COVID-19 testing dashboard shows a total of 11,920 tests have been conducted, including 10,030 molecular tests, 846 antigen tests and 1,044 antibody tests.
Cumulative test totals include tests performed by public labs (Laboratory Response Network) and non-public labs (commercial labs, hospitals, physician offices, and drive-thru sites) reported electronically and non-electronically, according to DSHS.
Free molecular COVID-19 testing continues to be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each Monday-Friday, and from 9 to 5 p.m. Saturdays in December in the Red Cross building (old Fidelity Express building) at 128-A Jefferson St. in Sulphur Springs. Registration for the free test is conducted online at www.GoGetTested.com. Those testing should plan to refrain from eating, drinking or using tobacco products for a minimum of 15-20 minutes before testing. The LHA nurse recommends refraining for up to an hour before testing to ensure more accurate results.
The DSHS Dec. 12 COVID-19 dashboard showed only 60 fatalities, one less than was reported on Friday. While the DSHS dashboard did not provide any explanation for the change, close inspection of the “Fatalities over Time by County” report shows the COVID-19 death reported earlier this week to have occurred on Oct. 21 has been removed from the report, leaving 60 COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins County, including three deaths this month, one each on Dec. 1, Dec. 2 and Dec. 6.
COVID-19 hospitalizations accounted for 11.61 percent of the total capacity of all hospitals in Trauma Service Area F, which includes most of Northeast Texas including Hopkins County and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. That’s a small increase from 11.27 percent (124 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients) on Friday to 11.1 percent (130 patients) of the total TSA-F capacity on Saturday, Dec. 12.
In TSA-F, there were 1,120 staffed hospital beds, 20 more than on Dec. 11, but still 75 less than on Dec. 9; 523 total hospitalizations, down from 612 on Dec. 11 and 632 on Dec. 4; and 1,029 staffed inpatient beds, 29 more than on Friday.
For the third consecutive day, TSA-F had only five ventilators. Also available Dec. 12 in Trauma Service Area F were 63 ventilators, four more than on Friday, but seven less than on Wednesday and one less than on Dec. 8 and Dec. 10. Overall, there were 406 beds available in TSA-F on Saturday, which is nine more beds available than on Friday, Dec. 11, and 54 more than on Friday, Dec. 4.
3 Arrested On Warrants Friday Night
Three people were arrested on warrants Friday night, December 11, 2020. A traffic stop resulted in a 61-year-old Emory man’s arrest on traffic warrants and two controlled substance charges, and two wanted people were jailed in Sulphur Springs on warrants.
Sulphur Springs Warrant Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Drew Fisher reported locating Janie Natasha Crist at a Fuller Street residence at 9:09 p.m. Dec. 11. The 39-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was taken into custody for violation of probation, which she was on for a manufacture or delivery 1-4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance; the offense was alleged to have occurred on Dec. 4 in Hopkins County.
The arrest is the second time this month that Crist has been jailed. She was booked Dec. 3 on a warrant for the manufacture or delivery charge, according to jail reports. She remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday on the violation of probation charge.
Steward and Fisher also took Ronnie Wayne Waddell into custody at 9:09 p.m. Dec. 11. He was arrested on warrants for injury to a child or elderly person, not paying open container fine, two driving while license invalid and two failure to maintain financial responsibility charges. The insurance and DWLI charges date back to January and March of 2019. At least one other charge was alleged in arrest reports to have occurred in July 2019.
Waddell remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday afternoon. Bond on the injury to a child disabled or elderly person charge was set at $30,000.
County Road 1104 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson reported stopping a Nissan Altima at 9:47 p.m. on County Road 1104 at Briarwood when a records check showed the car’s registration expired in February 2019. Upon contact with the driver, Wilkerson noted the man to be making furtive movements and showed signs of bruxism, which can be associated with narcotic use.
A search of the car allegedly yielded one bag containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine and another small bag with three different colored pills suspected to be MDMA. When asked, the driver allegedly admitted the substance was methamphetamine. Truman Leon Pope Jr. and the contraband were taken into custody at 10 p.m. Dec. 11, 2020. Drug paraphernalia, including more than one hypodermic needle, was also allegedly located during an inventory of the vehicle prior to impound.
Further investigation revealed the vehicle displayed fictitious license plates; the correct vehicle registration expired in June 2018, according Wilkerson wrote in arrest reports. The suspected MDMA weighed 0.823 gram, including packaging, and the crystal-like substance field-tested positive for meth and weighed 0.577 gram, including packaging.
Consequently, Pope was jailed on one possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and one possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge. The 61-year-old Emory man was released from jail Saturday afternoon, Dec. 12, on $5,000 bond per controlled substance charge. Pope also was arrested on warrants for five outstanding traffic charges.
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 District Road Report for the Week of December 14, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Dec. 14, 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 14 through 18, the Center Street intersection at US 75 will continue to 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 after the new year for the Houston Street, Washington Street, and Lamar Street intersections. The Houston Street intersection work is currently scheduled for the week of January 4 through 9. 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 21 and 22 starting at 7:30 pm in order to set bridge beams for the new US 75 northbound frontage road bridge. During this closure, mainlane traffic will be detoured onto the frontage road. 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.
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 697, Grayson County: between FM 2729 and US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
SH 56, Grayson County: between SH 11 and the Fannin County line. 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 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.
Weather permitting, on December 16 westbound US 82 traffic will be moved to the new travel lanes between County Road 2975 and SH 121. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while construction crews begin work on the inside lane, building the crossovers and left 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.
FM 274, Fannin County: between FM 3321 and FM 1753. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
SH 56, Fannin County: between FM 897 and FM 1396. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform spot milling on 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 (Church St.), Lamar County: from FM 1507 (Jefferson Road) to South Loop 286. Watch for lane closures while crews perform full-depth concrete repairs. The contractor anticipates finishing repairs to SH 19 and beginning work on Loop 286 around midweek.
BU 82H (Bonham Street/Lamar Avenue), Lamar County: from 19th Street SW to 33rd Street SE. Watch for crews performing safety improvements to traffic signals.
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 (in 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 pouring drill shafts and structural abutments at this location. 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. Crews will also be overlaying various locations on SH 66 and the I-30 frontage roads. 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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